2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 11: Love and hate edition
By Chris Stone
Learn more about Dennis Smith Jr. at The Step Back."
> 
2
Dennis Smith Jr.
PG, North Carolina St.
What to love: North Carolina State’s Dennis Smith is an electric athlete with a lot of potential as a lead guard at the NBA level. After recovering from an ACL injury suffered during his senior year of high school, Smith is finally turning a corner. He’s averaged a pace adjusted 21.2 points, 6.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds per 40 minutes this season, according to DraftExpress’ stats database. The 19-year old is explosive in transition, a capable decision-maker in the halfcourt and a solid outside shooter having knocked down 37.0 percent of his 3-point attempts as a freshman.
What to hate: The biggest concern with Smith is the combination of a lack of size and a lack of effort on the defensive end of the floor. At 6-foot-3 without a lengthy wingspan, he seems set to be a one, maybe two, position defender in the NBA. Add that to the fact that Smith’s attention to detail off the ball waxes and wanes with his interest level in the game and it presents a potentially problematic defender at the next level. The one positive for Smith on this end of the floor is his ability to create steals. The freshman has shown good anticipation and instincts when jumping passing lanes and has the type of quick hands that can disrupt opposing ballhandlers.