Dennis Smith, Jr., Among Top-30 Candidates for Naismith Trophy

RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State men's basketball freshman guard Dennis Smith, Jr., was announced Thursday as one of the top-30 players in consideration for the 2017 James A. Naismith Trophy, presented to the nation's most outstanding college basketball player.

Presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, Smith is among a nation-best seven ACC players on the list. The 10 semifinalists for the national award will be announced March 1.

Smith leads the Pack in scoring (18.8), assists (6.9) and steals (2.12) and has been named the ACC Freshman of the Week three times this season.

He has recorded two triple-doubles this season and is the first player in ACC history to record two triple-doubles in a single-season against ACC opponents. He is the first ACC freshman since Virginia's Ralph Sampson in the 1979-80 season to record multiple triple-doubles.

The ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year leads the ACC in assists per game, ranks second in steals per game and fifth in scoring.

Smith's 6.9 assists per game average would be the highest for an ACC freshman since Kenny Anderson averaged 8.1 per outing in the 1989-90 season.

Smith has scored in double figures in 23 of 25 games this season and has scored 20 or more points 11 times this season. He has a 2.19 assist-to-turnover ratio while directing a Wolfpack attack that averages 80.8 points per game and is shooting 48.1 percent from the field.

Smith and his teammates return to action Saturday when they travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to face Wake Forest. The game will begin at noon at will air on RSN.

Dennis Smith, Jr., Among Top-30 Candidates for Naismith Trophy

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