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Dennis Smith Jr. out with hip injury from ‘freak-accident’

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Dennis Smith Jr had just started to really figure things out.

The rookie PG was coming off a stretch of good games that had his coach raving about his improvements. His 14.4 ppg is second on the team behind Harrison Barnes, and his 4 assists per game are second to only JJ Barea. However, for the time being, that’s where they’re going to stay.

The former Wolfpack PG is going to miss at least the next 2 games with the Mavericks due to a hip injury that you might be able to blame on the media.

“It’s a big loss,” Carlisle said. “Dennis has been playing better and better. He’s coming off a couple good games this week. We’re just unlucky.

“He slid into a cameraman and kind of took his leg out and strained his left hip-groin area. We’re hoping it’s not serious. He’s out these next two games and we’ll re-evaluate from there.” (Dallas News)

Dennis Smith Jr, however, left the cameraman out of it initially.

“It was on the baseline in the first half. It was a freak accident and I played through it. I just landed the wrong way. I had a play going to the hole and got some contact and then I didn’t land balanced.” (Dallas News)

But when asked if that was the real story he said jokingly:

I’ll let ya’ll make that call.

Let’s hope this is just a blip on the radar and Smith Jr returns after just two games. We’ll keep you updated.

Pack in the Pros

Former NC State G Terquavion Smith Earns a Spot on the 2023-23 NBA G-League All-Rookie Team

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Former NC State Guard Terquavion Smith earned a spot on the 2023-24 NBA G-League All-Rookie Team.

Smith averaged 22.3 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game for the Delaware Blue Coats. What’s crazy, is that he only started in 3 of the 36 games he played in. With that being said, he averaged 30.7 minutes per game. Smith shot 35.6% from three.

As a 2-way player, Smith also played 16 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 3.3 points in 5.3 minutes per game. He shot 37.1% from three.

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NC State LB Payton Wilson Visited with the Steelers Yesterday

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson had a Top-30 visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Wilson is the first Linebacker the Steelers have brought in.

Wilson has already had Top-30 visits with the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers.

PFF ranks Wilson as the #1 Linebacker in the 2024 Draft, and #26 on their Big Board.

1. LB PAYTON WILSONNC STATE

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 26

Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker. What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense. (PFF)

Will someone take Wilson in the 1st round? Will he be a 2nd round pick? If he slips past that, that’s just stupid.

 

 

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NC State’s DJ Horne Declares for the NBA Draft

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NC State Guard DJ Horne has officially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft.

 

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A post shared by DJ Horne (@djhorne)

Horne is trying to become the first Wolfpack player to be drafted since Dennis Smith Jr. was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 6th pick in the 1st Round.

While Horne might not currently be projected to be drafted, he is trying to change that tune at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament which begins tomorrow.

Horne is a special player, and genuinely possesses the skill set to compete at the next level. Whether he is drafted, or signs a 2-way contract, what he put on tape this year warrants a chance.





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Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is Receiving Interest from NFL Teams

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Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is receiving interest from NFL teams. Thus far, those teams are the Rams, Chargers, 49ers, and Broncos.

Last season as a Senior, Jackson had 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 12 games for the Wolfpack. His Run Defense grade on PFF was 80.6, ranking 4th on the team.

According to current projections, Jackson projects to be taken on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, or picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent.

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