Terquavion Smith has decided to take his name out of the NBA draft and return to North Carolina State for another season, writes Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Smith is coming off a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine and was widely expected to be taken in the first round, Givony adds. The 6’4″ shooting guard is ranked as the 22nd best prospect on ESPN’s big board.
“I have to be honest and admit money has never been at the center of my thoughts,” Smith said in his announcement. “My agent explained to me that teams as high as the late teens, through the rest of the first round, all have me ranked as a first-round talent. It’s exciting to hear that. But I told him I have more work to do. I like school and my college in particular. Remember, my last two years have been so strange, thanks to the pandemic. I just want one more season to get everything right and just be a college student.”
Smith caught the attention of scouts with an outstanding performance in drills on the first day of the combine, Givony notes. He posted 17 points in a second-day scrimmage, then opted to sit out the final day.
The 19-year-old averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a freshman in 2021/22, earning a spot on the ACC’s All-Rookie Team and becoming an honorable mention All-Conference selection. He led the ACC with 96 made three-pointers, the fourth-highest total for a freshman in conference history.
Smith indicated that he’s already looking forward to next year’s draft process and the possibility of being a lottery pick.
“If things go like I expect, I won’t have to go through the combine experience the same way,” he said. “Everyone will see my games and our team all season, we are going to make sure they are seeing something special. The NBA can wait one year, I have more work to do in the ACC first.”
Foolish. Always take the guaranteed money. School will always be there, but one torn acl or down season and the money may not be
Absolutely. Take the money! School is overrated af
Remember that Johnny Davis, Ben Mathurin, Keegan Murray & Jaden Ivey all would gone between mid 1st-mid 2nd rd if they would left last yr. They’re all top10 picks this yr
Next year is a really deep draft.
Everyone complains that this is the age of one-and-done, then a guy wants to come back because he wants to be in college and you call him a fool?
And you say take the guaranteed money, but why take a contact as a late 1st rounder when he can get the money of a top pick next year? Even if he is injured, teams take risks on talented injured players in top of draft (Wiseman, Garland, Dennis Smith Jr., Okeke, etc., also Porter and Cole Anthony slid but they were still picked very higher than late 1st). Just be happy the player is happy.
Don’t forget Oden or Zion, @SexLand..
What? Those players were taken #1 and got the maximum available contract. Teams will still draft injured players high. Like Kyrie Irving
Maybe he wants to try to gain some Point Guard skills, as Dereon Seabron might be staying in the NBA Draft ?
He’s kind of a tweener, combo Guard size, smallish for the 2-Guard spot at the NBA level. Might be best to learn some Point Guard skills, like Jordan Poole has. Otherwise, he’ll get targeted on defense like Poole is constantly targeted by bigger 2 Guards.
Poole was also kind of small and scrawny to play the 2 Guard spot coming out of College.
The ACC was already looking strong. Now it’s looking even stronger. I’d be highly surprised if this kid ain’t All-ACC 1st team next season
So an NC State booster came through with some NIL cash for the kid to come back. This is what the NIL was supposed to do. Keep kids around longer.
Crazy how he withdraws but somehow Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate are still deciding to stay in the draft. Unless they both have promises, I can’t see either being drafted
Caleb Love, UNC, is in just the same boat, a first rounder that returned.
Not sure NIL money is why in either case. It is BB country in NC, a place where a rich guy can brag to his friends that he got a player to stay longer.
This kid has some stones betting on himself like this. I respect it even if it appears foolish. Sounds like he didn’t get a 1st rd guarantee…