Nick Smith Jr. 2023 NBA Draft Profile (Combine Results, Measurements and Scouting Report for Arkansas Guard)

Nick Smith Jr. 2023 NBA Draft Profile (Combine Results, Measurements and Scouting Report for Arkansas Guard)

Updated:

Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. enters the 2023 NBA Draft as one of the clear-cut top prospects available. Boasting a deep bag of offensive moves, great bounce and a long frame, the potential is there for Smith to become a star at the next level.

Here's everything you need to know about Nick Smith Jr. before the 2023 NBA Draft.

Nick Smith Jr. Scouting Report and Draft Prediction

Nick Smith Jr. is a polarizing name in this year's draft class. On one hand, he has the intangibles needed to be an NBA star as his large frame and change of direction skills provide him with an array of skills. On the other hand, he battled knee injuries during his time at Arkansas and was never truly able to put it all together. That's what makes it interesting to see where he lands come June 22.

Despite getting sidelined at times, Smith Jr. still finished his lone season with the Razorbacks averaging 12.5 points, 1.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds across 17 games played. He shot the ball relatively well from beyond the arc (33.8%), which is notable considering he will not be asked to solely drive to the hoop at the NBA level. He regularly played bigger than his physical size suggests as well.

Smith is far from a perfect prospect, though, as his springy legs and bounce could be questioned due to his past knee issues. He will need to prove to an NBA coaching staff that he can stay on the court. Building on his 6-foot-5 frame would do wonders for his game, too, given he was outperformed on the boards as a Razorback. His average of 1.6 rebounds per game won't cut it, even coming off the bench.

Overall, drafting Smith is all about trusting his upside. He can score with the ball in his hands no matter where he is on the court, whether that is down low or in the mid-range or along the perimeter. The Toronto Raptors line up as a potential landing spot given their dominance along the wings has helped them find success over the years. Losing Fred VanVleet in free agency would create a hole.

Prediction: Toronto Raptors (Round 1, 13th overall)

Nick Smith Jr. NBA Draft Combine Results

Measurement

Result

Height (without shoes)

6'5"

Weight

185 lbs

Wingspan

-

Hand Length

-

Standing Reach

-

Nick Smith Jr. Arkansas Stats

Season

PPG

RPG

APG

FG%

3P%

FT%

SPG

BPG

2022-23

12.5

1.6

1.7

37.6%

33.8%

74.0%

0.8

0.1

Nick Smith Jr. Arkansas Highlights

What is Nick Smith Jr.'s vertical?

Nick Smith Jr. did not participate in agility drills at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine but has the length and speed to make an impact at the next level. That was apparent during his time at Arkansas.

How tall is Nick Smith Jr.?

Nick Smith Jr. is listed at 6'5" on Arkansas' official roster. It's a mark that sits above average in comparison to guards across the NBA landscape.

What is Nick Smith Jr.'s wingspan?

Nick Smith Jr. did not participate in any NBA Draft combine drills or measurements. It is worth pointing out that the average wingspan among NBA guards is around the 6'7" mark, though.

How old is Nick Smith Jr.?

Nick Smith Jr. is 19 years old, making him one of the younger prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft. He was born on April 18, 2004.

Where is Nick Smith Jr. from?

Nick Smith Jr. was born and raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and began his basketball career at Sylvan Hills High School. He transferred to North Little Rock High School prior to his senior season and led the team to a Class 6A State Championship. He was praised as a five-star recruit before committing to play at Arkansas.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.