North Carolina State University Athletics
Dennis Smith, Jr.’s Freshman Campaign
3/13/2017 5:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ACC Freshman of the Year set numerous marks in NC State record book
NC State freshman guard Dennis Smith, Jr., wrapped up a freshman season for the record books last week.
The freshman from Fayetteville, N.C., inserted his name in the NC State and ACC freshman record books after his rookie campaign with the Wolfpack.
For the season, Smith averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals in 32 games for NC State. He ranked sixth in the ACC in scoring, led the league in assists and finished second in steals. He led ACC freshmen in all three categories.
Smith was named the ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year in October and closed the season in March by being named the ACC Freshman of the Year. He became the first NC State freshman since Hawkeye Whitney in 1977-78 to win ACC Freshman of the Year honors and the first player in NC State history to win the honor outright. Whitney shared ACC Freshman of the Year honors with Duke's Mike Gminski.
Smith registered two triple-doubles in his freshman season, recording 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds against Virginia Tech on January 4 and had 13 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds against Syracuse on February 1. Smith is the only player in ACC history to register two triple-doubles in the same season.
Smith's 18.1 points per game average ranks tied for ninth highest all-time for an ACC freshman and his 6.2 assists per game average is tied for eighth all-time for an ACC freshman.
He is the first freshman since UNC-Chapel Hill's Ed Cota in the 1996-97 season to lead ACC freshmen in points and assists.
Smith had four 30-point performances on the season. The four games with at least 30 points are the most 30-point games for a freshman in ACC history.
Smith scored a season-high 32 points in the Pack's win at Duke on January 23. The 32 points are the third-most by an NC State freshman in school history.
Smith closed his freshman campaign with three NC State freshman records:
Points per game average – 18.1
Field Goals attempted – 420
Steals – 62
Dennis Smith, Jr. Honors:
ACC Freshman of the Year
Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year
USBWA All-District III Team
All-ACC Second Team
All-ACC Freshman Team
Midseason Watch List for Wayman Tisdale Award (National Freshman of the Year)
Finalist for Bob Cousy Award (Best Point Guard in the Country)
Three-time ACC Freshman of the Week honoree
Smith's Rank in NC State Freshman Record Book:
Season Points: 580 points – 2nd (605 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Single-Game Points: 32 – 3rd (35 – Ernie Myers vs. Duke on 1/26/83)
Season Scoring Avg: 18.1 (Freshman Record)
Field Goals Made: 191 – 2nd (193 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Field Goals Attempted: 420 (Freshman Record)
Free Throws Made: 143 – 2nd (158 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Free Throws Attempted: 200 – 2nd (219 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Assists: 197 – 2nd (235 – Chris Corchiani – 1987-88)
Steals: 62 – (Freshman Record)
Minutes Played: 1,114 – 2nd (1,239 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
The freshman from Fayetteville, N.C., inserted his name in the NC State and ACC freshman record books after his rookie campaign with the Wolfpack.
For the season, Smith averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals in 32 games for NC State. He ranked sixth in the ACC in scoring, led the league in assists and finished second in steals. He led ACC freshmen in all three categories.
Smith was named the ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year in October and closed the season in March by being named the ACC Freshman of the Year. He became the first NC State freshman since Hawkeye Whitney in 1977-78 to win ACC Freshman of the Year honors and the first player in NC State history to win the honor outright. Whitney shared ACC Freshman of the Year honors with Duke's Mike Gminski.
Smith registered two triple-doubles in his freshman season, recording 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds against Virginia Tech on January 4 and had 13 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds against Syracuse on February 1. Smith is the only player in ACC history to register two triple-doubles in the same season.
Smith's 18.1 points per game average ranks tied for ninth highest all-time for an ACC freshman and his 6.2 assists per game average is tied for eighth all-time for an ACC freshman.
He is the first freshman since UNC-Chapel Hill's Ed Cota in the 1996-97 season to lead ACC freshmen in points and assists.
Smith had four 30-point performances on the season. The four games with at least 30 points are the most 30-point games for a freshman in ACC history.
Smith scored a season-high 32 points in the Pack's win at Duke on January 23. The 32 points are the third-most by an NC State freshman in school history.
Smith closed his freshman campaign with three NC State freshman records:
Points per game average – 18.1
Field Goals attempted – 420
Steals – 62
Dennis Smith, Jr. Honors:
ACC Freshman of the Year
Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year
USBWA All-District III Team
All-ACC Second Team
All-ACC Freshman Team
Midseason Watch List for Wayman Tisdale Award (National Freshman of the Year)
Finalist for Bob Cousy Award (Best Point Guard in the Country)
Three-time ACC Freshman of the Week honoree
Smith's Rank in NC State Freshman Record Book:
Season Points: 580 points – 2nd (605 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Single-Game Points: 32 – 3rd (35 – Ernie Myers vs. Duke on 1/26/83)
Season Scoring Avg: 18.1 (Freshman Record)
Field Goals Made: 191 – 2nd (193 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Field Goals Attempted: 420 (Freshman Record)
Free Throws Made: 143 – 2nd (158 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Free Throws Attempted: 200 – 2nd (219 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Assists: 197 – 2nd (235 – Chris Corchiani – 1987-88)
Steals: 62 – (Freshman Record)
Minutes Played: 1,114 – 2nd (1,239 - Brandon Costner, 2006-07)
Players Mentioned
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