Pro Hawgs: Nick Smith, Jr. selected in first round of NBA Draft

After an injury riddled season that kept him to only 17 games, Nick Smith, Jr. has been selected with the 27th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets.

The North Little Rock, (Ark.) native is the second Razorback chosen in the 2023 NBA Draft. That is a feat Arkansas hasn’t achieved with two players selected in the first round since 1992. That year Lee Mayberry, Oliver Miller and Todd Day were all selected in the first round.

Smith possesses an exciting brand of basketball. He is a very skilled athlete capable of being a ball dominant guard, coming off the dribble and even playing above the rim. Although he didn’t do much at the combine, Smith still impressed scouts during private workouts leading up to the draft.

Before the season, the 6’5 guard was projected to be drafted as high as a top five pick. Due to a knee injury his stock slipped a tad but still landed in the first round with a solid situation.

During his lone season in Fayetteville, Smith averaged 12.5 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 rebound per game. He is a willing shooter going 34-percent from deep on 4.2 attempts per game.

What Muss Said

In a recent interview with Aaron Torres, head coach Eric Musselman made sure to share how Smith, Jr. was in a tough place when returning from injury.

“If you have an early draft pick, you’ve really got to evaluate maybe the individual workouts. I know the agent workout that happens for their Pro Day. You really have to put a lot of stock in that because in reality, Nick Smith got hurt in our European Tour. He got hurt in our fourth game, which was our last game, and he was playing unbelievable before that.

“And then the injury was just kind of there, so I don’t think Arkansas Razorback fans, I don’t think that college basketball fans, and I certainly don’t think NBA evaluators got to see what they’re going to see in the future.”

It’s a sure thing to Musselman that Smith will have a very long and successful run in the NBA.