Dennis Smith Jr. Declares for 2017 NBA Draft, Leaves NC St After 1 Season

The 2017 NBA draft got a little deeper Tuesday when North Carolina State star Dennis Smith Jr. announced he would be leaving school.    

Smith announced his decision live on SportsCenter:  

A freshman starter from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Smith was one of the few reasons to pay close attention to the Wolfpack during the 2016-17 season. He led the team in scoring with 18.1 points per game and assists with 6.2, and he finished second with 4.6 rebounds.   

It was difficult for Smith to get recognition on a national stage because N.C. State finished the season 15-17 and fired head coach Mark Gottfried in February, though the coach stayed on to finish his sixth year. 

While Smith's talents at N.C. State may not have helped the team break out in the ACC, they didn't go unnoticed by NBA scouts.      

Bleacher Report NBA draft guru Jonathan Wasserman had Smith going No. 6 overall to the Sacramento Kings (via the New Orleans Pelicans) in his most recent mock posted March 10. 

Wasserman offered this scouting report on Smith in January:

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His quickness and explosiveness also make it easy to imagine his 19.5 points and 6.5 assists per game carrying over to the NBA. Smith has been better than advertised (before the season) as a shooter, having hit 38 three-pointers through 21 games. 

He looks like a sure-thing NBA player and likely starter. General managers will just have to ask themselves whether his future production will translate to wins. Smith's decision-making and lack of urgency can be concerning for a player who dominates the ball.

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Because of Smith's high draft stock, not to mention the coaching change at N.C. State, his decision to turn pro has been expected.

On March 7, Adam Zagoria of FanRag Sports reported Smith was going to declare for the draft after N.C. State's season ended. The Wolfpack lost in the ACC tournament opener against the Clemson Tigers, putting the ball in Smith's court to make things official. 

In what's expected to be a loaded class, which already includes Washington Huskies star Markelle Fultz, Smith is among the best players available. He has star potential and should hear his name called early June 22.