2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following National Championship Game

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – JANUARY 27: South Carolina Gamecocks forward Maik Kotsar (21) drives to the basket against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Zhaire Smith (2) during the first half between Texas Tech and South Carolina on January 27, 2018 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – JANUARY 27: South Carolina Gamecocks forward Maik Kotsar (21) drives to the basket against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Zhaire Smith (2) during the first half between Texas Tech and South Carolina on January 27, 2018 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Guard/Forward. Texas Tech Red Raiders. Zhaire Smith. 10. player. 93.

Age: 18 (6/24/1999)
Height & Weight: 6’5″ & 180 pounds
Slash Line: .556/.450/.717
Season Averages: 28.4 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 3PM

Zhaire Smith is a project player with a superstar ceiling, which makes him absolutely perfect for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers aren’t in a position to feature a top-10 draft pick on offense, let alone in the starting lineup, which makes a long-term process quite ideal.

Smith may be viewed as a reach by some, but he’s one of the top 10 prospects on my big board—and has the ceiling of a lockdown defender and gifted all-around offensive player.

Smith has a Gerald Green level of athleticism in the way he effortlessly runs the floor and plays above the rim. Defensively, he has the type of instincts that few possess at any age, which is the foundation for his Andre Roberson comparison on that end of the floor.

Those instincts translate to offense, as well, with Smith displaying the natural understanding of the game to be able to pass teammates open.

This is a project pick, but the 76ers don’t exactly have the flexibility to work with anything else. Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid are locked in as long-term starters, with Covington being the oldest of the group.

Thus, the 76ers can comfortably draft for raw potential here and acquire a player who has the tools to develop into a star on both ends of the floor.