When the Houston Rockets tip off their NBA 2K24 Summer League schedule in Las Vegas on Friday night, the bulk of their roster will be their 2023 draft picks, free-agent rookies and cup-of-coffee veterans.

The Rockets also have included Jabari Smith Jr., the third player picked in the 2022 NBA Draft. The former Auburn standout is back for a second Summer League tour after earning second-team recognition on the NBA’s All-Rookie team for the 2022-23 season.

Smith started his pro career last year by averaging 14.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks in five games of Summer League action.

He followed that by averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.9 blocks while starting 79 games for Houston during the regular season.

In his final 20 games of the 2022-23 season, Smith averaged 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists and reached his scoring high with 30 points in a 134-125 loss to the Indiana Pacers on March 9.

“I would say it was very inconsistent,” Smith told hoopshype.com about his rookie season. “It was a good experience overall. I felt like I learned a lot, and I’m heading to my second year with confidence in how I finished the year. I’m ready for next season. But I would say it was OK. Definitely under my standards.”

For his second NBA season, Smith said he is focused on “getting stronger, picking my spots better, shot selection and ball handling. But overall, I think me getting stronger will help all aspects of my game. That’s been my main focus, and I’m ready to show it.”

Smith will get his opportunity at 6 p.m. CDT Friday, when the Rockets face the Portland Trail Blazers in their Summer League opener at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. ESPN will televise the game.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.