Jabari Smith picked #1 overall in 2022 NBA Draft by NY Knicks in SCIC mock

Jabari Smith’s greatness is undeniable.

The 18-year-old out of Fayetteville, Georgia has spectacularly exceeded all expectations in his perhaps one and only season on the Plains, and the perennial SEC Freshman of the Week is destined for a multi-million dollar contract this coming summer regardless of where Auburn ends up in March Madness.

There’s no reason to believe it won’t be deep as a #1 seed. It doesn’t matter, though, when it comes to the commas in Smith’s future.

Sir Charles in Charge’s Michael Saenz projected the Tigers big man as the #1 overall pick to the New York Knicks in his latest mock draft:

"1. New York Knicks – Jabari Smith Jr., F, AuburnEven with Julius Randle still on the roster, the New York Knicks shouldn’t overthink their selection should they land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Jabari Smith Jr. may not be the best overall player at the moment in college basketball, but coupled with his skill-set I believe he has the greatest ceiling.During his freshman season at Auburn, Smith is averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per game on 40 percent shooting from 3-point range.I don’t want to sound mean or like a hater, but I feel like Smith has the potential to be everything that Randle wants to be or that the Knicks thought he would develop into this season. This is an easy one for New York, should they land the No. 1 pick."

I love the comment that Jabari Smith is everything the University of Kentucky’s own Julius Randle wants to be. It’s the exact sort of bulletin board material Wildcat fans need this season after a dismal social media showing before and after the team’s highly-rated matchup against AU at the Auburn Arena.

Expect Smith at the top of most mock NBA Draft boards in the coming months.