NC State had four players, including one new name, enter the NBA Draft.
Freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr. and sophomore small forward Maverick Rowan have likely played their final game for NCSU. Smith is expected to be a lottery pick, and Rowan is expected to pursue a professional career either in the NBA or overseas.
Smith led the Pack at 18.1 points per game in his one season in Raleigh, and he was named the ACC Freshman of the Year. Rowan missed seven games with a concussion, but averaged 12.0 points per contest once healthy and made 53 three-pointers.
Also expected was the entry of freshman center Omer Yurtseven, the five-star signee last spring who had been expected to be a one-and-done. Yurtseven, though, had a modest rookie season, averaging 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while blocking 16 shots in 22 contests. Yurtseven is not expected to formally hire an agent, and he has until May 24 to decide whether to remain in the draft or withdraw. Mock drafts currently have Yurtseven pegged as a potential second-round pick.
A third NC State freshman also entered his name: forward Ted Kapita. He flashed his potential during the season and finished with averages of 4.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest. His double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds helped spearhead an upset win at Duke in what proved to be the highlight of NCSU’s season.
Not on the list was junior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu, who a year ago did test the NBA Draft waters.
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