Nick Faulkner
Senior guard Miah Spencer pushes toward the interior, past the UNC defense. Spencer was one point and one assist away from a double-double, playing only 20 minutes because of early foul trouble. The Wolfpack dominated the Heels on route to a 80-60 victory in Reynolds Coliseum on Feb. 23.
With the NCAA basketball season winding down, the Wolfpack’s men’s season has come to an end, while the Wolfpack women are still alive in the Sweet 16. Here is a look at how Wolfpack players are performing on the professional level. Of the 26 men’s players currently playing professionally, four are in the NBA, but three of them are currently out with injuries.
Dennis Smith Jr., Guard, Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
Smith was having the best game of his young career this past Saturday night when he put up 21 points in 23 minutes while shooting 9 for 17 in addition to five assists and two blocks, but unfortunately twisted his ankle late in the third quarter and was held out the rest of the game. The injury appeared more serious than it actually was, but the Mavericks are going to be cautious with their future star and hold him out for the next couple of games.
The always entertaining and uber-athletic Smith hopes to come back and get into rhythm before the season is over. There are only 14 games left and the Mavs have no hope of playoff contention. He is currently averaging 15 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in his first year, while playing about 30 minutes a contest. Smith ranks in the top five among rookies in points, assists and steals.
TJ Warren, Forward, Phoenix Suns (NBA)
On the same night Smith suffered his injury, Warren went down with one of his own. In the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors, Warren twisted his left knee and was unable to play the rest of the game. The MRI came back negative though, and was diagnosed as a sprain.
Warren is playing a career-high 33 minutes a game, which likely contributed to the wear and tear on his body and caused this injury. In only his fourth year in the league, the 24 year-old Warren has been asked to lead the NBA’s youngest team and is averaging a career-high 25 percent usage rate, while pouring in 19.6 points a game and dishing out 1.3 assists.
Maverick Rowan, Forward, Lakeland Magic (G-League)
After leaving NC State to turn pro after his sophomore year, Rowan originally signed with FMP of the Adriatic Basketball League in Serbia, but only played three games before being released. He decided to enter the NBA G-League Draft and was the third overall pick by the Lakeland Magic, Orlando Magic’s G-League affiliate.
Rowan played high school basketball in Florida, and dropped 60 points over his last two high school games in the same arena that he now plays in. He has not seen this same success though, as he only averages 13.3 minutes and scores 5.4 points a game. Rowan is still a young prospect though, he doesn’t turn 22 until July, who could thrive in the current NBA environment with his height and shooting prowess.
Alex Johnson, Guard, St. John’s Edge (NBL)
After transferring to NC State to finish his college career, Johnson became the first Canadian player to ever be drafted first overall in the National Basketball League of Canada draft. He was drafted by the Ottawa SkyHawks in the 2013 draft and was an all-star in his first year in the league. After bouncing around a couple of teams, Johnson currently plays for the St. John’s Edge where he is one of two players to start every game this season. Johnson has an old friend on this team as former JuCo transfer and Wolfpacker Desmond Lee plays for them as well.
Johnson currently averages 12.1 points a game, while leading the team in assists with 5.6 and steals, with 1.2. For someone who has the ball in his hands for most of the game, his assist to turnover ratio is an insane 3.3. Earlier this season, in a close loss two point loss against his former team, the Halifax Hurricanes, Johnson dropped a season-high 30 points, while going 11-17 from the field.
Miah Spencer, Guard, Gorzow Wlkp. (Poland)
After becoming the first player in NC State women’s basketball history to score 1,500 points and dish out 400 assists, Spencer received a training camp spot with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She did not receive a contract and decided to take her talents overseas to Poland, where she is currently a starter for Gorzow.
In EuroCup games, Spencer is the second-leading scorer, with 11.4 points a game and also leads the team in assists by a wide margin with 4.8 per game. In the Polish league games, Spencer is averaging 9.4 points while handing out 5.3 assists and leading the team with 2.1 steals.