Jabari Montsho Smith Jr. is an American basketball power forward for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as of April 2025. Born to parents Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell in Fayetteville, Georgia, Smith began playing basketball at the tender age of five. He attended Sandy Creek School in Tyrone, Georgia, and committed to playing college basketball for the Auburn Tigers. He was awarded numerous honors during his freshman season in college, including being named the USBWA Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-SEC first team, and a second-team All-American. After just one season in Auburn, Smith declared himself for the 2022 NBA Draft. (via Auburn Tigers' official website)
Projected as a top-three selection, Smith was eventually drafted as the third overall pick by the Houston Rockets. In a total of 79 games with the Rockets in his debut season, Smith averaged 12.8 points with 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He was named on the All-Rookie Second team in 2023. Smith has competed at the 2019 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Brazil for Team USA. He won gold with them and averaged 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game during the competition. (via USA Basketball)
Jabari Smith Jr.'s age
Jabari Smith Jr. is 21 years old, as of April 2025. He was born on May 13, 2003, in Fayetteville, Georgia, to parents Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell. His father also played basketball, most notably for the Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Nets in the NBA, and stints outside the US (Spain, Turkey, Iran, and Puerto Rico).
Smith was brought up in Tyrone, Georgia, and attended Sandy Creek High School up there. He averaged 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game as a junior, and 24 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks per game as a senior. Smith was voted Mr. Georgia Basketball and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior year. (via Auburn Tigers' official website)
Jabari Smith Jr.'s college
Smith went to Auburn where he played college basketball for their team, the Auburn Tigers. He averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and two assists per game as a freshman. He led the Tigers to an SEC regular season championship. He won multiple accolades during the season, including being named the USBWA Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-SEC first team, and a second-team All-American. Smith declared himself ready for the 2022 NBA draft at the end of his freshman season and was projected a top-three selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. (via Auburn Tigers' official website)
FAQs on Jabari Smith Jr.
A. Jabari Smith Jr. was born on May 13, 2003, and is 21 years old, as of April 2025.
A. Jabari Smith Jr. was born in Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S. to parents Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell.
A. Jabari Smith Jr. played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers.
A. Jabari Smith Jr. plays as a power forward for the Houston Rockets.
A. Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell are the parents of Jabari Smith Jr.
