After carving out an All-American career in high school and college, Jalen Smith is Maryland's latest NBA draft pick.
The former Maryland star was drafted No. 10 overall by the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. He becomes the Terps' third draft pick in as many years and the program's fifth since 2016.
Smith waited alongside family, friends and coaches at a watch event in Columbia, Md., while NBA Commissioner Adam Silver read out his name.
Smith, a 2018 five-star recruit, averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in an impressive freshman campaign. He returned to College Park for his sophomore season as the focal point of a frontcourt then vacated by Bruno Fernando, who opted to enter the 2019 draft and was selected in the second round.
In his second season, Smith improved his points, rebounds and blocks totals, along with his shooting percentages, leading Maryland to its first Big Ten regular-season title. He also received All-American and All-Big Ten honors. Smith announced in April to forego his remaining eligibility his decision to declare for the NBA draft.
Questions arose about Smith's physicality and ability to move in space, but his sharpshooting and ability to block shots for a big in today's NBA solidified his status as a lottery pick.
