HoopsHype recently released their 2017 NBA Mock Draft, and they picked NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr as next years #1 pick.
Here’s what they had to say about Smith:
Smith going first might be going out on a limb considering he’s coming off a torn ACL injury and missed his senior season of high school. But you will remember we went out on a limb going into the season two years ago with a guy named Karl Anthony-Towns at 1, when everyone else projected Jahlil Okafor first. Smith is a rare lead guard with a combination of athleticism, point guard skills and leadership. He points to Chris Paul and Derrick Rose as players that he looks up to in the NBA and he’s sort of a combination of the two. Smith is a charismatic young man who has a strong belief in himself and great leadership. He’ll obviously need to prove that his knee is completely recovered, but we expect a huge freshman season from him and consider him as good a choice as anyone to project first going into the 2016-17 season. While he lost his senior year and all of the showcase games, he gained a year of perspective being around the Wolfpack team as he rehabbed his knee. His ability to slow the game down and make decisions on drives is special. If he gains consistency in his shot, watch out.
HoopsHype 2017 NBA Mock Draft
1) Dennis Smith Jr., NC State
2) Josh Jackson, Kansas
3) Harry Giles, Duke
4) Markelle Fultz, Washington
5) Frank Ntilikina, France
6) Jayson Tatum, Duke
7) Jonathan Isaac, FSU
8) De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky
9) Lonzo Ball, UCLA
10) Ivan Rabb, Cal
11) Wenyen Gabriel, Kentucky
12) Isaiah Hartenstein, Lithuania
13) Bam Adebayo, Kentucky
14) Malik Monk, Kentucky
15) Jarrett Allen, Texas
16) Tyler Lydon, Syracuse
17) Edmond Sumner, Xavier
18) Ray Smith, Arizona
19) Grayson Allen, Duke
20) DJ Hogg, Texas A&M
21) Terry Larrier, UCONN
22) Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson
23) Terrance Ferguson, Australia
24) Miles Bridges, Michigan st.
25) Jonathan Jeanne, France
26) Alonzo Trier, Arizona
27) Nik Slavica, Croatia
28) Justin Jackson, UNC
29) Tyler Roberson, Syracuse
30) Moses Kingsley, Arkansas
Does this mean he’s expected to be a one and done player? Any chance of him sticking around for more than one years of play?
No. He’s Gone.