In preparation for the NCAA Tournament, Jabari Smith makes more Auburn history

GREENVILLE, South Carolina – As Auburn completes final preparations for its first NCAA Tournament game, Jabari Schmitz made some more Auburn history.

The star-studded Freshman has added another jewel to his crown, this one being one of the rarest to date. On Thursday afternoon, Smith was named by the United States as the second All-American team Basketball Writers Association. Since joining four All-America outlets from NCAA-recognized outlets – USBWA, AP, Sporting News and NABC – Smith has been a consensus All-American, Auburn’s second in program history (Chris Porter in 1999).

Smith, potentially the No. 1 overall pick in the next NBA draft, said all season that one of the biggest reasons he decided to play college football – unlike the G League, for example – was to play in the NCAA Tournament. and hopefully become part of a deep run.

“They found out, but it was just never my dream,” Smith said Thursday in Greenville to the college asking for a professional path straight out of high school. “It was never something I just envisioned. I just always set my goal in college – to play in March, build relationships, and just go through that college, just experience that college life. That was always my dream, and that’s what I was set up for. Yes, they offered the opportunity, it was cool, but I knew what I wanted to do. “

The highest-rated recruit in Auburn history and SEC Freshman of the Year, Smith is the SEC’s top 3-point shooter this season (42.8%). He heats up towards March Madness, averaging 23.9 points over his last seven games.

When asked, Smith said his favorite tournament team to grow in Kentucky was – because Karl-Anthony Towns and 2014-15 – which rolled out a heavy eye Walker Kessler sits next to him. Over the next few seasons, however, Smith began to feel loyalty to his future team.

“I finally looked at Auburn Jared Harper“The whole team is from Georgia, I know some of them.” Auburn is a favorite as I get older.

Kessler, a potential first-round pick himself and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, also made the USBBA third team, good for his second All-America recognition (AP). Pearl consistently named Smith and Kessler as the best frontcourt he ever trained.

“I promised Jabari and Walker that I would surround them with great kids.” Bruce Pearl said Thursday of this season to build the roster. “That they would make lifelong friends, and they loved each other, and they came close.”

Tipoff for Auburn vs. Jacksonville State at Bon Secours Arena is set for 11:40 CST (TruTV).