Milwaukee Bucks select Tyler Smith in 2024 NBA Draft

Tyler Smith is officially heading to the NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks selected him in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Smith put together solid numbers with the Ignite this past season. He averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds over 22.1 minutes while shooting 35% from three-point territory.

At 6-foot-10, Smith has the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability while also making his share of shots around the rim. Speaking with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, he broke down which players his game can compare to, and he could also see himself playing a key role in smaller lineups.

“Jabari Smith, Kyle Kuzma, Michael Porter Jr.; those are the types of players I see myself playing like,” Smith said. “Big wings who can space the floor and also play as small-ball 5s.”

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Tyler Smith

Smith entered the NBA Draft as a projected late-first or early second-round pick. His unique skillset makes him an interesting prospect, especially considering his success with the Ignite.

“Tyler Smith might be the one G-League Ignite player who did not see his stock drop significantly over the past year,” On3’s James Fletcher III wrote. “The 6-foot-11 forward showed off a unique set of skills. Shooting 35.2 percent from 3 and 74.2 percent on free throws helps project him as an offensive weapon, although his raw game still requires refinement on both ends.

“Smith has a wide range as well, perhaps wider than any other G-League player. A team could bet on upside in the late teens or pick him as the best available player in the second round.”

According to Rotowire, Smith could likely fit into a traditional power forward role and could help spread out the offense. That makes him a coveted player in the current NBA landscape.

“A true power forward who will hit threes and be a constant lob threat, Smith’s services are always a positional commodity,” Rotowire wrote. “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.