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NC State’s Terquavion Smith Will Forgo His Remaining College Eligibility & Declare for NBA Draft

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1 year ago

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Well, it’s official. NC State Sophomore Terquavion Smith will forgo his remaining two years of college eligibility and officially declare for the 2023 NBA Draft.

Here’s what Smith had to say to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony regarding his decision.

“I’m forgoing my college eligibility and going all the way in,” Smith said. “I’m thankful for everything the NC State coaching staff and fans have done for me. This is the right decision for me to take care of my family.”

“I showed a lot of different things this year,” Smith said. “Teams wanted to see me be more of a point guard, making the right play, making the right decisions. They wanted to see me improve my finishing, and I increased that. I showed I can be a leader.”

“I improved my grades. I’m a year closer to getting my degree now. You only get one chance to be a college student and get that college vibe. There was no rush for me. I’m ready to contribute to an NBA team now.”

“I’m feeling good about everything now,” Smith said. “I came back to do what I needed to do. I feel like I did everything the right way. I know what’s coming now in the pre-draft process because I’ve been there already and know what to expect. I’ll be a lot more confident in myself now. It’s going to be a straight grind.” (ESPN)

Smith earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors this year, averaging 17.9 points and 4.1 assists per game.

He currently ranks 30th on ESPN’s Top-100 2023 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings. In most NBA Mock Drafts, Smith is projected as a late first round pick.

Smith’s career scoring average of 17.1 ranks 8th in school history. He made 187 three point shots in two seasons, ranking 8th all-time in NC State history. His 96 made three-pointers last year are the most ever by a Freshman in school history, and his 91 made three-pointers made this year are the most ever by a Sophomore.

If Smith goes on to be taken in the 1st round of the 2023 NBA Draft, it will be the first person to do so from NC State since Dennis Smith Jr. was taken 9th overall in 2017. If Smith is taken in the first round, the would become the 17th player in school history to do so.

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Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Rev
Rev
1 year ago

Not exactly pertinent for this thread, but I am just astounded that the Keatts haters still dominate most of the forums. Some of them are just anger-filled people who take out their life disappointments on our sports teams, especially Keatts. Many are suffering from rectoptic syndrome (rectal interference with the optic nerve causes a shitty outlook).

0
Rev
Rev
1 year ago

Glad the announcement wasn’t delayed any further. It has to help with the transfer situation, if only to confirm that there are at least 60 minutes per game available in our backcourt.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 year ago

KK needs to get the Ryan kid from Notre Dame on this team. Too good to pass on.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 year ago

The kids from Temple or Arizona State would be a good choice. Both are from NC.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 year ago

Thank God, the ball hog is gone. Anhyone that has to shoot as many times as he does should average 30 points a game not 17.

-2
Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

WHAT???? OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As many times as he came crashing down on the floor and got back up and kept on playing, we were really lucky he didn’t leave after year one.
Certainly Keatts’ best ‘find’ ever, so far.
Thanks T!

1
Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago

Another day goes by with no LJ or Pass in the portal. Also, no Miranda in the portal or announcing for the draft. I like no news like that.

I am more concerned with ensuring we have a dominant athletic big man than I am with guard acquisitions. Then a scoring compliment to Ross, who could be a breakout player next year.

1
Afterglow
Afterglow
1 year ago
Reply to  Dof87

I would lean more toward point guard, but I guess a lot of that depends on what Dusan does (or can do?). Maybe that’s to your point, though. Hell, I’m greedy, give me both a point guard and a big man, with a side of anything else I want.

But, back to point guards, Taran Armstrong is interesting. 6’5″ and for 2022-23, he averaged 11.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 5.0 APG. Seems pretty solid to me but I wonder if we’re looking at him.

Last edited 1 year ago by Afterglow
1
Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago
Reply to  Afterglow

I’m just more confident KK will find the guard(s) we need. Not saying they are less important.

0
Rev
Rev
1 year ago
Reply to  Afterglow

I too wonder why Armstrong is not getting more attention.

0
Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago

I’m pulling for him to find great success. Great person on top of a memorable player.

1
Afterglow
Afterglow
1 year ago

It’s the right thing to do, after all, I’d hate to see him stay and get injured.

2

NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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1 hour ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is on a visit to NC State currently, according to a source.

Indiana State Transfer Ryan Conwell was on campus last week, but he just committed to Xavier.

From what I hear, the staff preferred James over Connell anyway. A plus with James is he has 2 years of eligibility, whereas Conwell has 1.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

Rivals ranked James as the #71 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class, and ESPN ranked him as the #7 prospect in the state of Florida.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years. This year, he averaged 12.6 points and 5 rebounds.

For a more extensive look at James’ game, click here.

Rivals ranks James as the #77 overall player in the Transfer Portal.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is a Priority for NC State

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5 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is a priority for NC State, according to a source.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years.

This past year, James averaged 12.6 points per game (3rd on the team) and 5 rebounds. He’s extremely physical and aggressive, taking 47% of his field goal attempts at the rim (making 46%). As a result, he draws a lot of fouls, ranking 10th in the ACC in Fouls Drawn, and 4th in Free Throw Rate. James made opponents pay this year when they put him on the line, making 81.8% from the charity stripe, which ranked 15th in the ACC.

James shot the ball better as a Redshirt Freshman, than he did this past season. His Effective Field Goal Percentage in 2022-23 was 55.8%, which ranked 19th in the ACC, and his True Shooting Percentage of 59.6% ranked 14th.

He does have the ability to knock down a three, making 34.8% for his career.

NC State already hosted Indiana State Transfer Guard Ryan Conwell last week, and while the Wolfpack coaches like both players, from what I’m hearing, James would be their preference.

NC State hasn’t had James in for a visit, but that could happen soon.

James has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Casey Morsell is the 4th Player in NCAA History to Start 41 Games in a Season

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11 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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NC State Guard Casey Morsell started 41 games for the Wolfpack this season, becoming the 4th player in NCAA history to do so.

 

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A post shared by NC State Basketball (@packmensbball)

Prior to this season, the record for most games started in a single season in NC State history was 37, with three Wolfpack players doing so: Lorenzo Brown, Richard Howell, CJ Williams.

Morsell now sits atop the list, and a fellow teammate, DJ Burns ranks second, with 40 games started this season.

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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21 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Georgetown Forward Transfer Dontrez Styles (6’6″/212) has committed to NC State!

Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.

Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.

After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.

ON3 ranks Styles as the #104 overall player in the Portal.

With his final year of eligibility, Styles’ made the right choice this time.

NC State now has 2 scholarships remaining after Styles’ commitment.

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