Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr. standing out in NBA Summer League
Dennis Smith Jr. has had his tools on full display since being drafted ninth overall by the Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. is turning heads in the Las Vegas Summer League. The 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals in 27.7 minutes per game so far in Vegas.
Smith put up 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in his debut on July 8. The Mavericks won the game 91-75 over the Chicago Bulls.
Smith has proven to be a potential option next to point guard Yogi Ferrell. The tandem has given Mavs fans a potential preview of what they can do together on the court next season.
In their second game together, Smith set himself apart from the rest. He put up 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals in an 88-77 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Smith got the better of Suns rookie Josh Jackson, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Still undefeated! Our Vegas #MavsSL17 squad defeat the Heat 78-73 behind @YogiFerrell11's 23pts & @Dennis1SmithJr's 16pts! pic.twitter.com/njveYPrWV4
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 12, 2017
In their game on Tuesday, Smith went for 16 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals in a 78-73 victory over the Miami Heat. The rookie guard out of North Carolina State has shown his ability to fill up the stat sheet and get victories in Vegas. Hopefully there’s some carryover when the regular season arrives.
Smith and Ferrell leading the way in Vegas
Dennis Smith Jr. has proven to be a formidable force next to Yogi Ferrell, a point guard who went undrafted out of the University of Indiana in 2016. Ferrell signed a 10-day deal with the Mavericks last season before turning heads with his play and earning a multi-year deal with the club.
Ferrell led the team to a 108-104 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers in February, making 9-of-11 three-pointers, scoring a career-high 32 points. He went on to be named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for February and was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team by season’s end in 2016-17.
Dennis Smith Jr., ladies and gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/ekvGX01BMG
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 11, 2017
Now, Ferrell and Smith look to be guards of the future in Dallas. The Mavericks organization isn’t shy to play small guards, either. They started 6-foot-2 point guard Seth Curry in 42 games last season, a career-high.
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Their size doesn’t seem to be an issue as Smith’s athleticism has been on display for much of Summer League.