2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 12: The Lakers keep their pick

There’s no better way to assuage any concerns about your place among the elite draft prospects than to go into Cameron Indoor Stadium on the national stage and knock off a high profile opponent like Duke. North Carolina State’s Dennis Smith Jr. did just that on Monday, putting up 32 points, six assists and four rebounds in an 84-82 upset of the Blue Devils.

Smith’s entire offensive arsenal was on display in the victory. He showed off his pick-and-roll game against Duke’s porous defense, often whipping passes to open teammates or using his change of pace to attack the rim where he finished six of his 10 chances, per Hoop-Math. The freshman also knocked down four of his six 3-point attempts, raising his season average to a respectable 37.6 percent from behind the arc. Smith also added a pair of steals by playing with active hands on defense.

Because of his elite athleticism, Smith may have as high of an upside as any of the point guards in this draft class and he showed that off on Monday night by coming up huge in a big game that featured plenty of other first round picks. Smith, though, is the best of the lot.

Learn more about Dennis Smith Jr. at The Step Back.