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Did you like the Bucks’ second-round NBA draft pick, Tyler Smith? Tell us what you think.
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- Did you like the Bucks’ second-round NBA draft pick, Tyler Smith? Tell us what you think.
The Milwaukee Bucks bolstered their front-court depth in the second round of the NBA draft by selecting forward Tyler Smith with the No. 33 pick.
Hailing from Fort Bend County, Texas, Smith played with the G League Ignite team for the 2023-24 season. The 19-year-old came from the Overtime Elite basketball league , where he had been playing since 2021.
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At the NBA combine, Smith measured in at 6-foot-9 without shoes, 223 pounds, and had a 7-foot-1 wingspan.
In 27 games, he averaged 13.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks. He shot 47.6% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range on 4.0 attempts per game.
Smith was the No. 8-ranked player in ESPN's 2023 high school class.
"Smith, 19, played a compact but efficient role for Ignite," ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony said, "mostly being asked to stretch the floor, post-up switches, or finish around the basket as a cutter or roller, similar to what he'll be asked to do early in his career in the NBA. His positional size, scoring instincts, shot-making prowess and youth give him strong appeal for NBA teams."
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On the first night of the draft, the Bucks selected AJ Johnson. Both fans and general manager Jon Horst believe Johnson will need some time to develop. Smith, though, has more substantial statistics while also playing in a professional league.
What do you think of the pick? Do you believe it was the right choice, or should the Bucks have gone in the different direction? Let us know in the poll below.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Did you like Milwaukee Bucks' second-round draft pick Tyler Smith?
