One other former Razorback made his first profession NBA begin this weekend.
Former Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. made his first profession begin for the Charlotte Hornets Friday evening and he made probably the most of it with 15 factors on 6-of-12 taking pictures from the sphere in a win in opposition to the Chicago Bulls. The No. 27 choose within the 2023 NBA Draft, Smith additionally added 5 rebounds, an help and a steal.
“It means lots” Smith mentioned throughout an in-game interview. “I’ve dreamed of this second my complete life and I’m so fortunate to be on this place.”
A product of North Little Rock Excessive Faculty, Smith averaged 9.8 factors per sport over his final 5 video games with Charlotte. He scored a season-high 18 factors with 4 3-pointers and 5 rebounds in a January 5 loss to Cleveland.
“I’ve achieved plenty of work.” Smith mentioned in a Jan. 17 interview. “I really feel prefer it’s not going to do something however translate, particularly once I’m right here within the sport. So simply preserve working and taking part in my half.”
Smith spent many of the season as a bench participant for the Hornets, and he averaged 24.3 factors per sport in three begins with the staff’s G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Smith has appeared in 20 video games for the Hornets thus far this 12 months and is averaging 11.6 minutes per sport.
NBA insider Jake Fischer just lately reported that “rival groups have revealed Charlotte’s willingness to debate the provision of Nick Smith Jr.” as a business candidate. The league commerce deadline is Thursday, February 6.
One in all three one-and-done gamers for the Hoop Hogs within the 2022-23 season, Smith was ranked No. 2 general within the nation for the 2022 class. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard appeared in 17 video games and averaged 12.5 factors per sport throughout an injury-hampered season that ended with a Candy 16 loss to UConn.
