NBA Mock Draft: Ranking 11 best draft prospects in NCAA’s Sweet 16

4. Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas

For those that have been all over the 2023 NBA Draft possibilities and its draft prospects, Nick Smith Jr. is not a foreign name. In fact, you have to consider him to be one of the most disappointing prospects so far in this year’s class. In fairness, not all of it is his doing.

He struggled this season because of an injury and simply hasn’t been able to find his footing as a freshman. Nevertheless, the talent and potential are still very evident with Smith even though you can’t always see it when watching Arkansas play.

The first two games of the NCAA Tournament have pretty much told the entire story of Smith’s struggles this season. During the opening round game, Smith only finished with six points on 2-10 shooting from the field. In an entirely unexpected turn, Smith was benched in the second round as the Razorbacks outlasted Kansas.

Smith is too talented to be this bad. Something isn’t right with him and I’m not sure how this is all going to end for him in Arkansas. He simply may not be in rhythm and the lack of playing time is clearly impacting his play. All that said, this is still a player that could end up being a top-10 draft pick in a couple of months.