Jabari Smith, Walker Kessler maintain highly-coveted status in latest mock draft

Smith leapfrogs Duke’s Paolo Banchero (more to come on him later this week) for the No. 2 spot in our Top 100 and, as we wrote in January, has an excellent chance to ultimately be the top pick in the draft if he continues on this trajectory throughout the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Givony and I got live looks at the 18-year-old within the past few weeks, and we were yet again blown away with his combination of defense and shooting versatility, continuing to torch opponents with pull-up 3s, step-backs, turnarounds and on-the-move jumpers thanks to his high release, footwork and feathery touch.

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Over his last 5 games Smith is averaging 19 points in just 29.4 minutes while shooting a blistering 53% from 3 on 6 attempts per game while defending multiple positions and playing with the type of intensity you don’t always see from elite prospects. On the flip side, his 2-point percentage continues to dip (44%), his ball handling and passing are still works in progress, and Smith has failed to reach double-digits scoring three times in his past 8 games. But the highs have been breathtaking, and Smith is about as close to a “no fail” type of prospect as you’ll find thanks to his stellar combination of defense, shooting and intangibles.

Chet Holmgren remains at No. 1 as he’s having a record-breaking season in terms of efficiency (72.7 true shooting percentage) while showing some downright silly flashes on both ends of the floor in WCC play, yet you won’t be hard-pressed to find high-ranking executives who view Smith as the clear top prospect in the draft. After spending time with Smith in Auburn, Alabama and breaking down film with him, he’ll only strengthen his case once he gets in front of NBA teams in the interview process. Ask him if he’s the best prospect in the draft, Smith calmly says: “I feel like I am.”

As for his ceiling?

“I think the ceiling’s very high,” Smith said. “I feel like my ability to guard 1 through 5 efficiently, being able to play so many different roles on a team. If you need me to stand in the corner, just play defense and shoot, I’ll do that. If you need me to make a play, I’ll do that. I don’t really care about stats. I just care about winning … With my potential and my work ethic, I just feel like my ceiling has no choice but to be high.” – Mike Schmitz

Here’s what ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said about Kessler in December:

December 22, 2021: (Mock Draft) — Sparsely used as a freshman at North Carolina, Kessler transferred to Auburn where he has turned into one of the better bigs in college. Now paired up with potential No. 1 pick Jabari Smith, the Tigers have one of the best frontcourts in the country and are sitting pretty with a 13-1 record.

Kessler has improved throughout the year, recording the first points-rebounds-blocks triple-double against a ranked opponent in more than 15 years. Kessler finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks in a win over LSU.

Kessler’s appeal starts with his dimensions, weighing 245 pounds with a 7-5 wingspan and a 9-3 standing reach. He towers over opponents, making him an outstanding target for pick-and-roll lobs, and shows reliable hands while catching pocket passes. He’s able to knock down turnaround jumpers and hook shots while demonstrating polished footwork around the basket or attacking closeouts from the perimeter with both hands. He also shows potential with his passing, especially out of high-low and short rolls where he has mostly made good decisions while flashing a feel for cutting to open spots.

Known for his shooting prowess in high school, he’s just a 19.2% shooter from 3 and 56% from the free throw line in his college career. Rediscovering his stroke would be notable; there are questions about whether he has the run-jump quickness and explosiveness to emerge as a major scorer at the NBA level, as there’s a bit of a robotic quality to his game in that he relies on his size to find advantages.

Where NBA teams will find Kessler most appealing is on defense, where he’s the No. 1 shot-blocker in the college game according to several metrics. He’s agile, slides his feet laterally and has proven capable of staying in front of smaller players with quick hip turns to contain opponents without fouling and then erase shots at the rim with timing and instincts. His mobility and smarts give Auburn flexibility covering pick-and-rolls depending on the opponent’s personnel, as he’s proven capable of handling hard hedges, drops and switches, or downing to the baseline. Naturally right-handed, most of Kessler’s blocks come with his left, as his hand-eye coordination and reaction time allow him to stay down on fakes and keep rejections in bounds, often recovering at the rim after initially appearing to get beat.

Entering SEC play, which features seven top-25 teams according to the ESPN BPI, will be a major opportunity for Kessler to solidify himself as a first-round prospect. Auburn’s only loss, and one of Kessler’s worst games of the season, came against a physical frontcourt opponent in UConn’s Adama Sanogo, which will make matchups with Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama intriguing.

With a great deal of NBA talent and a roster that looks capable of making a Final Four run, Auburn will be one of the most closely scouted teams in the country over the next three months. — Jonathan Givony