Former Sandy Creek forward Jabari Smith knows the feeling of being first. In high school, Smith was ranked as the best player in the state of Georgia. For much of his high school career, Smith’s Patriots were ranked first in their classification. Now, as a freshman starting for Auburn, Jabari Smith has the Tigers on top of the college basketball world.
As a freshman at Sandy Creek, Smith rarely saw playing time on varsity. He only scored around two points a game, but he watched as the Patriots rolled through their region and dominated early in the state playoffs. He also experienced a heartbreaking semi finals loss to undefeated Upson-Lee, as a fadeaway, game-winning buzzer beater rolled off the rim.
Improvement was immediately noticed by the end of his sophomore season. Statistically, Smith had improved to average almost 13 points and seven rebounds a game. Paired with star forward TJ Bickerstaff, Sandy Creek’s front court became a force to be reckoned with. It showed on the court, too.
Smith helped lead Sandy Creek back to the state semifinals by winning 17 consecutive games after a one point loss to Fayette County. However, the streak was snapped again, this time by Sumter County. Smith was held to six points and missed all four of his three-pointers.
With Bickerstaff and star guard Julian Alexander no longer at Sandy Creek, Smith took complete control his junior year. He averaged a double-double with 24.5 points per game (PPG) and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Chasing the elusive state championship, Smith led his Patriots past the dangerous 4A semifinals and into the title game against Woodward Academy, which the War Eagles would eventually win on a late layup, 58-56. That Woodward championship was highlighted by Walker Kessler’s 33-point performance. Now, Kessler and Smith are dominating college basketball as Tiger teammates.
Was there any doubt that Auburn commit Jabari Smith would perform well his senior year? The second-ranked forward nationwide put up over 30 points in games against 7A powers Milton and Grayson and racked up a whopping 23 rebounds in a single game against Kell. However, despite his dominance, Sandy Creek fell once again in the state championship, this time in a stunner to Cross Creek.
Shooting over 40% from three and scoring over 15 PPG as a collegiate freshman, Jabari Smith has the Auburn Tigers ranked No. 1 in the nation. It’s a spot he’s been in several times throughout his career, but he has never once captured a championship. Will this be the year for Smith to finally grasp the championship trophy he has deserved for the past half-decade?
