With Wolfpack basketball in the home stretch, we’re taking a look at how the Pack is being represented professionally. Currently, 26 former NC State basketball players are in the pros. Four of those players play in the NBA, while six players are in the NBA G-League and 16 players play overseas. Here are some of the standout performers:
TJ Warren, Forward, Phoenix Suns
After his first two seasons, where he started just five games in all, Warren is having a career year for the Suns and has emerged as a leader on the NBA’s youngest team. He was a lottery pick in the 2014 draft, but struggled with injuries and a dysfunctional organization during his first three years. Fortunately for him, the Suns have decided on a direction and Warren has found himself in an increased role.
Warren is averaging career highs in points at 19.3 per game, assists at 1.4 per game, and free throws made per game at three, as he is now sharing the main scoring responsibility with teammate Devin Booker. His 19.3 ppg in the NBA is the most for an NC State player since Tom Gugliotta averaged 20 ppg in the 1997-98 season.
Dennis Smith Jr., Guard, Dallas Mavericks
After being drafted ninth in last year’s NBA Draft, Smith has carried over his playmaking and scoring prowess to the NBA. He is second on his team in points, assists, steals and free throws per game. When compared to his fellow rookies, Smith ranks in the top five of points, assists and steals as well.
After becoming the first person in ACC history to record two triple-doubles in the same season, he became the third-youngest player ever to record a triple-double in the NBA. On Dec. 29, facing the New Orleans Pelicans, he stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 128-120 victory.
Cat Barber, Guard, Greensboro Swarm
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Barber signed with the Delaware 87ers of the NBA G-League and played 21 games with them before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.
With the Swarm last season Barber played 38 minutes per game, while averaging 18.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists. This season he has seen a decrease in minutes, but still averages 14.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists, while shooting 43.3 percent from the field.
His best game of the season occurred on Jan. 25 against the Maine Red Claws, where he scored 23 points and dished out 12 assists in a 110-100 loss.
Terry Henderson, Guard, Greensboro Swarm
After being denied a sixth year of eligibility, Henderson went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft. He signed to the Charlotte Hornets originally, but they dropped him before the season started. Henderson was then picked up by the Greensboro Swarm, and got another chance to play with his old teammate, Barber. He is a consistent starter for the team and is averaging 12 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and hitting 39.7 percent of his 3-point shots.
One of his best games occurred earlier this month, when Henderson hit six 3-pointers for 18 points and added five rebounds as well as five assists in a win over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Trevor Lacey, Guard, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia)
Lacey enjoyed a great final season at NC State, where he took the team to the Sweet Sixteen, but he decided for forgo his last season to enter the NBA Draft. Lacey went undrafted, but ended up playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers summer league team, although he didn’t get a contract.
He played for two different teams in Italy’s top division before signing a two-year contract with Lokomotiv Kuban this past summer, where he is averaging 10.1 points, three rebounds, 3.1 assists, while shooting 63 percent from the field.
The team is currently 6-0 in its Eurocup group and third place in their league.
Scott Wood, Forward, Pinar Karsiyaka (Turkey)
After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft, Wood has bounced around NBA Summer League teams, Spanish teams and G-League teams. He signed with the Santa Cruz Warriors for the 2016-17 season, where he started 49 out of 50 games and averaged 14 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 made threes per game. Wood also won the NBA G-League 3-point contest during that season. He decided to head to Turkey after the season though, and signed with Pinar Karsiyaka of the Turkish Basketball Super League. He is currently a starter for the team, where he averages 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and shoots 48.8 percent from three.
