Jabari Smith Jr: “I see myself as an All-Defensive player”

Mar 11, 2026 11:48 PM

Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. recently discussed the high-level of pride he brings as a defender.

(via Houston Rockets):

“I think that’s just from watching film. That’s from me playing pickup in Atlanta just trying to pick up full court, trying to work on different techniques, trying to take bumps, working on my body. That’s just something I just want to keep improving every night. I see myself as an All-Defensive player, All-Defensive Team type of guy. So I hold myself to that standard, Ime [Udoka] holds me to that standard. All the coaches do, all my teammates do. So it’s just on me every night to bring that same attention to detail, same physicality, same energy on that side of the ball every night. I’m still working at it, but I’m definitely focusing on it for sure.”