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Fans, media react to Maryland’s Jalen Smith going No. 10 overall in NBA draft
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Jaylen Smith parlayed two solid seasons at Maryland into becoming a top 10 NBA Draft pick on Wednesday night. Questions about his fit and ceiling remain, but it was still a huge moment for the former Maryland big man.
The moment he's dreamed about forever.
You deserve it all, @thejalen_smith. pic.twitter.com/gsBJjudrcn
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) November 19, 2020
The Phoenix Suns took Smith tenth overall, banking on his ability and upside. The potential is clearly there although it might take a season or two to continue to refine a player with size who still needs to work on his explosiveness.
Responses were mixed about him landing at the Suns and being taken so high. There was some clear excitement but also some questions about immediate fit and him being taken so high in the draft:
I love how Jalen Smith plays. Dude hustles so hard. Bright Future Suns fans are gonna fall in love with his shooting ability, you're gonna see Monty Williams running him off screens. A fun, quirky player. Average athlete, needs to improve on D, but I'd bet on high effort players.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 19, 2020
In an ideal world, Jalen Smith becomes a force at the 4 and pairs perfectly with DA.
But, right or wrong, I promise a day will come where folks will ask if Smith can be our 5 as we get closer to DA’s extension.
CP3’s 2 years will give us a definitive answer to that question.
— The Vanilla Gorilla 🦍 (@odddadbod) November 19, 2020
Jalen Smith will have some big shoes to fill as the University of Maryland has produced some All-time great Suns players like Alex Len, Jarrod Mustaff, Charles Pittman, and DJ Strawberry.
— CJ Caza (@Co__DHunt) November 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/AZSportsRealtor/status/1329448412480212992?s=20
Yes….BIG congrats to Jalen Smith!!! https://t.co/zJDl5IG2L1
— Tony Perkins (@TonyPerkinsFMTV) November 19, 2020
I'm happy for Jalen Smith as a Maryland fan, a Maryland native, and a wearer of rec specs pic.twitter.com/2fFCQHw65d
— Reese Waters (@reesewaters) November 19, 2020
Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith seem like the reaches of the draft
— Sam Belcher (@MagicColtsRedSx) November 19, 2020
Oh, and he can do this. Never forget that:
Wait… Jalen Smith can do THIS? pic.twitter.com/qhVqc7BuN3
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) November 19, 2020
Also, this:
This Jalen Smith sequence is still is still some of the most electrifying basketball I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/TOIpflw3aD
— Connor Newcomb (@ConnorNewcomb_) November 19, 2020
The speculation that Smith could end up with the Suns began before they picked. Adrian Wojnarowksi (who else?) had the scoop:
The Suns are targeting Jalen Smith at No. 10, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2020
Smith is coming off a season at Maryland where he progressed as a sophomore, averaging 15.5 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. He also had an impressive 2.4 blocks per game:
Whoa Jalen Smith is interesting for the Suns. NBA execs fully expect Aron Baynes to leave Phoenix (with New Orleans as a distinct possibility) so Smith can fill that stretch-5 role. I fully expect Monty Williams to use some double-big lineups too. Smith can stroke 3s like a wing. https://t.co/GwBxQiWtJR
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/CoachTurgeon/status/1329199781453983747?s=20
Yes….BIG congrats to Jalen Smith!!! https://t.co/zJDl5IG2L1
— Tony Perkins (@TonyPerkinsFMTV) November 19, 2020