Pre-Draft Journey - Tyler Smith
Check in with top 2024 NBA Draft prospect Tyler Smith as he reflects on his offseason growth and season with G League Ignite ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Overview
Smith was born in New Orleans but relocated to Houston with his family after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He blossomed into a five-star recruit and took his talents to the Overtime Elite program, opting for OTE over Kansas, Baylor, Texas and others. Following two campaigns at OTE, the 19-year-old joined the G League Ignite in 2023-24, generating 0.969 points per possession, which ranked in the 73rd percentile among all G League players, despite the Ignite finishing with a ghastly 7-45 record in total. In addition to his scoring efficiency, Smith chipped in 5.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks while logging just 23.3 minutes per game.
Analysis
A true power forward who will hit threes and be a constant lob threat, Smith’s services are always a positional commodity. Smith is best when he can get downhill out of pick-and-roll, setting up dunks and showcasing his fluidity and ambidexterity. He is worse at finishing in traffic, converting just 49.1 percent of his layups, which ranked in the 24th percentile among all G League players. Smith knocking down 37.7 percent of 180 catch-and-shoot threes this year must be respected and is extremely gravitational for a frontcourt player. A 56:53 AST:TO ratio is a strong starting foundation for his offensive processing, especially in the context of an Ignite environment that could be dysfunctional at times.
Projection
Smith exits the 2024 NBA Combine with nearly identical measurements to John Collins, emblematic of the his next-level athleticism. If Smith improves his technique as a finisher, he has serious upside as an elite role player and/or capable starter. His physical profile makes him an impactful offensive rebounder, multi-level defender and screener — with athleticism and shooting to be a dynamic offensive weapon via rolling and popping after screening. Smith runs the floor hard and is a fiery competitor. Smith is best viewed as a play-finisher, but the iteration of Christian Wood who averaged 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals plus blocks in 2021-22 across a full season with Houston is the ceiling for Smith. An all-around impact similar to Tari Eason is also on the table. Smith’s ability to defend on the wings is indicative of his modern-day skills, but 2005 No.2 overall pick Marvin Williams’ late-career balance can be drawn as a parallel to Smith, as well.
— Profile by RotoWire