‘21 GA PF Jabari Smith (Auburn commit)

#5
#5
Let's just hope Bruce doesn't lure him to the Plains with his BBQ. Auburn probably the main competition but there's always the loyalty of staying in State too even if Dawgs aren't that good of a team. Being in the top 3 on most of these 5 Stars is a good sign.
 
#6
#6
Something to watch is that with Auburn part of the attraction was them landing JD Davison, a Top 25 overall player and Top 2 PG, he was Smith’s AAU teammate...many had him pegged for Auburn but recent talk says LSU leads for him.
 
#7
#7
Something to watch is that with Auburn part of the attraction was them landing JD Davison, a Top 25 overall player and Top 2 PG, he was Smith’s AAU teammate...many had him pegged for Auburn but recent talk says LSU leads for him.
I wonder if that makes LSU more appealing to Smith? That is where his dad played.
 
#9
#9
I wonder if that makes LSU more appealing to Smith? That is where his dad played.
That’s possible. Supposedly his family being able to watch him play is a factor which would make LSU tricky, and makes sense for the presumed Top 3 of Auburn, UGA and UT.
 
#11
#11
I know it's been said by everyone else already but Smith is so critical for this class after the Banchero news. I really hope the staff's ability to refocus resources and time on Smith will end up paying dividends. I haven't heard much from VQ lately on where we stand with Smith. Their next update will be interesting.
 
#12
#12
Sounds like we’re really prioritizing Smith, Bediako and Mashack. Closing with those 3 would be a dream finish
 
#13
#13
I know it's been said by everyone else already but Smith is so critical for this class after the Banchero news. I really hope the staff's ability to refocus resources and time on Smith will end up paying dividends. I haven't heard much from VQ lately on where we stand with Smith. Their next update will be interesting.
I think your first sentence is a little “overreactionary”...if they miss on Smith but land Mashack and Etienne whats the issue? What about Mashack and Bediako? You seem to almost be saying Smith is a must get, and while I would lobe to have him in this class I don’t think if we were to miss on him this class would be doomed.
 
#14
#14
I think your first sentence is a little “overreactionary”...if they miss on Smith but land Mashack and Etienne whats the issue? What about Mashack and Bediako? You seem to almost be saying Smith is a must get, and while I would lobe to have him in this class I don’t think if we were to miss on him this class would be doomed.
If the staffs first reaction immediately after Banchero committed was to contact Bediako (at least from what we know), then it sounds like he may be priority over Smith. Who knows
 
#15
#15
I think your first sentence is a little “overreactionary”...if they miss on Smith but land Mashack and Etienne whats the issue? What about Mashack and Bediako? You seem to almost be saying Smith is a must get, and while I would lobe to have him in this class I don’t think if we were to miss on him this class would be doomed.

Did I saw the word doomed? Did I say this class wouldn't be any good without Smith? I just think he is a critical piece. Etienne obviously isn't the player that Jabari Smith is. He's good but it's a different talent. I'm not saying anything about the class not being acceptable or not good if we miss on certain prospects, but I just think the outlook for the 2021 season will be a lot different depending on who is in it.

EDIT: If we miss on Smith, it's fine. It's not a scenario that means the class isn't any good. I just think Smith Jr. is the type of prospect that can change expectations for the 2021 season alongside Chandler.
 
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#16
#16
Need someone who can potentially step in and play meaningful minutes at the 5. Is Smith that kind of player? Bediako sounds raw. Maybe we look for someone to develop and hope to get someone through transfer. Right now still a lot of uncertainty between Uros and ORN.
 
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#17
#17
If the staffs first reaction immediately after Banchero committed was to contact Bediako (at least from what we know), then it sounds like he may be priority over Smith. Who knows
I think Smith and Banchero were both “no questions asked” takes, along with Chandler. Bediako might have been an insurance policy for Banchero. Not really a backup plan, but not necessarily the kind of kid that they invest the amount of time initially that they did with Banchero. With PB off the board, Bediako became more important. Smith has received and will continue to receive first rate attention from the staff. He and Bediako are not related in terms of staff attention in reaction to Banchero’s commitment to Duke. They are different kinds of players. I’d imagine both are immediate takes, but so certainly don’t believe the staff views Bediako as a priority over Smith. They want them both.
 
#18
#18
Need someone who can potentially step in and play meaningful minutes at the 5. Is Smith that kind of player? Bediako sounds raw. Maybe we look for someone to develop and hope to get someone through transfer. Right now still a lot of uncertainty between Uros and ORN.
Oh damn, didn’t even think about this. Will basketball be given the same eligibility ruling as football? If so, EJ will be eligible next year. As will Fulk if he wants it. Pons would go ahead and enter the draft. That would change things drastically
 
#19
#19
Need someone who can potentially step in and play meaningful minutes at the 5. Is Smith that kind of player? Bediako sounds raw. Maybe we look for someone to develop and hope to get someone through transfer. Right now still a lot of uncertainty between Uros and ORN.
Smith isn’t the type that is going to come in and play the 5 in a traditional sense. His game is much more Kevin Durant than it is Dwight Howard.
 
#20
#20
If the staffs first reaction immediately after Banchero committed was to contact Bediako (at least from what we know), then it sounds like he may be priority over Smith. Who knows
They’ve been in constant contact with Smith, and from what I’ve gathered Bediako as well, don’t think the zoom call was the result of a fallback type deal. When you’re only targeting 6-7 guys as priorities, all being Top 50, and wanting to take 3-4...you are unlikely to get them all.
 
#21
#21
I know it's been said by everyone else already but Smith is so critical for this class after the Banchero news. I really hope the staff's ability to refocus resources and time on Smith will end up paying dividends. I haven't heard much from VQ lately on where we stand with Smith. Their next update will be interesting.
I wouldn't take any stock in their update. No one knows. Trust the staff to do their best and let the chips fall where they may.
 
#22
#22
Did I saw the word doomed? Did I say this class wouldn't be any good without Smith? I just think he is a critical piece. Etienne obviously isn't the player that Jabari Smith is. He's good but it's a different talent. I'm not saying anything about the class not being acceptable or not good if we miss on certain prospects, but I just think the outlook for the 2021 season will be a lot different depending on who is in it.

EDIT: If we miss on Smith, it's fine. It's not a scenario that means the class isn't any good. I just think Smith Jr. is the type of prospect that can change expectations for the 2021 season alongside Chandler.

I don’t think Smith would necessarily bring something an elite transfer like say Kerry Blackshear...again not saying I prefer that route, simply stating I don’t think missing on Smith would be cause for any sort of definitive claim as you’ve suggested.
 
#23
#23
Need someone who can potentially step in and play meaningful minutes at the 5. Is Smith that kind of player? Bediako sounds raw. Maybe we look for someone to develop and hope to get someone through transfer. Right now still a lot of uncertainty between Uros and ORN.
Not sure I would call a Top 25 talent raw, when I hear raw I think Kyle Alexander...with that said, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the staff once again look at transfer big men next season. Also worth noting, if CBB gets impacted and NCAA does what they did with football it’s very likely Fulk could come back for another year, lots of uncertainty.
 
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#24
#24
Oh damn, didn’t even think about this. Will basketball be given the same eligibility ruling as football? If so, EJ will be eligible next year. As will Fulk if he wants it. Pons would go ahead and enter the draft. That would change things drastically
Was that just for fall sports? Or all sports this year?
 

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