Valparaiso Graduate Transfer Derrik Smits Visiting NC State Soon

Derrik Smits (7’1″/235) decided to transfer from Valparaiso on March 18th after graduating.

As you can see above, Reamer reported that Smits is planning on going through the Draft process, with the option to return to school (which is most likely).

Reamer reported yesterday that Smits has already visited Butler, and will be visiting Arizona State and NC State over the next 10 days, and will choose between those three schools.

Coming out of high school, Smits was a 3-star prospect, ranked as the #11 player in the state of Indiana. Smits chose Valparaiso over offers from Butler, Clemson, Xavier and Indiana.

Smits sat out his first season at Valpo due to injury, and then played the past three seasons.

He saw a big jump across the board last year, seeing career highs in games started (25), minutes played (21.7), field goal percentage (59.4%), rebounds (5.7), and points (12.2).

NC State can fill 1 more spot before next season, and a front-court player is the priority. Pat Andree (6’8″), Graduate Transfer out of Lehigh, is on campus in Raleigh for a visit this weekend.

Andree has the height of a big fella, but is also a three-point specialist (41%). Smits is your prototypical “big.”

Smits has NBA pedigree. You might remember his pops: Rik Smits.

His father played 12 seasons in the NBA, was an All-Star in 1997-98, and averaged 14.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Smits gets his height from his father, who stood 7’4′.

With one year of eligibility left, Smits has to decide if he’s willing to leave the state of Indiana. He has the option to stay in-state by going to Butler, or he can check out the West coast at Arizona State, or the East coast at NC State.