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Zhaire Smith

Zhaire Jahi-ihme Smith (born June 4, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for Texas Tech before being drafted 16th overall by the Phoenix Suns and traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Zhaire Smith
No. 8 – Cleveland Charge
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1999-06-04) June 4, 1999 (age 25)
Garland, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High schoolLakeview Centennial
(Garland, Texas)
CollegeTexas Tech (2017–2018)
NBA draft2018: 1st round, 16th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2020Philadelphia 76ers
2019–2020→Delaware Blue Coats
2023–presentCleveland Charge
Career highlights and awards
  • Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2018)
  • Big 12 All-Newcomer Team (2018)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

High school career

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Smith attended Lakeview Centennial High School, where he was coached by J. T. Locklear. He averaged 20.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a senior. Smith earned District 10-6A MVP honors and was voted the best dunker in the Dallas region by area coaches. Coming out of high school, Smith was a three-star recruit and chose Texas Tech over Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Memphis, Oregon, and Texas.[1]

College career

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In his freshman season at Texas Tech, he averaged 11.3 points and five rebounds per game.[2] He was an honorable mention Big-12 selection and was named to the conference's All-Defensive team. Alongside Keenan Evans, Smith led Texas Tech to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to eventual champion Villanova.[3] Smith had a career-high 21 points and to go along with eight rebounds, three steals and two assists in a February 7 win over Iowa State.[4] He flirted with a triple-double with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 69–66 victory in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament versus Florida, and posted several highlight-reel dunks.[5]

Following the season, he declared for the 2018 NBA draft without initially hiring an agent.[2] In late April it was announced that Smith signed with Roc Nation Sports, thus ending his collegiate eligibility.[3]

Professional career

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Philadelphia 76ers (2018–2020)

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On June 21, 2018, Smith was selected with the sixteenth overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA draft, but was immediately traded, along with the Miami Heat's 2021 first-round pick, to the Philadelphia 76ers for Mikal Bridges.[6] On July 2, he signed with the 76ers.[7] Head coach Brett Brown compared Smith to Kawhi Leonard, who he helped to develop on the San Antonio Spurs, as having played power forward in college and wanting to mold him into a wing player in a similar vein.[8][9][10] Smith expressed to reporters that he wore #2 because Leonard was his favorite player.[11]

On August 6, he fractured his foot at a summer development camp and required surgery.[12] On August 10, 2018, the surgery to repair an acute Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal in Smith's left foot was successful.[13] A month later in September, Smith went through a thoracoscopy due to an allergic reaction relating to ingesting sesame, which caused further problems in his road to recovery.[14] While general manager Elton Brand expressed doubt that he would be able to play for the 76ers in the regular season, Smith made his debut with the Delaware Blue Coats for the NBA G League on March 1, 2019, against the Maine Red Claws.[15] He averaged 7.2 points with 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 11 G-League games with the Blue Coats, starting five.[16]

Smith made his NBA debut on March 25, 2019, in a 119–98 loss to the Orlando Magic, scoring three points with a steal and one rebound in five and a half minutes of play.[17] In his rookie season, Smith averaged 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 18.5 minutes played in six games (two starts) including 17 points, four rebounds and five assists when he started the final game of the regular season against the Chicago Bulls.[18] Smith also played in two games during the 2019 NBA Playoffs with the 76ers, albeit with limited production in either game.[19]

As a result of an allergic reaction, Smith lost weight and reworked his shot in his second professional season. He started the season for the Blue Coats shooting 4-of-18 from behind the arc, but improved his shooting since December.[20] On February 27, 2020, Smith had 16 points and six rebounds, shooting 7-for-16 from the floor in a 125–106 loss to the Wisconsin Herd.[21]

On November 23, 2020, Smith was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Tony Bradley.[22] On November 30, Smith was waived by the Pistons.[23]

On December 15, 2020, Smith signed with the Memphis Grizzlies,[24] but was waived the next day.[25]

Smith was included in the roster of the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League in 2021 but did not play a game for the team.[26]

Cleveland Charge (2023–present)

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In July 2023, Smith joined the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2023 NBA Summer League[27] and on September 15, 2023, Smith signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[28] However, he was waived on October 21,[29] and one week later signed with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League.[30]

On February 11, 2024, Smith signed a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers,[31] but didn't play for them. On February 23, he returned to the Charge.[32]

On September 24, 2024, Smith signed with the Cavaliers,[33] but was waived on October 19.[34] On October 26, he joined the Cleveland Charge.[35]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Philadelphia 6 2 18.5 .412 .375 .750 2.2 1.7 .3 .3 6.7
2019–20 Philadelphia 7 0 4.6 .273 .000 .500 .3 .3 .4 .0 1.1
Career 13 2 11.0 .378 .316 .667 1.2 .9 .4 .2 3.7

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019 Philadelphia 2 0 2.5 — — — .0 .0 .5 .0 .0
Career 2 0 2.5 — — — .0 .0 .5 .0 .0

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Texas Tech 37 21 28.4 .556 .450 .717 5.0 1.8 1.1 1.1 11.3

Personal life

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Smith has peanut and sesame allergies.[36] His father, Billy, played college basketball for the Kansas State Wildcats and served as a multi-sport coach until he became a paraplegic in 2013.[37]

References

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  1. ^ "Men's Basketball Signs Zhaire Smith to NLI". Texas Tech Red Raiders. April 13, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Dauster, Rob (April 4, 2018). "Texas Tech star declares for draft without signing with agent". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Dawson, Peter (April 30, 2018). "Texas Tech's Zhaire Smith officially signs with Roc Nation Sports, loses college eligbility [sic]". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Silva, Carlos (February 7, 2018). "Smith nets career high 21 points, powers No. 7 Texas Tech to fifth straight win". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  5. ^ Silva, Carlos (March 18, 2018). "Zhaire Smith puts on show for pro-Texas Tech crowd in Dallas". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  6. ^ Seltzer, Brian (June 21, 2018). "Draft 2018 Sought-After Prospect, Future Pick Highlight Acquisitions". NBA.com. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  7. ^ "Philadelphia 76ers Sign Zhaire Smith". NBA.com. July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  8. ^ "Zhaire Smith: Brett Brown 'compared me to Kawhi Leonard'". June 22, 2018.
  9. ^ "Brett Brown sees Kawhi Leonard in Zhaire Smith". June 22, 2018.
  10. ^ "Why Brett Brown believes in high-flying Zhaire Smith". June 22, 2018.
  11. ^ "Sixers' Zhaire Smith wore No. 2 in honor of Kawhi Leonard". June 25, 2018.
  12. ^ Boone, Kyle (August 7, 2018). "76ers rookie Zhaire Smith fractures foot at summer development camp and will need surgery, a report says". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  13. ^ "Medical Update Smith's Surgery Successful". NBA.com. August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Levick, Noah (November 9, 2018). "Sixers rookie won't return in 2018 after additional complications". NBC Sports Philadelphia.
  15. ^ Levick, Noah (March 1, 2019). "After long journey back to court, rusty Zhaire Smith makes pro debut". NBC Sports Philadelphia.
  16. ^ "Zhaire Smith G-League Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  17. ^ Carlin, Ky (March 25, 2019). "Zhaire Smith makes long awaited NBA debut in blowout loss to Magic". Sixers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  18. ^ Johnson, Lucas (April 12, 2019). "Philadelphia 76ers Rookie Report: Zhaire Smith starts". TheSixerSense.com. FanSided. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  19. ^ Zhaire Smith 2018-19 Game Log
  20. ^ Levick, Noah (January 21, 2020). "Sixers' Zhaire Smith is 'hunting 3s' in the G League". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Carlin, Ky (February 28, 2020). "Sixers prospect Zhaire Smith beginning to show progress in G League". Sixers Wire. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  22. ^ "Detroit Pistons Acquire Zhaire Smith From Philadelphia 76ers". NBA.com. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  23. ^ "Zhaire Smith: Officially waived by Detroit". CBS Sports. November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  24. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Zhaire Smith and Bennie Boatwright". NBA.com. December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  25. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Christian Vital". NBA.com. December 16, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  26. ^ Barnard, Sean (May 25, 2022). "Former Sixers' first-round pick Zhaire Smith making basketball comeback". PhillySportsNetwork.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  27. ^ Levick, Noah (July 6, 2023). "3 observations after Sixers fall short of massive comeback, finish Salt Lake summer league". NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  28. ^ Adams, Luke (September 15, 2023). "Cavaliers Sign Zhaire Smith To Exhibit 10 Deal". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  29. ^ Hill, Arthur (October 21, 2023). "Cavaliers Waive Seven Players". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  30. ^ "Cleveland Charge 2023 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  31. ^ "Cavaliers Sign Zhaire Smith to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  32. ^ "2023-2024 Cleveland Charge Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  33. ^ Adams, Luke (September 25, 2024). "Cavaliers Sign Jacob Gilyard, Zhaire Smith". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  34. ^ "Cavaliers Waive Four Players". NBA.com. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  35. ^ "Cleveland Charge 2024 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  36. ^ Kennedy, Sean (November 10, 2018). "Zhaire Smith suffers foot rehab setback due to a food allergy. What?". Liberty Ballers.
  37. ^ Norlander, Matt (June 19, 2018). "How Zhaire Smith's wheelchair-bound father helped mold him into a potential 2018 NBA lottery pick". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
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