Jabari Smith is happy he landed with the Houston Rockets, though he still can't believe he dropped to no. 3 in the 2022 NBA Draft. That much is clear in his interview with The Athletic after a rather eventful rookie selection on Thursday.
While Smith knew it's a possibility the draft order could be changed since many people see the top three picks as a coin toss between him, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero, the former Auburn Tigers standout admitted that he didn't see himself getting drafted last among the three. Besides heading to the draft, he was considered to go no. 1 while Holmgren was long expected to end up with the Oklahoma City Thunder at no. 2.
Interestingly, the Orlando Magic took Banchero at no. 1, while Smith ended up falling to three. For the 19-year-old forward, it's an added chip on his shoulder.
“I didn’t expect to drop this low, I would say,” Smith shared. “But when I heard my name called, all of that went away, and all my emotions let out. I’m happy to be in the NBA, happy to be a Houston Rocket. I’m just ready to come in with that chip on my shoulder, prove everybody wrong and put Houston on the map.”
Falling to no. 3 on the Rockets could be a huge blessing for Jabari Smith, though. After all, he'll be joining a Rockets team with a promising backcourt play headed by Jalen Green. His fit alongside Alperen Sengun looks interesting as well, as they can become a lethal offensive and defensive combo.
Getting a motivated Smith isn't bad at all for Houston as well. If anything, the youngster seems inspired even more to prove why the two teams that passed on him made a huge mistake.
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