One of the top forward prospects in high school basketball, this spring was the time that Jabari Smith was expected to be cementing his standing as one of the faces of his 2021 graduating class. Instead, the coronavirus has halted his travel ball plans, though his recruitment has remained steady throughout.
In our latest Q&A with the five-star Smith, he discussed how he is remaining active this spring and the various suitors chasing after his ultimate commitment. Plus, he opens up about the latest blue blood to express interest in him, when he might commit and his thoughts about all that the G-League is now offering to prospects just like him.
Corey Evans (CE): You are supposed to be in the middle of your senior travel season but because of the pandemic, things remain shut down. What have you been doing to stay active?
Jabari Smith (JS): I actually have been still getting into the gym and doing a lot of conditioning, working on my body and eating right. Just making sure I am ready whenever things start back up.
CE: How has recruiting been for you in the meantime? Has everyone remained active with you despite this all?
JS: It hasn’t been any new schools that have jumped in except for maybe North Carolina. They have shown some interest but outside of that, no others have really jumped in. I wouldn’t say any schools backed off but it is more of the same schools that have been with me and on me the hardest.
CE: Who are those couple of schools then?
JS: Tennessee, Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn, I haven’t talked to Florida State in a while but they text me every now and again, and also Georgia Tech.
CE: You visited Tennessee officially this winter, which was the first that you took in such a type so far, but what did you think of that trip?
JS: It was pretty cool and it was better than I had expected for it to be. The coaching staff was really cool, I got to talk with a few of the players and they had good things to say about the coach, and overall, it was just a good visit. The area was nice and the feeling that I had while I was there, it was good so it was just pretty cool.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CE: What has been there primary sell with you? I know development is a key facet of that program and it rings true with you.
JS: Just that I would be able to show off various parts to my game if I were to go there and that the fan base, they have one of the biggest arenas in all of college basketball and just how they market their athletes there. They have also pitched a few others players that I might have the chance to play with and how he (Rick Barnes) coached Kevin Durant and that I have a game that is similar to his.
CE: You also visited Auburn unofficially and they have had great success in Atlanta, so what are your thoughts about that program?
JS: They are always known for getting Georgia guys and just recently started to win with them. I honestly think their program is headed to be one of the powerhouses and they get a lot of guys from Georgia and who wouldn’t want to play with someone like Sharife Cooper, one of the best point guards in the country. Just him going there, and they got JT (Thor), too, so the caliber of players they’re getting is really good and the coaching staff is great. It just felt like it was exploding whenever I was there.
CE: How about LSU? We have discussed in the past following in your dad’s footsteps by playing there, as well. What are your feelings for them?
JS: My dad has always said that this is my decision but honestly, I haven’t been down there to visit. I have talked to Coach (Will) Wade but I haven’t had the chance to get onto campus and see what it is like. They did have Naz Reid and I like to look at schools that had players similar to who I am so they had Naz, and have been winning recently and their program is looking really good.
CE: Ole Miss is making a run at things with you so what are your feelings about them and what do you know about the program?
JS: They are kind of like LSU where I don’t know a lot about them but Kermit (Davis) was on the coaching staff there whenever they were recruiting my dad so he always tells me stories about my dad and my dad tells me good stories about him. I think that is the biggest part that stands out about them.
CE: How about Georgia Tech? They have gotten better at getting the best in the state and have the chance to return to the NCAA Tournament next season.
JS: One thing is that it is right up the street; it is like a 45-minute drive from my house, if that, so it is right there. They are in the ACC and I wouldn’t have to go far to play in a big-time conference and Coach (Josh) Pastner, they were off to a really good year before it ended and they had some big wins this year. Some of the assistants know my dad well so it has been pretty cool.
CE: Georgia is another that has made it a priority to keep the best in the state. What do you think about Tom Crean and what they are doing over there?
JS: Coach Crean, he is a great coach from what I hear. They do say that he is kind of crazy but I would rather have a coach that is kind of crazy rather than being laid back and doesn’t care about you and won’t help you to get your game better. I think that is big with someone that will be on me whenever I go to school. It is in Georgia and just like Ant-Man (Anthony Edwards), him having the chance to be the first overall pick and being able to rep your home state, that is just a good feeling.
CE: Lastly, you brought up North Carolina and their recent interest in you. What all have they been telling you?
JS: They have just been telling me how they win down there and that they get a lot of guys to the league. They just say stuff like that and the pedigree of the coaching staff and the fans there.
CE: What have they told you as far as getting an offer?
JS: I am not sure. I am supposed to talk with Coach (Roy) Williams soon but he hasn’t given me a call yet so I haven’t been able to talk to him. Whenever I do, I should know how close I am to getting the offer.
CE: You’ve taken one official visit so far to Tennessee and can’t really do a whole lot until June 1, at the earliest. How do you want all this to play out from this day forward?
JS: Basically, I was going to take some visits this summer and in the early fall whenever school started back up. I was supposed to take one before this whole corona thing popped up; I was supposed to go to LSU but that didn’t happen. I am just trying to take it slow and look at every school and I think of everyone the same. I don’t think that I have a commitment happening any time soon. It is just a tough decision. All of the schools offer great opportunities and there isn’t really one school that pops out like that.
CE: Do you want to get it done before senior year? Do you want to sign early? Do you want to hold out until the spring to do that?
JS: I never really thought about that but I know most kids do it before their senior year starts so they don’t have to worry about going through the high school season but I don’t want to rush it and make the wrong decision. I just want to take it slow, talk to my family about it and see how it plays out.
CE: Before I let you go, the G-League has become a heavily discussed situation in recent weeks. What all do you know about the new pathway and would that interest you at all?
JS: Honestly, I don’t know much about it but nobody has talked to me about it but it seems like a good opportunity where you can get the feel for where I want to play at and where I want to be at. It isn’t the full experience but it is close to it. I feel like it is a different situation for everybody. If that opportunity comes into play, we will just have to see how it goes.