Elite American prospect signs with Newcastle

Former NBA G-League player and Overtime Elite alumni Jai Smith has signed with the NBL1 East’s Newcastle Falcons for the 2024 season. 

The 6’7” 20-year-old power forward was a highly touted prospect in the 2021 recruitment period, declining multiple offers from Division I colleges to play in the Overtime Elite.

His success in the program led him to the G-League, where he played nine games for the Austin Spurs and Sioux Falls Skyforce, scoring 12 points and averaging four minutes a game across the two teams. 

Star prospect @jai_smith131 is headed Down Under for 2024 with the @NBL1East’s Newcastle Falcons ?

Read more: https://t.co/KQOVDJuvDN

? @OvertimeElite pic.twitter.com/locpaRrdSZ

— NBL1 (@NBL1) December 13, 2023

Smith told the Falcons he cannot wait to arrive in Australia and plans to dominate. 

“I am very excited about coming to Newcastle. It looks like a beautiful city,” Smith said.

“I just want to win and dominate and give 110% every time I touch the floor. My goal with the team is to be champions, and for myself to improve every day and become the best player I can be.”

Falcons head coach Josh Morgan said that Smith’s athleticism and skillset are a welcome addition to the group -- with his signing also allowing their star player Ryan Beisty to expand his role. 

“Physically, Jai is very fit and athletic, and he will further strengthen our rebounding and hopefully alter a lot of shots defensively throughout the course of the year,” coach Morgan explained. 

“We identified early that we wanted to bring in a 4-man so we could utilise Ryan’s versatility a little more, and we are excited by what Jai is going to bring.

“Jai has had a taste of the G-League with Sioux Falls and Austin Spurs as a development player but is now looking at getting more games and furthering his development. He will hopefully complement the rest of our front court and indeed the whole team.”

The NBL1 East season starts on April 6th, see the full fixture here. Stay up-to-date with all the latest NBL1 signings via the 2024 Roster Tracker here.