Jabari Smith went No. 3 in the 2022 NBA Draft to the Houston Rockets, despite Adrian Wojnarowski’s reports that the top 3 picks were set in stone and that the Orlando Magic were ready to select the Auburn big man.
The Magic instead opted to draft Paolo Banchero, who the Rockets were reportedly enamored with at No. 3. Interestingly enough, Smith had never worked out for Houston in the 2022 NBA Draft pre-draft prospect. Only Orlando and Oklahoma City hosted Smith for a workout.
Auburn basketball fans weren’t thrilled with the Magic’s choice of Banchero over Smith in the slightest.
Some noted that Smith is ready to make Orlando pay for their poor draft-day decisions:
Jabari Smith is going to make this the worst day in Orlando Magic history
— Kyle (@AllAubarn) June 24, 2022
whoever gets Jabari Smith is going to get a pissed off superstar, I can tell you that
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith. Chip on his shoulder going into the NBA.
— Brian Stultz (@brianjstultz) June 24, 2022
Good luck, opponents.
Others optimistically pointed out that Smith will now be teaming with Jalen Green in the ‘Space City’:
tired: Jabari Smith and Chuma Okeke playing together in Orlando
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) June 24, 2022
wired: Jabari Smith and Auburn legend Jalen Green playing together in Houston
the Rockets won a league-low 20 games last season, but Jalen Green and Jabari Smith will be fun to watch once the season gets rolling https://t.co/9DOyCSkdTq
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith joins the same franchise Charles Barkley played for
The last Auburn basketball great to capture the imagination of NBA fans, Charles Barkley, also played for the Houston Rockets during the last of three stops during his 16-year career.
Smith has the chance to become the greatest Auburn alum in the history of the NBA, and Fly War Eagle says that without an ounce of hyperbole.