A Royal Pain
Fansided

A Royal Prospect: Dennis Smith Jr.

By Tyler Watts

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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Jan 29, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) dribbles the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) dribbles the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Strengths

Freaky Athlete

Dennis Smith Jr. has great quickness and the strength to get to the rim.  He has shown himself to be able to absorb contact and score the basketball.  Every time I watch him play I walk away impressed with his combination of quickness and power.

If you watched the highlight video in this piece, you saw Smith Jr’s dunking ability on display.  He is an explosive leaper, and his transition speed allows him to throw down some monster in-game dunks.  In my first pre-lottery mock draft, I noted Smith Jr. as a highlight maker, and I think that quality will translate to the NBA.

Scoring Ability

In my opinion, Smith Jr. profiles as more of a Russell Westbrook type point guard than Chris Paul.  I believe he will be a score first one instead of distributing first.  Smith Jr. has the appearance of a guy who can score from anywhere on the court.  I mentioned his ability to get to the rim, and his jump shot looks smooth despite being somewhat inconsistent last season at NC State.  If he can develop that consistency, Dennis Smith Jr. could be an elite NBA scorer.

Even without a consistent jump shot, Smith Jr. can be a successful scorer.  He will need to prove he can get to the rim and finish the way he did against NCAA competition, though.  Russell Westbrook is not exactly a great shooter, but that did not seem to affect him this season.

I believe Smith Jr. will develop into an attacking point guard who wreaks havoc on the defense with his ability to score from anywhere and create opportunities for his teammates.

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