Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. and Suns’ Kevin Durant practice together

For the second year in a row, Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. has found a way to work out with a future Hall of Famer. Smith spent the Fourth of July holiday working out alongside Phoenix Suns All-Star Kevin Durant. The video shows Smith working on his pull-up jumper alongside Durant in a high school gym.

Smith and Durant have been training together ahead of the 2023-24 season, leading the former league MVP to reminisce about their time together following the Rockets’ 114-110 win over the Suns in February.

“It’s always good to get in the gym with the younger guys,” Durant said. “They see the game with a different perspective. I ask them the same things, I’m still a student of the game, even though I’ve seen it all. We just bounce ideas off each other. I’m happy to see them play better than last year and take the next step.”

Smith averaged 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in 76 games during the 2023-24 season, a slight increase from his rookie year. He also tied a career high with 16 double-doubles, and his production helped establish him as a key part of the Rockets’ young core.

Durant just completed his 15th season, averaging 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 75 games with the Suns.

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