When J.R. Smith transferred to St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark two years ago, his dream was to take over the family business as a contractor. Now, the 18-year-old has a different dream and different contract in mind, after becoming the latest high school star to enter the NBA Draft.
When the 6-6, 225-pound Parade All-American announced his decision yesterday at the school’s campus, the June 24 draft got a little younger and a little more athletic. With a 44-inch vertical leap and 43.2 percent shooting from 3-point range, Smith is expected to be a first-round pick.
He averaged 23.3 points and 5.4 rebounds during his senior season and signed with North Carolina. But after being named MVP of the EA Sports Roundball Classic and sharing the McDonald’s All-American MVP honors with Dwight Howard – likely either the first or second pick – Smith may be lottery-worthy.
“I’m very determined. I’ll do whatever it takes to get there. I’m going to keep working hard. That’s what got me here, and I’m not going to stop now,” said Smith, tabbed by NBADraft.net as the 14th pick and by HoopsHype.com as the 17th choice, Vince Carter with “unlimited” range.
“If [I go to a veteran team] . . . I just know I’m going to have to work harder than this guy to get on the court, so every time he’s out partying, I’m going to be in the gym working, or if he’s asleep, I’m going to be in the gym,” Smith added.
Smith won’t hire an agent, thus keeping his NCAA eligibility. He has until June 17 to withdraw from the draft if his stock slips. The well-traveled Smith – who also attended Steinert, McCorristin and Lakewood – would love to fall to the Nets and play alongside Jason Kidd.
“I’d love to stay in New Jersey,” said the sedate Smith, perking up. “Playing for the Nets is playing for the home crowd in Jersey. I don’t think there’s anything more pleasing than that. [LeBron James] is getting great support from the people in Ohio, and I think I’d get plenty of support from the people in Jersey.”
That would mean sacrificing some burn, and sitting behind a vet. The four rookies not named James who came straight out of high school last year combined for under 100 minutes. Naturally, Smith’s father Earl – who played at Monmouth – doesn’t expect that.
“If he’s lottery, great; he’ll probably stay. [If not], we’ll have to weigh our options,” said the elder Smith. “I’m not being conceited because he’s my son. I think he can play for any of the 30 [NBA] teams and play well.”
* Smith’s teammate, Alex Galindo, is down to four schools: Rutgers, Kansas, Pitt and has added a surprise visit to Georgetown.
