As Wolfpack basketball is heating up on campus, 26 former NC State men’s basketball stars have played professionally this season. Four players are currently in the NBA, five are in the NBA’s G League and the rest play professionally overseas. Here are some of the players that highlight former members of the Pack.
Dennis Smith Jr., Guard, Dallas Mavericks
The most recent NC State pro Dennis Smith Jr. is already making an impact in his rookie season for the Mavericks. The point guard is second on the team in points (14.7) assists (4.5) and steals per game (0.89).
Smith currently ranks fifth among rookies in points per game following his lone season with the Wolfpack. The rookie even recorded a triple-double in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 29. Despite his huge impact for Dallas as a starter, the Mavericks have been plagued by inexperience as the team is second to last in the Western Conference with a 15-31 record.
T.J. Warren, Forward, Phoenix Suns
After being picked in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2014, Warren is having his best season of his professional career with 19.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Warren exploded earlier this season with a 40-point performance in an away game win against the Washington Wizards. Despite the big numbers from Warren, the Suns continue to struggle with a 17-29 record.
C.J. Williams, Guard, Los Angeles Clippers
In his first season of playing time in the NBA, Williams has been a steady presence for the Clippers with 5.9 points per game. Even though he did not see action until mid-November, Williams averaged 25.5 minutes per game in December and January.
The shooting guard’s best performances came with an 18-point outing in a win over Memphis on Jan. 2 and 12 points in 20 minutes in a win at Golden State on Jan. 10.
During the contest against the Warriors, Williams sprained his ankle and was later assigned to the team’s G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers.
Lorenzo Brown, Guard, Toronto Raptors
Playing for his fourth team in as many seasons, Brown finds himself as a reserve point guard for Toronto.
Although he averages 1.1 points and 1.1 assists per game off the bench, Brown was able to play a role in the Raptors’ 133-99 smackdown of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 11 by playing 19 minutes, scoring six points and dishing five assists.
J.J. Hickson, Forward, Jiangsu Tong Xi
Part of the Chinese CBA League, Jiangsu Tong Xi signed the former NBA player who played eight years before playing overseas. Hickson leads his team in almost all major statistical categories such as points (29.25), rebounds (14.89), blocks (1.14) and steals per game (1.57).
In a 113-89 loss to Guangdong Southern on Jan. 19, Hickson recorded 30 points and 16 rebounds. With the addition of Hickson this offseason, Jiangsu Tong Xi has already posted more wins than any of its last four seasons with a 13-15 record which is good for 12th in the CBA standings.
C.J. Leslie, Forward, Antalya BSB
The older brother of current NC State women’s basketball player Kiara Leslie, C.J. Leslie signed to play in the Turkish Basketball League this season and is leading his team with 18.89 points, 8.39 rebounds and 1.84 steals per game.
Leslie posted a double-double on Dec. 23 in a loss to Turk Telekom with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Antalya BSB is currently fifth in the TBL standings with a 13-6 record.
