Texas Tech University Athletics
Photo by: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Smith Makes NBA Debut With 76ers
March 25, 2019 | Men's Basketball
ORLANDO, Florida – With 5:34 remaining in the game, Zhaire Smith made his NBA debut for the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. Forty-seven seconds later, he drilled a 3-pointer for his first points of his career.
The former Red Raider was selected 16th overall in the NBA Draft in June before playing in 11 games with five starts for the Delaware Blue Coats. He averaged 7.2 points and 1.5 assists per game in the G League before making his debut on Monday. Smith finished the game 1-for-1 in the game and also had one rebound and one assist.
At Texas Tech, Smith recorded 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game as a freshman for the Red Raiders last season where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Elite Eight. Garland native, was the first freshman to earn All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and USBWA All-District 7 First-Team status in program history after setting a program record with 417 points. Smith led Tech with 185 rebounds, 42 blocks and 42 steals before deciding to enter the NBA Draft where he was selected by the Phoenix Suns before a draft-night trade sent him to the 76ers.
Orlando won the game 119-98 over the 76ers who are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 47-27 overall record.
Smith and the 76ers return to action on Thursday when they host Brooklyn in Philadelphia.
The former Red Raider was selected 16th overall in the NBA Draft in June before playing in 11 games with five starts for the Delaware Blue Coats. He averaged 7.2 points and 1.5 assists per game in the G League before making his debut on Monday. Smith finished the game 1-for-1 in the game and also had one rebound and one assist.
At Texas Tech, Smith recorded 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game as a freshman for the Red Raiders last season where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Elite Eight. Garland native, was the first freshman to earn All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and USBWA All-District 7 First-Team status in program history after setting a program record with 417 points. Smith led Tech with 185 rebounds, 42 blocks and 42 steals before deciding to enter the NBA Draft where he was selected by the Phoenix Suns before a draft-night trade sent him to the 76ers.
Orlando won the game 119-98 over the 76ers who are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 47-27 overall record.
Smith and the 76ers return to action on Thursday when they host Brooklyn in Philadelphia.
ÂFirst NBA shot, first NBA bucket. ?
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 26, 2019
Congrats, @zhaire_smith!
??#WreckEm?? pic.twitter.com/E5MbbLae87
Players Mentioned
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