Terquavion Smith, a star guard at NC State, decided to return to school for the 2022 season. (1:45)
Terquavion Smith, a projected first-round pick, is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to school for his sophomore season.
Smith said via text that he would play for NC State, the first team to offer him a scholarship. Over the past month, there have been many ways to look at it. Todd, Ross, and their team helped put me on the NBA map.
Several NBA executives told ESPN that Smith had a strong showing at the NBA draft combine that made him a first-round pick. He scored 17 points in a scrimmage in the second day of the combine, but then withdrew from the event. Smith was a first-round pick, but he wants to aim higher next year.
He admitted that money has never been at the center of his thoughts. It is exciting to hear that. I told him I have more work to do. I enjoy school and my college the most. The last two years have been strange, thanks to the Pandemic. I just want one more season to be a college student.
Smith was not considered a major prospect coming out of Farmville Central High School, despite winning three consecutive state titles. He received offers from both High Point and East Carolina before committing to NC State.
He was an all-conference honorable mention after he averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebound and 2.1 assists for the NC State Wolfpack. His 96 3-pointers were the fourth-highest total in the history of the conference for a freshman.
Smith said that if things go like he expects, he won't have to go through the combine the same way. The NBA can wait one year, I have more work to do in the conference.
The NC State team that finished 11-21 and ranked last in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season will benefit greatly from Smith's return. The Wolfpack have lost some of their key players. They are waiting for another big decision in the NBA draft of leading scorer and projected second-round pick, Dereon Seabron. Kevin Keatts has been aggressive in the NCAA transfer portal, adding commitments from DJ Burns, Jarkel Joiner, Jack Clark, and Dusan Mahorcic.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
