NBA Comparison: Bones Hyland

Strengths: Smith is a quick, lean 6’4 165 combo guard with decent run-jump athleticism … Has shown some dynamic scoring ability over the past 2 seasons and plays with an aggressive approach as a high volume, streaky guy (career 17.1 PPG, nearly 18 PPG as a Soph.) … Likes to play off the dribble and has the shifty ball-handling skills and 1st step that make him a handful to contain as an isolation player on the move; he can create & make shots all around the perimeter … Good command of crossovers to get space for his shots and he isn’t shy about letting it fly, being able to hit shots from deep range whether spotting up or off the bounce (made over 90 3-pointers in both of his collegiate seasons, career 35 3FG% on 8 3FGA/G) … Some nice flashes making runners and pull-ups in the mid-range that can continue to grow as well, and has experience operating out of the pick and roll … Good footwork and body control with the ball to attempt and make shots from tricky platforms, even when drifting laterally … Can play on or off the ball well in transition; uses his speed and the threat of his pull-ups to pressure the defense as a handler but also is able to locate open spots along the 3-point line as a shooting valve when he has a running mate … Showed signs of developing as a playmaker for others this past season (4.1 APG in ‘22-23, up from 2.1 APG as a Fr.); more of a scorer than passer but makes strides reading defenses and missed less open shooters this past season than his Fr. year … Handled the ball a good bit during both of his seasons at NC State and did a solid job of not committing many live ball turnovers relative to his usage (2.0 TOPG for his career) … Flashes quick hands and was an effective ball thief at the college level (1.4 SPG) …

Weaknesses: Average physical profile for a combo guard prospect; glaring lack of strength at the moment and it wouldn’t hurt to add some muscle to his very thin frame that hasn’t improved much in these past couple of years … Shot selection needs improvement; settles too often and his efficiency has been neutralized greatly by the high amount of low percentage shots he takes (career 38.8 FG%, shooting percentages from the field and 3 decreased from his Fr. to Soph. season) … Can be confident to a fault at times; will try to shoot himself out of slumps instead of letting the game come to him naturally … A bit of a ‘feast or famine’ type player, being able to take over some games but also having numerous clunkers that can be tough to watch (had 10 games that he shot 30% or worse from the field as a Soph.) … Improved as a passer but does not have the natural feel for the game or passing instincts to be a teams primary ball-handler like often he was at the college level (career 1.6:1 A:TO)…Not really a tough or physical player and it can show at times on both ends of the court…Doesnt get to the rim that much, particularly in halfcourt offense, and isn’t much of finisher once there, usually looking to avoid contact by taking contested floaters when in the paint (42 FG% inside the arc) … Production getting to the FT line & converting is only average for a volume scorer like him (4.3 FTA/G as a Soph., career 3.5 FTA/G at 70 FT%)…Also projects to have some struggles defensively at the pro level; where he lacks the strength to defend many SGs and doesn’t hold up at the point of attack well enough to defend most PGs … Has the length to guard both backcourt spots but not the fundamentals or approach right now; mostly freelances and gambles for steals …

Overall: Terquavion Smith’s ascension into an NBA Draft prospect in a broad view happened somewhat unexpectedly, especially as an underclassman, after being seen as a 3-4 star prospect by recruiting sites in the 2021 Class … He enjoyed a decorated HS career in North Carolina, including winning 3 state titles and earning Mr. Basketball honors in the state as a Sr … He immediately lit up the scoreboard as a Fr. at NC State, finishing 2nd on the team in scoring with 16.3 PPG and making the 4th most 3-pointers for a Fr. in ACC history with 96 … He declared for the 2022 NBA Draft and largely received 1st round grades after the Draft Combine and workouts, mainly due to his raw ability to score in bunches, but made a surprising decision to return to NC State citing a want to play for a winner that makes the NCAA Tournament after the team was only 11-23 and finished in last place in the ACC standings … Making the tournament would come into fruition for NC State, who was one of the most improved teams in the nation, and Smith enjoyed an All-ACC season as the Wolfpack made it to the Big Dance for the 1st time in 5 years … Along the way Smith provided more examples of his shot-making skills that intrigues NBA teams, upping his scoring to about 18 PPG while also nearly doubling his assist numbers showing teams he’s capable and more willing to facilitate … Still, his shot selection, efficiency, lack of defensive presence and frail build did not take the expected steps forward; in some ways they only got worse, which has capped his draft stock to an extent as we head into the 2023 Draft … The offensive punch can be harnessed and is sure to draw a long look from teams, as Smith is still only 20 years old and gaining polish, but he is not seen as a 1st round lock that he was this time a year ago…Still, there will likely be a team in the 2nd round that will take a chance on his shot-making ability and exciting style of play …

Notes: Measured: 6′ 2.50” barefoot, 8′ 2.00” standing reach, 163.2 lbs, 6′ 6.75” wingspan at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …  Measured: 6’2.25” barefoot, 6’3.75” in shoes, 8’2.0” standing reach, 165.2 lbs, 6’6.5” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine …

Jorrye Nixon 5/31/23