Smith's fantasy value has remained relatively stagnant through his first three years in the Association. The No. 3 overall pick from 2022 has taken steps forward in some areas, and arguably steps back in others. Perhaps the most concerning trend is that his assists-included usage rate has declined each season, and a significant spike in efficiency compared to his sophomore year didn't materialize. In 30.1 minutes per game last season, Smith averaged 12.2 points and 1.7 threes on 44/35/83 shooting, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals. He remains mostly a spot-up shooter offensively and hasn't made sizable strides as a self-creator or playmaker for others. And while the Auburn product is a good, versatile defender, that's not reflected in his steals or blocks production. Plus, he was moved to the bench at the end of last season to accommodate Amen Thompson's breakout. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks being swapped out for Kevin Durant, Smith should move back into the starting five. But that doesn't mean more shots will be available for him. He's the least offensively talented player in the projected starting five. Smith's real-life potential this season as a winning player on a good team is probably higher than his fantasy value. Optimistic fantasy managers could take Smith inside the top 100, but it's probably not necessary, if it's even necessary to draft him at all. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a five-year, $122 million contract extension with the Rockets in July of 2025.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
Jabari Montsho Smith Jr. was born May 13, 2003 in Tyrone, Georgia. His father played four seasons in the NBA and also played overseas. They younger Smith began playing varsity basketball as a sophomore at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone. As a junior, he averaged 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. As a senior, Smith averaged 24 points, 10 boards, three steals and three blocks per game and led his team to a Class 3A state runner-up finish. He was named Mr. Georgia Basketball, Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Classification Player of the Year, plus was selected to the rosters of the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. Smith also represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Brazil, where he averaged 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest on the way to the gold medal. A five-star recruit, Smith committed to play collegiately at Auburn. Starting 33 of his 34 appearances, Smith averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 28.8 minutes per contest as a freshman (2021-22). He was named NABC Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year, plus was on The Wooden Award All American Team and was Consensus All-American Second Team. Smith then declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, where he was selected third overall by the Houston Rockets.
ANALYSIS Smith did not play in the back leg of the Rockets' back-to-back set against the Trail Blazers on Friday due to a right ankle sprain. The 2022 first-rounder isn't listed on the injury report, which means Reed Sheppard will likely revert to a bench role for Sunday's contest.
2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Vs Opp
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - By Result
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Advanced Stats
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2025
2024
2023
2022
Stat Review
How does Jabari Smith compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
56.8%
Effective Field Goal %
54.0%
3-Point Attempt Rate
49.2%
Free Throw Rate
21.2%
Offensive Rebound %
4.9%
Defensive Rebound %
16.7%
Total Rebound %
10.9%
Assist %
7.1%
Steal %
1.0%
Block %
2.6%
Turnover %
8.1%
Usage %
17.8%
Fantasy Points Per Game
30.3
Fantasy Points Per Minute
0.9
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Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
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NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
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Historical ADP
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Rockets Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Jabari Smith was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
Smith made the All-Rookie Second Team after being selected No. 3 overall in 2022, and he rounded out the edges to his game last year. Seeing just 0.9 more minutes per game (31.9), he reached career-high averages in points (13.7), rebounds (8.1), assists (1.6), steals (0.7) and all three of his shooting percentages (45/36/81). Managers who selected him around the 100th pick in fantasy leagues last year ultimately got a fine return on investment, but he didn't quite pop like optimists hoped he would. The team's usage was dominated by Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Dillon Brooks wasn't shy about shooting, either, leaving Smith as effectively the fourth or fifth option when all the starters were in. Optimists and pessimists alike have to answer the same question this year: What about that situation has changed? All four starters are returning, while young bench options like Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason have shown promise. That's before we get to No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard, who projects to be a playmaker, too. It would be wrong to write off Smith as a finished product, but it may be another season where his improvements really only show up on the margins. It will be difficult for him to usurp VanVleet, Green or Sengun in the pecking order. As of right now, he projects to be more valuable in fantasy as a long-term keeper piece, rather than a redraft piece.
Smith, the No. 3 overall pick in 2022, was a solid rebounder as a rookie and posted 7.7 boards per game, but he struggled with his offensive efficiency (40.8/30.7/78.6 shooting splits) and looked overmatched on both ends of the court at times. He was just 19 years old, so it's understandable he went through some growing pains, but Houston is expecting more out of the Auburn product in Year 2. Surprisingly, Smith was sent back to Summer League this year, but he quickly proved he had graduated from that level of play by posting stellar all-around numbers. The 6-foot-11 forward will look to build off that production during the regular season, but the Rockets' rotation will look much different in 2023-24 after the offseason additions of Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Smith's starting spot in the frontcourt next to Alperen Sengun is presumably secure, but it'll be interesting to see how the usage is divided up considering fellow returnees Jalen Green and Kevin Porter are also ball-dominant players. While the addition of veteran guards likely means Smith will have the ball less in 2023-24, it could also result in easier buckets for the talented finisher. Smith was drafted with the third pick because he can do everything, but he may have to focus on his rebounding and defensive production before expanding his offensive repertoire at the NBA level.
While the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft drew mixed reviews in Summer League, he will almost certainly open the year as Houston's starting power forward next to Alperen Sengun. In terms of his basketball situation, Smith should be in a great position to see a ton of minutes as a rookie. Houston moving on from Christian Wood clears the way for a Sengun-Smith frontcourt of the future, and there is not much depth beyond that pairing. However, Smith could begin the year as the No. 4 option behind Jalen Green, Kevin Porter and even Sengun. Smith is not an inherently ball-dominant player, so where he settles in that pecking order will be with monitoring very closely early in the season. Ultimately, he's a rookie with a relatively high floor but also a relatively low ceiling.
More Fantasy News
Ruled out Friday
FHouston Rockets
Ankle
March 6, 2026
Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Portland.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Questionable for Friday
FHouston Rockets
Ankle
March 6, 2026
Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Logs big minutes in return
FHouston Rockets
March 6, 2026
Smith (ankle) registered three points (0-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 42 minutes Thursday in the Rockets' 115-113 overtime loss to the Warriors.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Upgraded to available
FHouston Rockets
March 5, 2026
Smith (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Warriors.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Listed questionable for Thursday
FHouston Rockets
Ankle
March 4, 2026
Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Warriors.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Confirmed to be starter
FHouston Rockets
October 4, 2025
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said Saturday that he's already penciled in Smith as a starter this season, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
ANALYSIS When asked the question, there was no hesitation in Udoka's voice. Smith said at Media Day that he was targeting a starting spot, and it appears he earned it in training camp. By most accounts, it seems like Smith has been leaning into Kevin Durant's experience and could be poised for a breakout season in Houston.