Auburn basketball: RW loves Jabari Smith fit with Alperen Sengun

Former Auburn basketball star Jabari Smith may ultimately benefit from the Orlando Magic setting fire to countless wagers on the day of the 2022 NBA Draft and passing on him with the No. 1 overall pick.

So might the Houston Rockets, who according to Rockets Wire’s John Hunter Crumpler, both dodged a bullet not ending up with Paolo Banchero (aka who the Magic passed on Smith for) and nabbed the ideal power forward next to their 2021 first-round center selection, Alperen Sengun.

As the Rockets Wire writer relayed, the all-time Tigers great has a complementary skillset to the offensive-leaning Turkish Tower.

Here’s how JHC described the fit between Sengun and Jabari Smith:

"“Instead of a clunky fit, it’s as if Houston was able to design the ideal power forward to play next to their No. 16 overall pick from 2021. Smith has the perfect defensive skillset to play next to Sengun and cover up any perceived defensive deficiencies on that end of the court. He’s far more instinctive on that end and can switch on to all positions. Best of all, at 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, offers more than enough length and strength to make a difference in the paint.”"

Jabari Smith could go on to have best NBA career of any 2022 draftee and Auburn basketball alum

Auburn basketball HC Bruce Pearl warned the two teams that passed on Jabari Smith during the 2022 NBA Draft (Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder) that revenge is a dish the No. 3 pick serves best cold:

"“Just go ahead and poke the bear. Just poke him. They poked him. I wouldn’t want to be Orlando or OKC in those matchups. That’s just how he is. He keeps score…. So, Jabari, he’s used to being overlooked a little bit. So, you know what? I’ll talk. He’ll walk. And we’ll see.”"

Pearl is supremely confident in his two Tiger draft picks–he said that Walker Kessler will have a better pro career than Chet Holmgren–and his confidence in Smith is evident in his direct callouts of two NBA front offices.