On April 4th, Zhaire Smith made an important decision to leave Texas Tech University and move on in his basketball career as he declared for the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s a projected top 20 pick in this year’s draft.
I am excited to say that I am going to enter my name in NBA Draft without an agent. I would like to see where I stand after my freshman year. I would like to Thank coach Beard, my parents, and the best fans in college basketball #RedRaiderNation
— Zhaire (@zhaire_smith) April 4, 2018
At that time the freshman decided not to hire an agent, which promised he could go back to the school in case a series of unfortunate events occurred and he didn’t like what he learned during the draft process. But Smith appears to have received good responses in his draft prep. 13 days after declaring, Smith decided that hiring an agent would be the best thing for him moving forward and officially leave Texas Tech after one season.
Texas Tech freshman guard Zhaire Smith will remain in the NBA draft and will hire an agent, league sources told The Athletic.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 18, 2018
In his freshman season as a Red Raider, Smith averaged 11.3 points per game making over 50 percent of his shots and 45 percent of his three-point attempts. The 6’5 guard also led his team in rebounds per game with five.
Smith’s “Three & D” style of play mixed with his stellar athleticism will help him in this next step of his career.