Any NC State fan knows the name Terquavion Smith.
Smith was one of the best and most exciting Wolfpack players in recent memory and was the centerpiece of last year’s men’s basketball team. Despite the guard leading the Wolfpack to the NCAA tournament and being one of the top players in the ACC last season, his name was not called during the 2023 NBA Draft. He eventually signed with the Philadelphia 76ers but has been underused and underappreciated throughout the league thus far.
Now, in the 76ers’ time of need, he can provide a spark for an injured Philadelphia squad.
Early in the season, the 76ers were one of the strongest teams in the NBA, led by potential MVP candidate Joel Embiid. The superstar center was having the best season of his career, averaging a league-leading 35.3 points per game, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists while leading his team to a 26-8 record.
However, Embiid’s season has also been one marred by injury, including a meniscus injury against the Golden State Warriors that required surgery, sidelining the star for at least four weeks. As of now, the 76ers are 6-13 without their prized center.
To make matters worse, Embiid is not the only Sixer out with injury. Sharpshooters De’Anthony Melton and Nicolas Batum have both been plagued by injury, causing them to miss multiple games. The sudden loss of key players has sent the Sixers into a downward, seemingly uncontrollable spiral. Fans and pundits alike have wondered, “Is there any way for them to get back on track before Embiid’s return?”
Enter Terquavion Smith. He has stepped up for Philadelphia late in the season but has shown he can make an impact on the court, most obviously by shooting 40% from beyond the arc. One example of his shooting prowess was against the Brooklyn Nets, where he dropped 17 points, shooting 5/6 from three, all within nine minutes.
Smith could continue to provide the scoring the Sixers have been lacking. Philadelphia has been looking for better shooters all season, noted by their acquisition for sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield at the trade deadline. They also acquired veteran guard Kyle Lowry from free agency. However, the 76ers’ best shooter is right in front of them.
Smith is currently on a two-way contract, meaning he can play for both the 76ers and their G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. In seven games with the Blue Coats, Smith has averaged 22.3 points and four 3-pointers made per game, all while shooting 40.3% from the arc. Forty percent is widely considered to be the standard for great shooters across the league.
Smith is a young and inexperienced player who still has flaws to his game, but on a team in need of some juice on the offense, why not give the new guy a chance? You never know what kind of spark he can provide to the team, especially a team as desperate for scorers as the 76ers are.
The red-and-white know what kind of player Terquavion Smith is. He can easily take over a game with his sharpshooting and has the potential to be a solid piece on a contending team. He simply needs the opportunity to play decent minutes. He could be the key to saving a drowning 76ers team.
