The J-Notes
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NBA mock draft compilation: Who might Utah Jazz take at No. 21?

By Jared Woodcox

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders talks with Zhaire Smith #2 during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders talks with Zhaire Smith #2 during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech

Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 195 | Age: 18

Stats: 11.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 55.6% FG

In that same CBS Sports piece that had Donte DiVincenzo going to the Jazz, Gary Parrish pinned Zhaire Smith from Texas Tech as Utah’s 21st overall pick. Here’s his scoop:

"Smith is the rare one-and-done player who was a sub-100 prospect coming out of high school. It’s a remarkable story — one that features the 6-5 wing putting himself in this position by displaying top-shelf athleticism while averaging 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds for a Texas Tech team that advanced to the Elite Eight."

My two cents: What stands out the most to me about Zhaire Smith is his athleticism. He definitely has the tools to be an impressive NBA player, but once again, it’s going to take some time. His rise from a relative unknown to an NBA prospect is pretty impressive and I feel his “let me prove you wrong” mentality could help him fit in with a Jazz squad known for its “chip on the shoulder bunch” with guys like Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles.

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