It was a fairly productive 2022 summer league for prized rookie prospect Jabari Smith Jr., drafted at No. 3 overall in the first round by the Rockets. While he struggled at times with his jump shot — almost certainly an issue of sample size, given his elite history as a shooter in college — Smith showed enough on defense and in his contributions to team play to earn strong reviews for his performance.
Since then, however, Smith has diligently worked out for more than two months in Houston alongside his new teammates and coaches with the Rockets. Based on that progress, which includes a daily workout regimen to add strength, the 19-year-old forward expects to feel like a different player when he next takes the court in an organized NBA game for Houston’s Oct. 2 preseason opener.
