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Pack in the Pros

Mavs Grooming Dennis Smith Jr. To Be a ‘Cornerstone’

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7 years ago

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Last year at this time Dennis Smith Jr. was experiencing media day as a Freshman at NC State. Yesterday he experienced it as a rookie in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs took Smith Jr. with the 9th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft this summer, and according to head coach Rick Carlisle, his plan remains to start him at point guard from Day 1.

“I understand the level of excitement, and people should be excited. You know, this kid is going to show really some amazing things that we haven’t seen at the point guard position ever with this franchise. That said, this is a learning process,” Carlisle said Monday while addressing the Dallas media. “On Draft Night I projected him as a starter, and my plan at this point is going to be to start him. And so, you know, that’s a lot of responsibility, but he needs to learn quickly. The best way for a guy like him to learn quickly is to be thrown out there and be put in a position to have to do it. He’s a competitor and he’s a prideful kid, and he’s serious about this.” (Mavs)

Dirk Nowitzki, the greatest player to ever play in a Mavericks Jersey, and a for sure future Hall of Famer, has only seen Dennis play for a couple of weeks now, but he has seen enough to believe that he could be a ‘cornerstone’ for the Mavs to build their team around for years to come.

“I’ve seen Dennis now the last few weeks scrimmaging a little bit in the gym, and I’ve rarely seen an athlete like this at the point guard spot,” Nowitzki proclaimed. “He’s just freakish when he goes down the lane and how easy he goes. You know, he just pushes off his calves a little bit, and next thing you know he’s at the rim. He’s just really quick, really explosive, and he’s actually a decent passer. He’s a good decision maker already at that age, so I think he’s going to be hopefully a cornerstone for our franchise for a long, long time. He’s going to be fun to play with and he’s going to be fun to watch for our fans for a long, long time. But you know, as I always say, rookie years sometimes are tough. You’re going through stretches were the games just keep coming, and at times you may seem overwhelmed. You’ve just got to fight through those times. And if he does, the sky is the limit. I mean, he’s explosive and he’s got all the tools, so I’m looking forward to him hopefully having a long, long career here.” (Mavs)

Check out DSJ on the mic at his first NBA Media Day as a Maverick:

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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1 week ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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1 week ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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1 week ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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1 week ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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