Indiana junior forward Justin Smith put his name in the NBA Draft as an early entrant according to a report by the league.
The 6-foot-7, 230 pound Smith appeared in all 32 games for the 2019-20 season and started each contest. The Illinois native averaged 30.3 minutes per game, which was in increase from his 24.7 minutes as a sophomore — and a team high. He was one of three players to start every game along with Trayce Jackson-Davis and Al Durham.
Smith shot 49.2 percent overall from the field, good for third on the team among those that played more than 10 minutes per contest. Smith took just over one three-pointer per game and made 26.3 percent. Smith was third on the team in points (10.4) and tied for second in rebounds (5.2) per game.
Smith also declared for the 2019 NBA Draft in order to receive feedback.
According to the report by the league, 205 players — 163 players from colleges and other educational institutions and 42 international players — have filed as early entry candidates for the 2020 NBA Draf
The current NCAA deadline for players to withdraw from the draft is June 3.
Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing 10 days prior to the 2020 NBA Draft.
The date of the 2020 NBA Draft is June 25, but it is likely to be pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The total number of early entrants in 2020 is 205. That number is down from 236 in 2018 and 233 in 2019.
Smith does not appear on any mock draft boards and is expected to return for his senior season at IU. He is the only Indiana player on the early entrant list after Jackson-Davis announced on Sunday his intent to return to the team.
Smith improved in several areas during his junior season. He shot better from three-point range, cut down turnovers, got to the free throw line more and converted more of those attempts, and he improved his rebounding average. Smith is an exceptional athlete and IU’s most versatile defender, but inconsistency with his perimeter shot and a limited off hand have been shortcomings with his game throughout his college career.
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