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For the first time since 1997, Texas Tech has a player selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Sources: The Phoenix Suns are selecting Zhaire Smith with the No. 16 pick in the NBA draft.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2018
Smith’s time as a member of the Phoenix Suns was short lived however, as the Philadelphia 76ers quickly finalized a deal to get their guy.
Sources: Suns have traded Zhaire Smith and 2021 Miami first-rounder to 76ers for Mikal Bridges.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2018
Zhaire Smith worked out multiple times with the 76ers and it was obvious that Philadelphia loved his game. This trade gave Philadelphia a chance to get their guy and an extra draft pick in the process.
Zhaire Smith is Texas Tech’s first one-and-done ever and will carry the torch for Chris Beard’s program going forward. Soon we’ll see alley-oops from Ben Simmons to Zhaire Smith, while Smith and Joel Embiid anchor the defense.