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NBA Draft: Is Zhaire Smith a first round gamble worth taking for the Bucks?

By Jordan Treske

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 19: Zhaire Smith poses for a head shot at the Body Image station for the Medical Evaluation portion of the 2018 NBA Combine powered by Under Armour on May 19, 2018 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 19: Zhaire Smith poses for a head shot at the Body Image station for the Medical Evaluation portion of the 2018 NBA Combine powered by Under Armour on May 19, 2018 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 19: (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 19: (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After bursting on to the scene as a freshman with Texas Tech University this year, guard Zhaire Smith is going down the one-and-done route as he’s declared for the 2018 NBA Draft.

Following the end of Texas Tech University’s season this year, one that concluded in the Elite Eight in this year’s NCAA Tournament, freshman guard Zhaire Smith officially declared for the 2018 NBA Draft.

Initially, Smith’s decision to take the next step in his career came with the caveat that he had not yet hired an agent, something he settled at the end of April.

It all has been a whirlwind eight months or so for Smith, who rose into the collective consciousness among both the college and NBA basketball world in his breakout season with the Red Raiders this year.

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After all, Smith came into Lubbock listed as a three-star recruit and was ranked the 194th recruit in his class, per 247 Sports.

Now having vaulted himself into late lottery consideration, Smith has quickly transformed his once-unheralded journey into a burgeoning professional career in a year’s time, thanks to what he achieved while with the Red Raiders for his one and only collegiate season.

In his 37 appearances this year, 21 of them coming as starts, Smith put up 11.3 points on shooting splits of .556/.450/.717, along with 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals as well as blocks and was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.

So without further ado, let’s dive deep into what Zhaire Smith has to offer, gauge how draft experts view him at this point in the process and evaluate his potential fit with the Milwaukee Bucks.

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