Jabari Smith responds to comparison to NBA superstar

Most basketball players – at any level – have looked up to certain NBA stars throughout their careers, trying to model their game after them in hopes of one day being at that same level. For Auburn standout Jabari Smith, he was recently compared to NBA superstar Kevin Durant by Jacksonville State head coach Ray Harper following the Tigers’ matchup with Harper’s team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Following Harper’s comments, Smith was asked about the opposing coach’s comments on his game and shared what it meant to him – while also making it clear that Durant is a player he indeed follows closely.

“Yeah, it’s real,” Smith said. “It made me feel kind of good about myself a little bit. I’m a long way from him and a long way from what he can do on the court. I just listen to it, keep watching him, keep learning from him. Not necessarily modeling my game after him, but still taking stuff from him, looking up to him, and just learning from him at the end of the day.”

Smith, just as he’s done all throughout the season, played at a high level in No. 2 seeded Auburn’s 80-61 win over No. 15 Jacksonville State – scoring 20 points and pulling down 14 rebounds to lead the way for the Tigers. Heading into Sunday’s second-round meeting with No. 10 Miami, Smith is averaging 17.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on 43.8% shooting from the field.

No. 2 Auburn and No. 10 Miami are scheduled to tipoff at 7:45 p.m. ET at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. TruTV will be carrying the national broadcast.

K.D. Johnson discusses what has changed since SEC Tournament disappointment

Coming into Sunday’s contest, Auburn guard K.D. Johnson met with the media and discussed what has changed for him since Auburn’s SEC Tournament loss to Texas A&M – a game in which he shot 0-for-14 from the field, 0-for-6 from three-point range and failed to score a single point in 26 minutes of action. It was the only time Johnson had been held scoreless during the 2021-22 season.

After his disappointing showing in the conference tournament, Johnson is back on track – having scored 10 points to go along with seven assists and five rebounds in Auburn’s win over Jacksonville State. The guard is now averaging 12.3 points per game heading into the Tigers’ second round meeting with Miami.

“I just let it come to me,” Johnson said of what’s different for him in the NCAA Tournament. “I’ve been having a little problem with my hand, so my shooting has been a little off. I’m just looking to get my teammates more involved and let it come to me.”