The number of former NC State basketball players playing professionally has grown, despite a small number actually playing in the NBA. 19 Pack alumni, including those who transferred from NC State, are playing professionally. T.J. Warren and Dennis Smith Jr. continue to be the most impressive, but C.J. Williams and Lorenzo Brown are impressive as well.
T.J. Warren, small forward, Phoenix Suns (NBA)
Warren has started off the season strongly, going from the bench on a team with a glut of forwards to the starting lineup. Warren is currently averaging 17.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, .9 steals and is shooting 45.6 percent from beyond the arc on nearly four attempts per game, which would be a career high.
The Suns are currently the worst team in a stacked Western Conference, but if Warren continues to flash potential, the Suns will be in good position for the future along with players such as Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Josh Jackson.
Dennis Smith Jr., point guard, Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
The Mavericks are 7-3 in their last 10 games and now sit at a 9-9 record. The Mavs are surpassing expectations, led by Smith, Luka Doncic and others. Smith is averaging 14.1 points, 3.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds, which are all down from his per-game stats from last year, however Smith is having a more-sound season. Smith is shooting 44 percent from the field, up from 40 percent last year, and is shooting 39 percent from 3-point range, up from 31 percent last year.
Smith has shared the backcourt primarily with Wesley Matthews and Dorian Finney-Smith, as Doncic has played forward primarily to begin the year. But the young backcourt duo look to be one of the most electric in the future of the league.
Lorenzo Brown, point guard, Toronto Raptors (NBA)
Brown has played in 14 of 21 games that the Raptors have played so far. This matches the total amount of games Brown played last season, when he was on a two-way contract, sharing time with the Raptors and the Raptors 905 of the NBA G-League. Brown was promoted in the offseason to a standard contract, and the 28-year-old is averaging 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in just 9.6 minutes per game.
Brown is unlikely to see much playing time due to the Raptors’ impressive roster that stands at the top of the East, but has been solid in limited stints. Brown averages 10.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, four assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per 36 minutes. Brown is shooting 23 percent beyond the arc, which is unimpressive, but shows improvement as this would rank as a career high for Brown. His 5.9 3-point attempts per 36 minutes also show an increase of confidence, which is good if Brown wants to crack the Raptors’ strong rotation.
C.J. Williams, shooting guard, Minnesota Timberwolves/Iowa Wolves (NBA/NBA G-League)
Williams was signed to a two-way contract in the offseason by the Timberwolves, and is splitting time with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G-League. Williams is buried on the Timberwolves’ bench, only playing in six games, averaging 1.7 points and shooting 36 percent from the field.
However, Williams is showing his scoring potential in the G-League, averaging 16.5 points, 2.3 assists, 1.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and .8 blocks with the Iowa Wolves. Williams is shooting a whopping 47 percent from the field and 43 percent from deep. Williams has good potential as a rotation player, and is doing everything in his power to prove his worth.
Maverick Rowan, small forward, Westchester Knicks (NBA G-League)
Rowan signed with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G-League. Rowan has only played in one game thus far and has had just 5.4 minutes of action. The Westchester Knicks are one of the best teams in the G-League, posting an 8-3 record thus far, so finding minutes might be hard for Rowan to begin the season. However, as the G-League rosters begin to diminish due to players signing overseas or being promoted, Rowan is likely to see more time.
Cat Barber, point guard, Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League)
Barber has played in seven of the eight games the Swarm have played, and has posted an impressive 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in just over 24 minutes played per game. Barber is also shooting 48 percent from the field, which ranks well above his career average of 44 percent. Barber is deserving of a spot on an NBA roster, and if he continues to play at a high level, a call-up is not out of the question, despite the surge of talent within the league.
Abdul-Malik Abu, small forward, KK Vrijednosnice Osijek (Croatian A-1 Liga)
Abu has been dominant for KK Vrijednosnice Osijek, averaging 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists through 12 games with the club. Abu is a primary scoring option on the team and has been impressive in his stint with the team.
Allerik Freeman, shooting guard, Alba Fehervar (Hungarian NBIA)
Freeman has been another impressive overseas Pack Pro, as he hopes to crack an NBA roster. Freeman is making a good case for himself, as he is averaging 16.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists for Alba Fehervar.
Terry Henderson, shooting guard, Scaligera Basket Verona (Italian Serie A2 Basket)
Henderson spent some time with the Charlotte Hornets in the Summer League and the Greensboro Swarm of the G-League before signing with Scaligera Basket Verona. Henderson is averaging 12.3 points, three rebounds and 1.6 assists in nine games with the club
Dez Lee, point guard, St. John’s Edge (Canadian NBL)
Lee played with the St. John’s Edge last season, and then played with ABC Santo Domingo of the Liga Ecuatoriana de Baloncesto, before re-signing with the Edge. Lee is currently averaging 11.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.3 assists for the Edge.
Scott Wood, small forward, BCM Gravelines (French Jeep Elite)
Wood, a Pack fan favorite, is currently playing with the BCM Gravelines of the French Jeep Elite after jumping around from other overseas teams and the G-League. Wood is averaging 9.4 points, three rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Lennard Freeman, power forward, Final Spor Genclik (Turkish TBL)
Freeman is averaging 17 points for Final Spor Genclik of the Turkish TBL after playing strongly for the Pack but going undrafted in the NBA. Freeman is also averaging a strong 10.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the club.
Richard Howell, power forward, Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israeli BSL)
After spending time with the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets in Summer Leagues following going undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft, Howell played overseas in Italy and the Philippines before playing for multiple Israeli league clubs. Howell most recently returned to Hapoel Tel Aviv, having played for the club in 2016-17. Howell also played for the Israeli national team. Howell is currently averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists through two games.
