Scouting Report: Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma St.
While he may not be the top prospect, Marcus Smart will surely be the most infamous name called on June 26. While his suspension for entering the stands to confront a fan was four months ago, the incident remains firmly attached to his draft stock. Teams will be paying close attention to how the highest-ranked non-freshman in the draft has conducted himself since. Meanwhile, recent history suggests that Smart coming out as a sophomore rather than last year as a freshman shouldn't be a big knock against him.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/o Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | 6 | 8 | 6' 2" | 227 |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 9.25" | 36 | 8' 3" | 9 | 10.82 |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 18 | 5.9 | 4.8 | 42.2% | 29.9% |
| 2012-13 | 15.4 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 40.4% | 29% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Teams like Smart because he's a "gamer" - someone with a high motor who rarely, if ever, takes his foot off the gas. He was a vocal leader at Oklahoma State, too - making it unfortunate he has a mark against his character on his record. When it comes to actual basketball, there's little to dislike - Smart is physical, gets to the rim and finishes well, and is a difference maker on defense.
Weaknesses: It's not just the fan incident giving pause; Smart's shooting remains an appreciable hole in his game. He's not afraid to take threes but his percentages on triples and jump-shots inside the arc were troublesome. Teams can play with a point guard who can't shoot well, but it does limit what they can do in terms of a backcourt pairing.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Only one point guard - Australia's Dante Exum - ranks ahead of Smart on the board, meaning that Smart's draft range beginsthe moment Exum is drafted. That could be as high as No. 4, as the Magic reportedly like him as a partner in crime alongside Victor Oladipo, and ESPN's Chad Ford doubts he will get past the Kings at No. 8. It would be tough not to agree with a team spending a high pick on him, and fans of analytics could argue that even No. 4 is too low a landing place.