Mavericks select Dennis Smith Jr. with No. 9 pick

With the ninth pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr.

Smith played a foundational role for the Wolfpack in 2016-17. The freshman led his team with 18.1 points and 6.2 assists in 34.8 minutes per game en route to a 15-17 record. He was considered one of the best players who didn't participate in the NCAA tournament this past spring.

At 6-foot-3, Smith isn't particularly big compared to today's NBA point guards, but his strength and explosive first step have previously offset most size disadvantages. Slow-footed big men are doomed to wind up on the wrong end of a vicious dunk if they get stuck guarding Smith in transition or on a pick-and-roll.

With prodigious physical tools, the question isn't whether Smith can hang with NBA athletes, but rather if he can adapt to increased mental intensity at the pro level. With few upperclassmen playing significant on-court roles at NC State, Smith was able to take on a ball-dominant role. To excel with the Mavs, he will need to show he can defer to his veteran teammates when the situation calls for it.