Latest news with #JabariSmithJr.
USA Today
04-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
In offseason work, Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. prioritizes physical play, on-ball skills
'I'm more physical, more decisive, (and) stronger with the basketball,' Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. says of his offseason points of emphasis. On a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, Jabari Smith Jr. shared a few of his priorities entering his fourth season with the Houston Rockets. 'I'm more physical, more decisive, (and) stronger with the basketball,' Smith told host Tommy Alter and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. Regarding his offseason work and points of emphasis, Smith continued: Obviously, ball handling is gonna be better, (and) more consistent. I'm in the weight room, I'm lifting weights, I'm getting bigger. There's no reason I shouldn't be trying to run through people (and) trying to attack. It's just something I want to get better at. After missing time in January and February with a broken hand, Smith played off the bench for the remainder of Houston's 2024-25 season due to the emergence of rising star Amen Thompson. But the offseason trade that brought All-Star forward Kevin Durant to the Rockets sent out a pair of starters (Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks) to the Phoenix Suns, which opened up an additional starting lineup slot that Smith is expected to fill. So, for the 22-year-old drafted at No. 3 in the 2022 first round, there are likely to be new opportunities in 2025-26 — and Smith's offseason work is all about ensuring that he's better prepared to take advantage. The complete conversation can be viewed and listened to below. A 6-foot-10 forward, Smith averaged 12.2 points (43.8% FG, 35.4% on 3-pointers) and 7.0 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game last season. He remains one of Houston's most valuable and versatile defensive players, as well. Smith, Durant, Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Sengun are the projected starters for the 2025-26 Rockets, who enter among the NBA's championship favorites after a 52-30 campaign in which Houston finished with the No. 2 record in the Western Conference. Besides adding Durant, one clear reason for optimism is continued growth and development from young players, with Smith near the top of that list. More: After Kevin Durant trade, Jabari Smith Jr. likely to rejoin Houston's starting lineup
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘He's special': Jabari Smith Jr. on growth of Houston's Alperen Sengun
In a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. reflects on his journey within the Houston Rockets and the NBA. During a conversation with host Tommy Alter and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, Smith spoke on a variety of topics related to his own personal growth and that of players around him in Houston. Perhaps his strongest endorsement was for 23-year-old big man Alperen Sengun, who earned his first All-Star berth last season. When asked about the Turkish center's growth and what makes him able to control games at such a young age, Smith said: It's how much better he's gotten. He's so skilled. I've seen him since his second year, and I've seen him now through his fourth. He's gotten more athletic, and he's gotten stronger. His physical play, and what he imposes to other people... it wasn't like that two years ago. He wasn't just burying people. If you (opposing defense) get a switch, you're dead. You've got to double, and some teams don't let him play one-on-one in the post. You can't. He's just gotten so much better at reading the game... and making a simple play. People judge him so strongly and forget that he's, like, 22 years old (Sengun's age last season). The weight he has on his shoulders as being one of our best players, it's not easy. He's special, for real. The complete conversation can be viewed and listened to below. More: Rockets star Alperen Sengun to play for Turkey in FIBA EuroBasket 2025 This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: 'He's special': Jabari Smith Jr. on growth of Houston's Alperen Sengun
USA Today
01-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
‘He's special': Jabari Smith Jr. on growth of Houston's Alperen Sengun
'He's just gotten so much better at reading the gane and making the simple play,' Jabari Smith Jr. says of Rockets star Alperen Sengun. In a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. reflects on his journey within the Houston Rockets and the NBA. During a conversation with host Tommy Alter and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, Smith spoke on a variety of topics related to his own personal growth and that of players around him in Houston. Perhaps his strongest endorsement was for 23-year-old big man Alperen Sengun, who earned his first All-Star berth last season. When asked about the Turkish center's growth and what makes him able to control games at such a young age, Smith said: It's how much better he's gotten. He's so skilled. I've seen him since his second year, and I've seen him now through his fourth. He's gotten more athletic, and he's gotten stronger. His physical play, and what he imposes to other people... it wasn't like that two years ago. He wasn't just burying people. If you (opposing defense) get a switch, you're dead. You've got to double, and some teams don't let him play one-on-one in the post. You can't. He's just gotten so much better at reading the game... and making a simple play. People judge him so strongly and forget that he's, like, 22 years old (Sengun's age last season). The weight he has on his shoulders as being one of our best players, it's not easy. He's special, for real. The complete conversation can be viewed and listened to below. More: Rockets star Alperen Sengun to play for Turkey in FIBA EuroBasket 2025
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Podcast: Jabari Smith Jr. extends in Houston, Dorian Finney-Smith free agency rumors swirl
Monday's The Lager Line podcast breaks down all the implications of Jabari Smith Jr.'s new Rockets contract and why Dorian Finney-Smith could prove to be a worthwhile target in free agency. As free agency negotiations officially begin around the NBA (external agreements can be reached as of 5:00 p.m. Central on Monday, June 30), the Houston Rockets are continuing a busy 2025 offseason under the guidance of general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka. With All-Star forward Kevin Durant already in the fold, Houston has recently agreed to new contracts with Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet, and there are rumors that Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith could be an attainable target during the opening days of 2025 free agency. Sponsored by Karbach Brewing, Monday's podcast episode of The Lager Line explores all the various implications of Houston's wheeling and dealing, along with the re-signings of influential veterans such as Aaron Holiday, Jae'Sean Tate, and Jeff Green. Discussion topics include include how Smith and VanVleet's relatively inexpensive deals could the Rockets help fill out future rosters, as well as why Finney-Smith is a worthwhile target to potentially backfill the role of Dillon Brooks (traded to Phoenix in the Durant deal). More: Jabari Smith Jr. to sign five-year, $122-million contract extension with Rockets
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Jabari Smith Jr's girlfriend? Unveiling the dating secrets of Houston Rockets' star
Jabari Smith Jr. (Image via Getty Images) Jabari Smith is an effective power forward for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. He is a versatile pull-up shooter who plays both the forward position and the small-ball center. His remarkable performance in the 2022-2023 season got him named to the 2023 All-Rookie Second Team. His dating history is hardly known to the media. However, his Instagram revealed something that left his fans amazed. He is reportedly dating Jasmine A. The couple is good at keeping their personal life private, and as a result, not much is known about his girlfriend's identity. Who is Jabari Smith Jr. dating? The Houston Rockets' 6-foot-10 forward, Jabari Smith Jr., has reportedly been dating Jasmine A, according to their Instagram profiles. She has posted a little something on her social media, enough to confirm that they are dating each other. However, to avoid controversies and social media fuss, Jabari Smith Jr. and his girlfriend have not revealed much of their dating life publicly. Jabari Smith Jr. reportedly agreed to sign an extensive 5-year contract worth $122 million with the Houston Rockets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo This sparked his girlfriend's excitement as she was seen posting a story about the same on her social media. Jasmine A. had been a constant support to her boyfriend. She has attended some of his most important matches to show her deep love and unwavering support towards him and his career. Some say that the man 'won in life'. And it truly is something to be proud of. With a successful NBA career and a supportive woman who is also the love of his life, Jabari Smith Jr. indeed seems to have it all. Image via Instagram The NBA star, Jabari Smith Jr., was born in Fayetteville, Georgia, United States. As a high school student, he was named a McDonald's All-American in the year 2021. In 2022, he was drafted as the third overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the first round. In his first year in the league during the 2022-2023 season, he achieved a remarkable feat by averaging 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. Also read: Jabari Smith Jr. wants to sign a $122 million contract extension with Houston Rockets for five years through 2031 Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
