TrinityChristian’s Dennis Smith Jr. leaving N.C. State after one season for NBA
By Sammy Batten
Staff writer
As expected, it’ll be one-and-done career at N.C. State for Fayetteville’s Dennis Smith Jr.
The Wolfpack’s freshman point guard announced Tuesday morning during a broadcast of ESPN’s SportsCenter that he'll enter the 2017 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-3 Smith was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 18.1 points and 6.2 assist this season.
“I believed I had a good chance (to turn pro) when I entered college,’’ Smith said. “It was definitely an attainable dream for me and I knew I would chase it with all of my might.
“It meant a lot for me (to play at N.C. State). I've been a State fan my entire life, as well as my family, so it was definitely a dream come true to play in the red and white. I have the utmost respect for everybody I was there with. I'm thankful for the opportunity.’’
Smith, who played his high school ball at Fayetteville’s Trinity Christian Academy, is projected by most experts as one of the top 10 picks in June’s NBA draft. The website NBADraft.net predicts in its mock draft that Smith will be taken eighth by the Minnesota Timberwolves. CBSSports.com has Smith going to the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth selection.
If Smith is taken that high, he’ll become the first Cumberland County player in history to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft. So far, that honor is held by former Fayetteville High standout Vann Williford, another N.C. State product who was drafted in the third round of the 1970 draft (48th overall) by Phoenix. Williford opted to play for the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association.
Smith is the first Wolfpack player since Hawkeye Whitney in 1977 to be named ACC Freshman of the Year. He’s the only player in N.C. State history to be the sole winner of the honor as Whitney shared co-Rookie of the Year honors with Duke’s Mike Gminski.
Smith’s scoring average of 18.1 points is the highest for a freshman in N.C. State history and his 62 steals are the most steals by a Wolfpack freshman. The three-time ACC Freshman of the Week finished with 197 assists on the year, second-most in State history by a freshman.
By Sammy Batten
Staff writer
As expected, it’ll be one-and-done career at N.C. State for Fayetteville’s Dennis Smith Jr.
The Wolfpack’s freshman point guard announced Tuesday morning during a broadcast of ESPN’s SportsCenter that he'll enter the 2017 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-3 Smith was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 18.1 points and 6.2 assist this season.
“I believed I had a good chance (to turn pro) when I entered college,’’ Smith said. “It was definitely an attainable dream for me and I knew I would chase it with all of my might.
“It meant a lot for me (to play at N.C. State). I've been a State fan my entire life, as well as my family, so it was definitely a dream come true to play in the red and white. I have the utmost respect for everybody I was there with. I'm thankful for the opportunity.’’
Smith, who played his high school ball at Fayetteville’s Trinity Christian Academy, is projected by most experts as one of the top 10 picks in June’s NBA draft. The website NBADraft.net predicts in its mock draft that Smith will be taken eighth by the Minnesota Timberwolves. CBSSports.com has Smith going to the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth selection.
If Smith is taken that high, he’ll become the first Cumberland County player in history to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft. So far, that honor is held by former Fayetteville High standout Vann Williford, another N.C. State product who was drafted in the third round of the 1970 draft (48th overall) by Phoenix. Williford opted to play for the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association.
Smith is the first Wolfpack player since Hawkeye Whitney in 1977 to be named ACC Freshman of the Year. He’s the only player in N.C. State history to be the sole winner of the honor as Whitney shared co-Rookie of the Year honors with Duke’s Mike Gminski.
Smith’s scoring average of 18.1 points is the highest for a freshman in N.C. State history and his 62 steals are the most steals by a Wolfpack freshman. The three-time ACC Freshman of the Week finished with 197 assists on the year, second-most in State history by a freshman.
