Marcus Smart is considered one of the best point guards in this draft class. Many believe he would have been a top-3 pick in last year’s draft had he decided to come out, but he stayed an extra year at Oklahoma State to improve his game.
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The extra year may have hurt him in some eyes, however, especially after an incident during the season in which Smart shoved a fan at Texas Tech. It because of this situation that Smart had an easy response when asked by Serena Winters what people’s biggest misconception of him is:
My character. Everybody thinks that because of that incident (shoving a Texas Tech fan) I’m a bad guy, I’m a thug. If you really understand me, you know that my character is one of the best characters that you can have and it won’t change. That little incident didn’t affect how I am as a person.
Smart definitely came under heavy fire after the incident with many calling his character into question. Though he has fought to improve his reputation, Smart will continue to be questioned about the incident by every team who interviews him.
Smart is known as fiery and passionate, characteristics that are praised on the basketball court, but must be kept in line. Smart by all accounts is a good person, but one bad incident harmed his reputation to the fans.
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The best thing Smart can do to make people forget is to come in the NBA and be great from the moment he steps on the court. Once that happens, Smart’s character won’t come under scrutiny.
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NBA Draft Profile: Marcus Smart