Smith looking forward to senior season

RALEIGH, N.C. - Hanging out around the Dail Basketball Center since the end of the 2009-10 season, one person you always run into is rising senior Tracy Smith. An All-ACC second-team performer last season, Smith has been a frequent visitor at the Pack's practice facility, whether he is working out in the weight room or playing pick-up with his teammates.

There was never any doubt for the NC State coaching staff that Smith would be one of the team leaders for his senior season, even after Smith entered his name on the NBA's early draft entree list a couple of weeks ago.

In fact, Smith did not even get to attend any NBA workouts because his academic schedule kept him in Raleigh, where NC State students are currently in the middle of final exams.

"I knew there was a pretty big chance I would not be able to attend any NBA workouts because of my classes, but if things were to have opened up I had to submit my name," said Smith. "Now I am absolutely focused on the upcoming season. With the talent we have returning, and the newcomers we have signed, we have a chance to have a special season."

"We were confident all the way back in February when Tracy said he would be returning for his senior season," said NC State head coach Sidney Lowe. "There was perhaps no better recruiter for our incoming class than Tracy, and you can see how hard he has been working since the season ended that he is looking forward to next year."

Now with the summer months approaching, Smith will remain in Raleigh to attend summer school and continue to work out every day for his final season in a Wolfpack uniform.