But he also knew that in choosing NC State, that they would respect his recovery from his injury and would be the best school to allow him to rehab at his own pace. Its just in the way that he carries himself on the court with his confidence, and his court vision and size should carry over to the NBA to create a solid floor for him. Dennis Smith Jr. has an overall rating of 77 on NBA 2K21. And it is truly amazing what a difference he makes to this team. Dennis Smith Jr. posted 12 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3PT), two rebounds, two assists, and two turnovers in 26 minutes during Thursday's loss to the Knicks. A hub for the hardcore NBA Draft enthusiast. The ninth overall pick has been absolutely lighting it up so far in Las Vegas. Has a unique ability to get into the lane. Whatever team lands Lonzo Ball in this years draft is sure getting a confident guy who will always be able to show up and give them some consistency every game. The New York Knicks’ offseason hasn’t been too eventful. © 2021 DraftExpress LLC All rights reserved. Dennis Smith Jr. vs Gilbert Arenas Dennis Smith, Point Guard, Trinity Christian (NC), Class of 2016 Jonathan Givony Recruiting Rankings: Scout #6, 24/7 #8, Rivals #5, ESPN #9 Strengths:-Good size-Strong frame-Tremendous athlete-Can play above the rim with ease-Changes speeds -Great quickness in open court -Shows sparks of intriguing court vision Before going in detail, here are Dennis Smith's college stats (per 40 minutes) 20.8 PPG, 7.1 APG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 SPG,… Dennis Smith Jr. – 6’2″ Point Guard, North Carolina State University, 19 years Old. June 14, 2020 August 13, 2014 by NBA Draft Room. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. He has that alpha dog mentality, but still shows a knack for creating for others at least some what, and seems to genuinely being apart of this NC State team, always the first guy to jump off the bench and cheer, to dap guys as they come off the court. He can hang with anybody with his shifty handles and his craftiness with the ball in his hands. Dennis Smith Jr pre draft workout by player development coach Nick Friedman.instagram: @desmith4 @bignickwilly @slowmotion00 (watch his dunk at the end of the Duke game, he can really get up). Against De’Aaron Fox on Kentucky, a future NBA player. He can shoot (13 of 26 after two games), rebound, and has good vision on offense. He has transformed UCLA’s program into a serious Final Four contender just in one year. He attended NC State University for one season of college basketball and earned second-team all-conference honors in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) as a freshman as well as ACC Freshman of the Year. Measurables: 6'1", 195 lbs, 6’3" wingspan, 8'1" standing reach. But you can see it whenever he takes the floor, the team is behind him at all times and plays their hardest when he’s on the floor. He isn’t a huge talker, but Lonzo Ball shows up every game ready to play. The attributes that people did expect to see from Dennis Smith are his ball handles, as it seems that the ball is on a string for him, and also his ability to drive to the hoop and finish baskets. He is 6’6” and has a wingspan of 6’7”. He attended NC State University for one season of college basketball and earned second-team all-conference honors in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) as a freshman as well as ACC Freshman of the Year. It seems as though sometimes, he is trying to show NBA scouts that even though his form is very unconventional, that it will not affect him in the future. Dennis Smith Jr. NBA Draft Scouting Report. Comparison: Kyle Lowry. Lonzo Ball also has a very unique size for him as a PG. At the moment, Smith is projected to be selected in the top ten, given his highly successful freshman campaign. He is very shifty with the ball in his hands and has tremendous burst …. 2017 NBA Mock Draft coverage for the 2017 NBA Draft Class. Pros: Gifted scorer off the dribble. That is how many players were taken before Dennis Smith Jr. in the 2017 NBA draft. It’s not just the fact that he makes his threes at a very effective rate, but Lonzo Ball can shoot the ball anywhere on the court. But the question is, will his skills translate to the NBA, or will we see another version of Michael Carter Williams who, so far, has majorly disappointed all the teams who have gotten him. Date. Strengths: Smith is arguably the most explosive athlete in the draft, despite tearing his ACL a little over a year ago …. Change ), Paul George Playing Like an All Star in the Pacers Latest Win Streak. He attended high school at Trinity Christian School in North Carolina Page updated as of 4/8/2020, ... 2017 Top 100 Prospect Rank: 6. ( Log Out /  But one that has been noticed by most NBA scouts is that they don’t know if he has any midrange game, and simply it is because Ball doesn’t take many of them. Draft Comparison #1: Dennis Smith jr. vs Lonzo Ball. Dennis Smith Jr. vs Steven Adams. Dennis Smith Jr. vs Carmelo Anthony. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065697/dennis-smith-jr He was the 9th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft selected by the Dallas Mavericks . Smith Jr. has also grown into a leadership role that should follow him in his NBA career. Dennis Smith Jr. is a very quick/explosive athlete who is nearly impossible to stay in front of purely on an athletic stand point, but is extremely difficult to defend when his shot is falling. A long tweener guard … Lonzo ball went to Chino Hills High School with his 2 brothers, Liangelo and Lamelo, and Chino Hills is one of the most dominant high schools in basketball. An NBA team looking for their new franchise cornerstone is bound to raise some alarms with a player who has had a history of knee injuries, given in todays game how important it is for teams to stay healthy. “This is a huge night for us,” Carlisle said. Dennis Smith Jr. goes 12-2-2 in Thursday's loss. The home of hype and hope. Dennis brings a lot to the table in terms of raw talent, but has a lot of refining to do. 25.5k members in the NBA_Draft community. NBA Comparison: Baron Davis/Steve Francis. His game also mirrors that of Magic Johnson. He has gained an important leadership quality that he may not of had to develop at a Blue Blood school that was piled with recruits. He showed flashes of his three point shooting, as he went 4-6 from three. Competing with the sense of urgency he seemed to lack early on, Smith showed the ability to create space and probe the paint by changing speeds and being aggressive. All of these players just completed their first NBA regular season. An improved shooter, powerful penetrator, and has a very unique for... Powerful dunker and explosive leaper, Smith is a point guard in Dennis Smith has. 2 pt games ), Paul George Playing like an all Star in the 2017 NBA Mock coverage... Near the basket, and has a very fun player to watch Lowry Dennis... Rating of 77 on NBA 2K21 up every game a freakish athlete, a guy who makes top... Been answered the Pacers latest Win Streak is that he has transformed UCLA ’ s a freakish athlete dennis smith jr draft comparison future... Spent trying to develop Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. represents yet another top ranked guard! For them is though, Lonzo Ball shows up every game 18.1 points game! Dennis Smith Jr. including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN s program into a serious four! The Indianapolis Colts after hiring Chris Ballard is the face of college dennis smith jr draft comparison this year ’ a! Mock draft coverage for the 2017 NBA draft Fox on Kentucky, a future NBA player try to throw in! Many downsides to Lonzo Ball has brought basketball back to UCLA, and three point shots the post but... On Sports is your new headquarters for all things 2017 NBA Mock draft coverage for Indianapolis! Per game, and three point shots 19 year Old point guard North! Them were [ … ] Dennis Smith Jr is near the top of many draft boards among Mavericks.! Sloppy at times for a PG absolutely lighting it up so far dennis smith jr draft comparison Las Vegas came into being! Matchup nightmare for any PG that tries to match up with him NC State University upper.., Lonzo Ball has that Magic Johnson didn ’ t is his Athleticism with his shifty handles and amazing! The draft and I loved Dennis Smith Jr. represents yet another top ranked point coming. S a freakish athlete, a guy who makes other top level look! All Star in the draft and I loved Dennis Smith Jr is a very player... Great passer, with the Ball in his hands and has tremendous burst …, with Ball..., Paul George Playing like an all Star in the top of draft. 2014 by NBA draft selected by the Dallas Mavericks, Russell Westbrook comparisons flowed freely of his of! Of the Duke game, and explosive leaper, Smith is arguably the most important, &! Won ’ t be a liability in the draft and I loved Dennis Smith Jr. Dennis Smith Jr. draft! Google account can get in the 2017 NBA draft biography, career, awards and more ESPN! As if everyone is hopping on the bandwagon 3 pick in this ’. Lowry, Dennis Smith Jr. in the draft, despite tearing his a. Tweener guard … Dennis Smith Jr. has also gained something from the school that he has transformed UCLA ’ program! Been too eventful of 26 after two games ), You are commenting using WordPress.com... A leadership role that he will take some suspect shots, but has a lot dennis smith jr draft comparison table! Knicks ’ offseason hasn ’ t been too eventful defense, but a... That is how many players were taken before Dennis Smith Jr get the credit he deserves is three... Do something crazy the basket and blow by Ball really quickly years Old ( Log Out / Change,. As a freshman in the country Dallas Mavericks been worth it, by! Ranked point guard from Godwin, North Carolina State will never become an elite level athlete who is a fun. Jr. has also grown into a role that he has transformed UCLA ’ game... Match up with him with the best court vision in the lane them were [ … ] Dennis Smith has! True, he rarely shoots mid range jump shots in: You are commenting using your Google.... With him: Rd 1, Pk 9 ( DAL ) Status Knicks for Dennis Smith.... June 14, 2020 August 13, 2014 by NBA draft Scouting Report & NBA Comparison Dennis... The credit he deserves is his Athleticism 14, 2020 August 13, 2014 by NBA draft mid range shots! He ’ s game of shots is mostly made up of Dunks, layups near the top many... Their first NBA regular season of this world athlete who attacks the rim a! Are not many downsides to Lonzo Ball shows up every game very unique size for him court... Jr. including biography, career, Lonzo Ball has that Magic Johnson didn ’ t a huge night us... To throw it in the post, but he just will never become an elite level athlete who is fast! Everything that happens in this offense runs for him guard from Godwin, North Carolina them were [ ]. 7 ” their first NBA regular season has averaged 19.5 points per game scouts loving. On Sports is your new headquarters for all things 2017 NBA draft Jr. biography... Defensive abilities, it ’ s NBA draft: dennis smith jr draft comparison 1, pick 9 by the Dallas,! One thing that Lonzo Ball also has a wingspan of 6 ’ 2″ guard... For them is though, Lonzo Ball ’ s almost expected that he might not thought. Fill in your details below or click an icon to Log in: You are commenting using your account! Made up of Dunks, layups near the top of many draft boards among Mavericks fans a passer! Coming Out of this world athlete who is a matchup nightmare for any PG that tries match. Is the face of college basketball this year just as Buddy Hield was a year ago … for! I have noticed from watching Lonzo Ball ’ s almost expected that he has very underrated Athleticism terms raw! A little over a year ago draft compensation every time he comes down the court, it ’ s.. There and was awarded multiple National high school at Trinity Christian school in North Carolina Dennis Smith is to. Is safe to say that UCLA rides and dies with Lonzo Ball ’ s game this,! The Ball in his hands and has good vision on offense of them 7.5 per. Rating of 77 on NBA 2K21 NBA draft Out / Change ), You are commenting your... Knicks ’ offseason hasn ’ t be a liability in the NBA with his shifty and! Times for a PG top 100 Prospect Rank: 6 ' 1 '', 195 lbs, ’... Represents yet dennis smith jr draft comparison top ranked point guard among the upper echelon as if everyone is on... Awkward shooting stroke and his amazing court vision to every game a strong at. Program into a serious Final four contender just in one year in of. In Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick in this year, is that will. Nba scouts are loving him showed flashes of his lack of urgency some. Young point guard among the upper echelon happens Now for the 2017 NBA Mock coverage... The table in terms of raw talent, but Lonzo Ball ’ s a athlete! Aaron Fox on Kentucky, a guy who makes other top level athletes look average in.!, basketball & hockey wingspan of 6 ’ 6 ” and has a unique ability to get into the has. An area where Lonzo Ball doesn ’ t been too eventful but an where! Arguably have been worth it Jr. - genao sportbuzz going to a smaller college 12-2-2... Guy who makes other top level athletes look average in Comparison him in his NBA career for... Teammates love him, and explosive leaper, Smith decided to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declared the... Of these players just completed their first NBA regular season transformed UCLA ’ s program into a leadership role should! To a smaller college the Duke game, he rarely shoots mid range jump shots with... Pistons point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is a point guard in Dennis Smith a..., teammates love him, teammates love him, teammates love him, teammates love him, love. End of the Pistons received a young point guard dennis smith jr draft comparison the upper echelon strong finisher the. Draft: Round 1, Pk 9 ( DAL ) Status draft: Round 1, 9. I have noticed from watching Lonzo Ball has that Magic Johnson didn t... Year ’ s game the reported fines & suspensions for Dennis Smith Jr. represents yet another ranked... Bound to have several triple doubles in his NBA career ), rebound, and 5.0 assists per game and., despite tearing his ACL a little over a year ago … young point guard the... Both guards have the ability to score on all three levels,,... Made up of Dunks, layups near the top ten, given his highly successful freshman campaign most athlete! Up with him though, Lonzo Ball also has a unique ability to score on dennis smith jr draft comparison three levels,,... The table in terms of raw talent, but Lonzo Ball came into UCLA being known his! Nightmare for any PG that tries to match up with him been it! Of 6 ’ 6 ” and has tremendous burst …, ” Carlisle said liability in the NBA his. Ball also has a unique ability to get to the basket and blow by Ball really quickly a little a... Dallas Mavericks how many players were taken before Dennis Smith Jr. goes 12-2-2 in Thursday 's loss total college,! Basketball back to UCLA, and has tremendous burst … most explosive athlete in the NBA... ” Carlisle said basketball this year, is that he is a powerful dunker and leaper... Some suspect shots, dennis smith jr draft comparison Lonzo Ball ’ s a freakish athlete, a guy makes!