Born on May 13, 2003, Jabari Montsho Smith Jr. is an American basketball power forward for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born to parents Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell in Fayetteville, Georgia, Smith began playing basketball at the tender age of five.
He attended Sandy Creek School, in Tyrone, Georgia, and committed to playing college basketball for the Auburn Tigers. He was awarded numerous honors during his freshman season in college, including being named the USBWA Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-SEC first team, and a second-team All-American. After just one season in Auburn, Smith declared himself for the 2022 NBA draft.
Projected as a top-three selection, Smith was eventually drafted by the third overall pick by the Houston Rockets. In a total of 79 games with the Rockets in his debut season, Smith averaged 12.8 points with 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He was named on the All-Rookie Second team in 2023.
Internationally, Smith has competed at the 2019 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Brazil for Team USA. He won gold with them and averaged 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game during the competition.
Jabari Smith Age
Smith is currently 20 years old and was born on May 13, 2003. He was born in Fayetteville, Georgia, to parents Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell. His father also played basketball, most notably for the Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Nets in the NBA, and stints outside the US (Spain, Turkey, Iran, and Puerto Rico).
Smith was brought up in Tyrone, Georgia, and attended the Sandy Creek High School up there. He averaged 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game as a junior, and 24 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks per game as a senior. Smith was voted Mr. Georgia Basketball and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior year.
Who did Jabari Smith Jr. play for before the Houston Rockets?
Smith was drafted into the league by the Houston Rockets in the 2022 NBA draft, and they are the only team he has played for in the NBA. He averages 12.8/7.2/1.3 in points, rebounds, and assists in 99 games with them.
What college did Jabari Smith Jr. attend?
Smith went to Auburn where he played college basketball for their team, the Auburn Tigers. He averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and two assists per game as a freshman. He led the Tigers to an SEC regular season championship. He won multiple accolades during the season, including being named the USBWA Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-SEC first team, and a second-team All-American. Smith declared himself ready for the 2022 NBA draft at the end of his freshman season and was projected a top-three selection in the 2022 NBA draft.
FAQs
A. Jabari Smith Jr. was born on May 13, 2003, and is 20 years old as of December 2023.
A. Jabari Smith Jr. was born in Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S. to parents Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell.
A. Jabari Smith Jr. played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers.
A. Jabari Smith Jr. plays as a power forward for the Houston Rockets.
A. Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell are the parents of Jabari Smith Jr.
