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NC State Basketball: Dennis Smith Jr. declares for NBA Draft

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Clemson Tigers guard Avry Holmes (12) defends North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) during the first half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Clemson Tigers guard Avry Holmes (12) defends North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) during the first half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NC State basketball team didn’t have the season many had hoped, but they did have one shining star in Dennis Smith Jr.

Smith was the only bright spot for a Wolfpack team who finished the season 15-17 and fired their head coach before the campaign even ended. The turmoil mixed in with tremendous talent is why Smith has decided to declare for the NBA Draft.

Smith has decided to forego his final three seasons with NC State and head to the NBA and he made the announcement live on ESPN’s Sportscenter. This was a decision that didn’t surprise many, though.

Smith was only a true freshman this past season but he was sensational. He managed to average 18.1 points, 6.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. He led the team in both points and assists and was second on the team in rebounds.

NC State now has to figure out how to replace all of those stats. They still have some players on the roster that can put up points and pull down rebounds but Smith was the complete package. It will now be a tough task for new head coach Kevin Keatts to compete in the ACC with such a limited roster.

The NBA will now receive this talented player and Smith is projected to actually go pretty high in the upcoming draft. The pre-tournament edition of The Step Back Big Board had Smith listed as the fourth-best prospect in the draft. You can read his full scouting report here.

This is a pretty talented draft so having Smith that high is great praise for the young kid.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft Big Board: Pre-Tournament edition

The NBA Draft should be interesting come June. There are some talented players that are going to be selected and Smith just added his name to that hat.