Jalen Smith
To be quite honest, I don’t know why Jalen Smith isn’t slated to go to the Boston Celtics on every single mock draft. He fits the mold of everything the team could possibly need at the center position.
Listed at 6-10 the big has shown the ability to bang down low while also proving more than capable of stepping out from inside the paint — unlike many of the other bigs in this year’s class — and stretch the floor all the way to the perimeter.
Through 31 games played Smith put up impressive averages of 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game on 54 percent shooting from the floor and 37 percent shooting from deep on a cool 2.8 attempts.
Offensively, he showed often that he could put the moves on a defender when in the post while also creating for himself with his ability to put the ball on the floor.
Defensively he’s proved agile and allusive enough to stay with his man while also proving to have a knack for swatting shots.
Listed at just 225 pounds, Smith would obviously need to put on some size if he wants to legitimately compete against other NBA bigs, but with his size, coupled with his skillset, it might be too hard for the C’s to pass on the 20 year old.
In 2019-20 Smith received honors of Big 10 All-Defensive Team, First-Team All-Big 10 and found himself on the All-American Third-Team.
If he can pack on some weight, the Boston Celtics could very easily nab a quality long term piece in their front court with Jalen Smith.