NBA Comparison: Zhaire Smith/Anthony Peeler

Strengths:  A supremely athletic and explosive 2-guard who exceeded expectations in his one year at Duke … A highlight waiting to happen, he is a bouncy ball in high tops with his incredible ability to elevate … High level transition player, gets out in the open floor and makes a lot of plays at the rim … Explosive finisher. Great ally oop dunker … Shows an innate ability to catch the ball with one hand, corral it and finish … Made solid progress as a spot up shooter and did a pretty good job of creating space by staying active off the ball … Showed some ability to post up, smaller or less athletic players and seal them for entry passes and finish with dunks off two feet … Can go off one or two feet equally effective … Solid form on his shot … Showed some ability to attack the basket off the dribble … Solid on ball defender … Very strong frame, powerful build … Good rebounder for a guard, 4.9 per game, making use of his explosiveness and strength ..

Weaknesses: Ball skills are a work in progress. Scores most of his baskets in transition and on catch and shoot … Lacks great handles and passing ability … Should improve on his iso ability and ability to create off the dribble … Older for a freshman, having turned 21 in August … Lacks great length with just a 6’7 wingspan. 8’3.5 standing reach, solid but not standout for a wing … Not a great passer, showing limited vision and ability to find teammates when he has the ball … Somewhat turnover prone when handling the ball. Handles need to become more refined … Defensive awareness … Needs to get more disciplined defensively. Solid, but not a standout shooter. 73% from the FT line, 36% from 3 … Consistency was a little sporadic, hit a lull in December/January with five straight single digit games … Court awareness … Can be too aggressive at times, dribbling into double teams or not recognizing defenses collapsing on him soon enough …

Overall: Averaged 12.6 ppg, good for 3rd on the Blue Devils team … A shooting guard with intrigue due to his elite leaping ability and athleticism … Projected as a likely second rounder, but could surprise and sneak into the late first with a team falling in love with his athleticism …

Notes: Measured: 6’5.00” barefoot, 6’6.25” in shoes, 8’3.50” standing reach, 201.6 lbs, 6’7.00” wingspan at the 2020 NBA Draft Combine … Native of Los Angeles, CA … Was a family friend of Kobe Bryant, having met him as a youth and maintained contact through this season … Rated 32nd entering college by ESPN, 39th by Rivals, 37th by 247Sports … Measured 6’3.5 without shoes, 6’5.5 with shoes, 170 lbs, with a 6’6 wingspan and 8’3 standing reach at the 2014 USA Junior National Team Mini Camp

Aran Smith 11/14/20