Dennis Smith Jr.

High School career

Smith attended Trinity Christian School in Fayetteville, North Carolina all Four years of his high school basketball career. As a Sophomore, Smith averaged 13.4 points per game and 6.1 Assist while leading the Trinity Christian Crusaders to a State Championship in 2014. In the 2013-14 High School OT holiday invitational Smith scored a career high 42 points. As a junior, he averaged 21.8 points per game and was named the Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year for North Carolina. Prior to his senior year, he tore his ACL, causing him to miss the entire season. more highlights from his junior season include scoring 35 points at the 2014-15 National Hoopfest, and recording 38 points in the 2014-15 High School OT holiday invitational against a very talented Orangeville Prep team that featured Future NBA players Thon Maker and Jamal Murray. Smith received surgery weeks later after the injury. Before the injury he sustained before his Senior season, in the summer of 2015, Smith competed on the Adidas Uprising Circuit for the AAU team, Team Loaded North Carolina (NC) alongside Edrice "Bam" Adebayo. He led his team to win the Adidas Uprising Gauntlet 17u championship. Smith averaged 16.2 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 6.9 Assist in 11 games on the Adidas Uprising Gauntlet Circuit. Weeks later Smith and his team played in the ESPNU summer showcase against indiana elite which he led Team Loaded to victory. Smith also appeared in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Circuit for the AAU Team Penny, sponsored by former NBA superstar Penny Hardaway. He played 9 games for Team Penny while averaging 12.0 points and 2.9 assists per game in the EYBL circuit. Smith participated in other events and camps such as the NBPA Top 100 camp, Steph Curry Select Camp, Adidas Nations, and the Elite 24 Invitational. Smith was rated by Scout.com and Rivals.com as a five-star recruit. He committed to NC State University to play college basketball. Smith was Ranked the #1 point guard and #4 player in the Class of 2016 by ESPN.

North Carolina State (2016–present)

In December 2015, Smith graduated from his high school Trinity Christian School. In January 2016, Smith enrolled to North Carolina State University. Smith had an opportunity to attend classes and rehab from his ACL&PCL tear earlier on last year, thus getting an early start on his freshman year. Smith began his freshman season playing in two Exhibition games against Lynn University and Barton College. In his debut for the Wolfpack, Smith played 36 minutes and dished out five assists in a 81-79 victory against Georgia Southern. On November 21, 2016 Smith recorded a career high 24 points to go along with 8 assist defeating Saint Joseph's University 73-63 in the Paradise Jam Tournament. On November 26, 2016 he scored a season high 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assist to help NC State defeat Loyola University Chicago. On December 19, 2016 Smith earned ACC Freshman of the week honors. On January 4, 2017, Smith achieved a triple-double -- 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists -- in a win against the Virginia Tech Hokies, making him and Julius Hodge the only two NC State players to record this feat. On January 23, 2017 Smith scored another career high 32 points and 6 Assist in a 84-82 victory against the Duke Blue Devils leading NC State to its first win in Cameron Indoor Stadium since 1995. Smith recorded his second triple-double--13 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds--of the 2016 season on February 1 in a losing effort to Syracuse. He is the only player in ACC history to record two triple-doubles against league opponents in an entire collegiate career. On February 21, 2017, Smith scored 18 points in a 71-69 win against the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. On March 5, 2017, Smith earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors.