Dennis Smith Jr Makes NCAA Naismith Trophy Watch List

Each year the Naismith Trophy is awarded to the top college basketball player in the nation. Before the regular season begins, the NCAA puts out a ‘Watch list” to highlight the players that they feel are in the running for the award. You can usually find a  few Duke and UNC players on this list, however, it’s rare that NC State has a player listed. This year that is not the case.

The NCAA put out the watch list today for the Naismith Trophy and on that list is none other than NC State freshman PG Dennis Smith Jr.

Other ACC players on the list include: 
Grayson Allen – Duke
Dwayne Bacon – FSU
VJ Beachem – Notre Dame
Joel Berry II – UNC
Jaron Blossomgame – Clemson
Harry Giles – Duke
Tyler Lydon – Syracuse
Austin Nichols – Virginia
London Perrantes – Virginia
Jayson Tatum – Duke

Dennis Smith Jr, one of only 11 freshmen on this list and the major reason NC State is getting the hype they are receiving this year. While it seems like a lot to put on the shoulders of a freshman, if anyone can handle it, Dennis can. The limited preview we’ve already seen of Smith tells us that he is certainly worth the hype and certainly worthy of this list.