Jabari Smith reacts to Kevin Durant comparisons

Jabari Smith is in the midst of a star-making season at Auburn. The star Auburn forward has played so well leading the Tigers throughout the season, that Smith is even drawing comparisons to NBA star Kevin Durant.

After leading Auburn to a victory over Jacksonville State in the 1st Round of the NCAA Tournament, Smith reacted to the comparisons to Durant.

“It makes me feel kind of good about myself a little bit,” stated Smith, via Tom Green of AL.com. “But I’m a long way from him.”

On the season, Smith has earned his comparisons to the former NBA Finals MVP. The Auburn star is averaging 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. His sheer ability has NBA decision-makers salivating, as Smith is the favorite to go No. 1 in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Still, there’s plenty of time before Smith has to worry about that. Right now, he’s focused on leading Auburn passed Miami and into the Sweet 16, and going even farther in the NCAA Tournament. If he can do so, he’ll etch his name in history with the Tigers.

There’s no better way for Jabari Smith to prove the Kevin Durant comparisons right than leading his team to a title. Time will tell if Smith can do it for Auburn in the NCAA Tournament.

WATCH: Jabari Smith slam caps impressive opening win for Auburn basketball

Moreover, Auburn cruised to a win in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament over Jacksonville State, taking home the 80-61 victory on Friday. Freshman Jabari Smith ended the game on an extremely high note. Smith grabbed a rebound at the top of the key, dribbled in, and finished with a poster dunk to put an emphasis on Auburn’s impressive win.

The dunk left essentially everyone in attendance speechless, including his coaches and teammates on the bench.

JABARI SMITH FOR THE LOVE OF ELEVATION pic.twitter.com/IXlERkfByy

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 18, 2022

Following Auburn’s NCAA Tournament opening round win, Walker Kessler and Bruce Pearl talked to Tracy Wolfson of CBS on the court. Fresh off of Smith’s impressive dunk, it’s safe to say that Kessler was speechless.

“I mean, enough said,” Kessler said after a long pause. “I mean he’s such an athlete, I wish I could do that.”

Pearl had a great response to the play as he stood next to Kessler after the game.

“You can do that,” Pearl told Kessler. “Here’s my reaction. You can’t say anything.”

Good times are rolling for Auburn. Now, Jabari Smith and the Tigers have to keep it up.