Contract terms between Jabari Smith, Houston Rockets revealed following 2022 NBA Draft
Former Auburn Tigers star Jabari Smith has secured a top-five draft slot and a small fortune after Thursday night’s 2022 NBA Draft. The Houston Rockets selected Smith with the No. 3 overall pick, despite pre-draft leaks that he was a “lock” to go No. 1 to the Orlando Magic.
“Jabari Smith is in line for a 2-year, $14.9M contract with the #Rockets, including 2 team options that max the deal at 4 years, $39M,” according to Spotrac. “Houston’s pending trade of Christian Wood to Dallas paves the way for Smith to step in right away.”
Smith is the highest draft pick in the history of the Auburn program. Chuck Person and Chris Morris were previously Auburn’s highest-ever NBA Draft Picks. Both were selected No. 4 in 1986 and 1988 respectively. Charles Barkley and Isaac Okoro were selected No. 5 in 1984 and 2020.
Smith reacts to selection by Houston Rockets
“What’s up H-Town? I’m here. I’m excited to be a Rocket. And y’all won’t regret it. I’m ready to get there and get to work! Let’s get it!” Smith said in the video after his pick at No. 3 overall.
Reporters asked the former Tiger if he was surprised that he didn’t go No. 1 after all the rumors.
“Definitely added a chip, but God makes no mistakes, so I’m happy to be here,” Smith said. “I’m happy to be where I’m wanted. I’m happy to get to Houston and just show them, give them what they picked. Just happy to be here.”
Heading into the draft, Smith was a consensus top-three pick after bursting onto the scene for Auburn this past season. He averaged 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 42.9% from the field, including 42% from three-point territory, as a freshman in 2021-22. As a result, he was named the National Freshman of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and was a second-team All-American.
Smith was a big piece for Auburn in 2021-22, helping lead the Tigers to a 28-6 overall record, a 15-3 record in SEC play and, at one point, the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking during the regular season. Auburn wound up as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament field, eventually falling to Miami in the round of 32.
Out of high school, Smith was a five-star recruit and the No. 6 prospect in the nation from the class of 2021, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.