Did JR Smith Make the Leap from High School to the NBA? Exploring His Journey

Did JR Smith Make the Leap from High School to the NBA? E...

By Edcel Panganiban August 23, 2024 15:18

Photo by Basketballforever.com

J.R. Smith had a storied high school basketball career. Smith's basketball journey began nomadically, as he attended multiple schools before finding his way to St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.

Smith showcased his athleticism and scoring touch at St. Benedict's. As a senior, he averaged 23.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and three assists per game, leading to McDonald's All-American accolades. He played particularly well in the 2004 McDonald's All-American Game and scored 25 points to win co-MVP honors with Dwight Howard.

Throughout his high school career, Smith was known for being a pure shooter with a range that stretches to 30 feet, quick-twitch athleticism, and the ability to take over games. Couple that with his size (6'6"), and it's easy to see why both college recruiters and NBA scouts were drooling over him. Smith was originally bound for North Carolina to play college basketball and presumably join a storied program under coach Roy Williams.

The buzz around Smith's NBA prospects gained momentum. His scores from 3 levels of the court enamored scouts, and his showings in high-profile all-star games only emboldened questions he may be ready to leap directly into professional basketball.

The Moment: Opting Out of College for the NBA Draft

When the 2004 NBA Draft was on the horizon, J.R. Smith was left at a crossroads. He also expanded his game and grew as a player at the University of North Carolina, which is arguably one of the finest college basketball programs in America calls home. On the other hand, the pull of NBA fame and a paycheck was understandable as well.

The factors of the final destination were an easy choice for Smith. At the top of that list was a showing in the McDonald's All-American Game. Being named MVP along with Dwight Howard, who many thought would be the first overall selection of that draft, gave Smith a boost because he felt his talents could compete with anyone.

Moreover, the success of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and other recent high school NBA players likely impacted Smith. These players showed that you could not only make it to the NBA with no college experience but also be successful.

But opting to forego college in favor of the draft can be a gamble. It was hard, as several players who had jumped straight from high school to the NBA looked overmatched physically and mentally in The Association. Questions about Smith centered on his immaturity and whether he was really ready for the demands of playing in the NBA.

It was always a risk for an NBA team to select someone directly out of high school, as was the potential for greatness, but that came along with millions of dollars in a player whose readiness was disputed on his ability to hold up over a National Football League season.

NBA Draft and Early Professional Life

While it came with liabilities, the potential to unleash J.R. Smith was tantalizing for NBA teams. He was drafted 18th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft. This pick slotted Smith squarely in the mid-lottery, indicative of his huge potential as well as questions about how ready he is to contribute right away at the NBA level.

Smith's first season in Hornets colors showed glimpses of what type of player he could evolve into. He played in the 2005 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he came in third and averaged 10.3 points per game. Those early accomplishments implied that Smith would adapt to the NBA quicker than many predicted.

The problem came soon after, though. Smith's production dipped in his second season, as his scoring average dropped to 7.7 points per game. That was worrisome, but stories about problems Smith had with Hornets coach Byron Scott's demands for a better work ethic and attitude were far more troubling to many executives.

It was also a stark reminder of how difficult the transition can be for many young players from high school to making it in the NBA. The league's physicality, along with executing offense and defense at its highest level, is a lot to throw on someone's plate during their rookie year, even with highly talented prospects.

After a 2006 trade to the Denver Nuggets, Smith's career began its road toward respectability. He became a high-scoring sixth man with sparkling shooting ability and the athleticism that had made him such an enticing prospect as a rookie in Denver.

Comparisons to Other High School-to-NBA Players

In a relative sense, Smith is in the middle of his peers. He never was the instant megastar LeBron James became, but he didn't come close to flaming out like other high school draftees. Instead, Smith made a long and productive but sometimes enigmatic NBA career.

One thing that stands out when comparing Smith to other high school kids who flamed out is the expectation and support. James and Bryant were higher draft picks and more featured early in their careers. Smith, a mid-1st rounder, had to earn his keep and validate himself, unlike the top picks.

The question of whether NBA teams should be allowed to draft players directly out of high school throughout their existence remained into the beginning years of Smith's career. Advocates said it would put exceptional talents on a faster path to the professional ranks, while critics cited developmental and maturity gaps in many young players.

The NBA and the players' union eventually reached an agreement in 2005 to revise draft eligibility rules so that players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of a particular draft, one season removed from high school. This alteration only propels Smith towards being the rarity of a direct high school to NBA leap, adding historical meaning to it all.

J.R. Smith's Transition and Legacy Assessment

Reflecting on J.R. Smith's path from high school to the NBA, it is obvious that he was not an unmitigated triumph or a disaster. He struggled early, never became the superstar some projected him to be, and instead blossomed into a long-term, impactful NBA player.

Smith averaged 12.4 points per game over 16 NBA seasons while winning titles (Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and Los Angeles Lakers last season). He blossomed as one of the league's best three-point shooters and was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2013.

Smith is a unique case of the promise and risks of skipping college to hoop. Questions of maturity and consistency followed him throughout his career, but there was no denying the raw talent that allowed him to play a major role in the league for as long as he did.

But his journey off the court is still evolving. In 2021, he attended North Carolina A&T State University and got the college education that had once passed him up. Such a choice underscores the complexities of going straight from high school to pro and how individuals can go in various directions during their personal or professional maturation.

J.R. Smith's jump from high school to the NBA was kind of a win in the end. Maybe he didn't become the player we all thought he was destined to be back in high school, but he figured it out and ground his way into a role player who has forever been etched inside our sport. As a player who had an adventure from collegiate star to potential draft bust, his journey serves as a captivating blueprint for all the hurdles and odors often faced by young athletes looking to make it in professional sports, even if where he ends up goes beyond just basketball.

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