Jalen Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jalen Smith

Smith with the Indiana Pacers in 2022
No. 7 – Chicago Bulls
Center / power forward
Personal information
Born	(2000-03-16) March 16, 2000 (age 25) Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
High school	Mount Saint Joseph (Baltimore, Maryland)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	Maryland (2018–2020)
NBA Draft	2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Pro career	2020–present
League	NBA
Career history
2020–2022	Phoenix Suns
2021	→Agua Caliente Clippers
2022–2024	Indiana Pacers
2024–present	Chicago Bulls
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-American – AP, SN, USBWA, NABC (2020) First-team All-Big Ten (2020) Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2020) Big Ten All-Freshman team (2019) McDonald's All-American (2018) 2× Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year (2017, 2018)

Jalen Rasheed Smith (born on March 16, 2000) is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association (NBA). People sometimes call him "Stix". Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins.

Jalen Smith was chosen 10th overall in the 2020 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. In his first year with the Suns, he played in the NBA Finals. In February 2022, he moved to the Indiana Pacers. As of July 2024, he joined the Chicago Bulls.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Jalen Smith was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. His parents are Charles and Orletha Smith. He went to Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland.

High School Achievements

During his senior year, Jalen was a star player. He scored about 22.2 points per game. He also grabbed 12.0 rebounds and blocked 4.0 shots per game. He won the Gatorade Maryland Boys Basketball Player of the Year award twice. This was in 2017 and 2018. He was also picked for the 2018 McDonald's All-American team. This team features the best high school players in the country.

Experts thought Jalen was one of the top 25 basketball players in his age group. This was before he went to college.

College Basketball Career

Smith with Maryland in 2020

On November 8, 2017, Jalen decided to play for Maryland. He chose Maryland over other big schools like Villanova and Virginia.

Freshman Year at Maryland

As a freshman, Jalen played very well. He averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He also blocked 1.2 shots per game. In the NCAA Tournament, he scored 19 points and had 12 rebounds against Belmont. In the next game against LSU, he got 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks.

Sophomore Year at Maryland

Jalen continued to improve in his second year. On December 4, 2019, he had 15 points and a career-high 16 rebounds against Notre Dame. On January 21, 2020, he scored a career-high 25 points. He also had 11 rebounds in a win against Northwestern.

At the end of the season, Jalen was named to the First Team All-Big Ten. He was also on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. The Associated Press and The Sporting News named him a Third Team All-American. He averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. After this great season, Jalen decided to enter the 2020 NBA draft.

Professional Basketball Career

Phoenix Suns (2020–2022)

The Phoenix Suns picked Jalen Smith as the 10th player in the 2020 NBA draft. He officially signed with the Suns on November 24, 2020.

In his first year, Jalen played in eight games for the Suns. He also spent some time with the Agua Caliente Clippers. This team is part of the NBA G League, where players can get more playing time. Jalen finished his rookie season by reaching the NBA Finals with the Suns. However, they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Indiana Pacers (2022–2024)

On February 10, 2022, Jalen was traded to the Indiana Pacers. He moved there along with a future draft pick. The Pacers sent Torrey Craig to the Suns in return.

On July 1, 2022, Jalen signed a new two-year deal with the Pacers. The team's coach, Rick Carlisle, said Jalen would be a starter. He also called him an "important part of our future." On November 18, Jalen had a career-high 18 rebounds against the Houston Rockets. He also scored 10 points and blocked 3 shots. On November 27, he scored a career-high 23 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. During the 2022–23 season, Jalen often moved in and out of the starting lineup.

For the 2023–24 season, Jalen became the main backup center for the Pacers. On November 8, 2023, he had his first "double-double" of the season. This means he had 16 points and 11 rebounds in a win against the Utah Jazz.

Chicago Bulls (2024–Present)

On July 8, 2024, Jalen Smith signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Career Statistics

Jalen Smith's statistics show how he has played in the NBA and college.

NBA Regular Season

NBA Playoffs

College Statistics

Personal Life

Jalen's father, Charles, used to be a Chief in the Navy. Jalen is known by his nickname, "Stix." However, after he gained more muscle for the 2019–20 season, his college coach, Mark Turgeon, sometimes called him "Logs."

See also

In Spanish: Jalen Smith para niños