Philadelphia 76ers Don’t Expect Rookie Zhaire Smith to Play This Season

It isn’t uncommon for Philadelphia 76ers’ first round picks to miss their entire rookie season including their All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The same could now happen too Zhaire Smith, who was the 16^th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Smith didn’t play a single game for the 76ers this season, breaking his foot at a summer development camp and having to undergo a surgery. And while the 19-year-old has returned to practice, it seems that Philadelphia will be cautious about his recovery.

The 76ers’ head coach Brett Brown recently talked with reporters about Zhaire Smith and said that he doesn’t expect the player to play for the first team this season. Brown, however, added that Smith might play a few games for Philadelphia’s G League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats.

Brett Brown doesn’t expect @zhaire_smith to play for the #Sixers this season. The hope is for him to play some games for the @blue_coats.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 20, 2019

Zhaire Smith played college basketball at Texas Tech, where he averaged 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He entered the NBA 2018 Draft after his freshman year, where he was selected by Phoenix Suns. Smith was then traded on the draft night to the 76ers alongside Miami Heat’s 2021 first round pick in exchange for Mikal Bridges.