Tyler Smith

Guaranteed, already, to have one of the Association’s most prolific veteran cores, the Milwaukee Bucks entered 2024-25 perhaps pondering one question: who among their young core is capable of stepping up night-after-night? On the quite literal first evening of their 82-game regular season journey, such honors belonged to a versatile 6-foot-11 lefty by the name of Tyler Smith. Uniquely positioned to offer a dagger-type shot with Milwaukee — mixing their game-closing lineup with not-yet-proven reserves — Smith made his name a somewhat well-heard one over the loudspeakers, collecting a catch-and-shoot triple and putback finish in quick succession. Already known along the G League circuit, Milwaukee’s No. 33 pick put his repertoire on display on the more high-stakes scene, needing all of a two-minute, 13-second opportunity to collect five points (on two-of-three shooting), one rebound, and one 3-pointer. In the process, Smith helped provide exclamation to October 23, 2024’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers, as he passed his first-ever NBA test with flying colors.

Three-Star Rookie