The Rise of Dennis Smith Jr: Analyzing His Basketball Career and Future Prospects
2025-11-08 09:00
I remember watching Dennis Smith Jr's NBA debut back in 2017 like it was yesterday - that explosive athleticism just jumped off the screen immediately. When you've been following basketball as long as I have, you develop an instinct for spotting special talent, and Smith had that undeniable "it" factor from day one. His journey through the league has been anything but conventional, marked by both breathtaking highlights and frustrating setbacks that make his current resurgence with the Brooklyn Nets one of the more compelling stories in today's NBA.
Looking at his career trajectory, the numbers tell part of the story - from his rookie season averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists with Dallas to nearly falling out of the league entirely before revitalizing his career in Brooklyn. But statistics alone can't capture what makes Smith's journey so fascinating. I've always believed that point guard development follows one of the steepest curves in professional basketball, and Smith's path perfectly illustrates why. The mental aspect of running an offense, reading defensive schemes, and making split-second decisions separates good point guards from great ones, and this is where Smith has shown remarkable growth. His defensive intensity has become his calling card recently, with his steal rate jumping to 2.8 per 36 minutes this past season - a dramatic improvement that demonstrates his commitment to reshaping his game.
What really strikes me about Smith's evolution is how he's adapted his athletic gifts to fit modern NBA needs. Early in his career, he relied heavily on that incredible 48-inch vertical leap, but now he's channeling that explosiveness more strategically. I've noticed he's become much smarter about picking his spots - using his quickness to disrupt passing lanes defensively rather than just hunting highlight-reel dunks offensively. This maturity didn't happen overnight. There were seasons where he shot below 40% from the field and struggled with his three-point consistency, but his persistence through those challenges speaks volumes about his character.
The coaching influence throughout his career has been particularly interesting to observe. From Rick Carlisle's structured system in Dallas to now working with Jacque Vaughn in Brooklyn, Smith has experienced diverse coaching philosophies. This brings me to Byron Scott's recent involvement with FilNation Select-USA in the Philippines - seeing established NBA minds like Scott taking international roles demonstrates how global basketball development is becoming increasingly sophisticated. While Scott isn't directly coaching Smith, this trend of experienced NBA coaches working internationally creates pathways for player development that simply didn't exist a decade ago. The knowledge transfer from veterans like Scott to emerging basketball markets ultimately elevates the global game, which indirectly benefits players like Smith who may find opportunities overseas if NBA rosters become crowded.
Speaking of opportunities, Smith's future prospects present an intriguing case study. At 26 years old, he's entering what should be his physical prime, yet he's already accumulated six seasons of NBA experience. This combination of youth and veteran savvy makes him particularly valuable in today's pace-and-space oriented leagues. From what I've observed watching every Nets game this past season, Smith has developed into that rare combo guard who can legitimately defend three positions while providing secondary playmaking. His assist percentage of 24.3% last season doesn't jump off the page, but when you watch the film, you see how his penetration creates advantages that lead to hockey assists and defensive breakdowns.
The financial aspect of his career moving forward will be fascinating. After playing on minimum contracts recently, his performance resurgence positions him for what could be his most significant payday. I'd estimate he could command somewhere in the range of $8-12 million annually on his next deal, whether from Brooklyn or another team seeking backcourt depth. Teams like Orlando or San Antonio come to mind as ideal fits where his defensive intensity and transition offense would complement their young cores perfectly.
What often gets overlooked in Smith's narrative is how the point guard position itself has evolved during his career. When he entered the league, the prototype was still shifting from traditional floor generals to the scoring-focused guards we see today. Smith's adaptation to these changing demands - maintaining his aggressive scoring mentality while developing his facilitating and defensive skills - demonstrates impressive basketball IQ. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who've noted how his court vision has improved dramatically, particularly in pick-and-roll situations where he's reading the second and third defensive options rather than just his primary target.
As someone who's followed his career since his NC State days, I'm particularly bullish on Smith's potential to become a long-term NBA rotation player. The physical tools were never in question, but the mental growth he's shown through adversity separates him from countless other athletic phenoms who couldn't adjust. His journey reminds me that player development isn't linear - sometimes taking a step back, as Smith did when he nearly fell out of the league, provides the perspective necessary for meaningful growth. The NBA's current landscape, with its emphasis on switchable defenders and secondary creators, plays perfectly to his evolving strengths.
Looking ahead, I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith become a staple in Brooklyn's backcourt rotation or potentially flourish in a sixth-man role elsewhere. His ability to change games defensively while providing offensive sparks makes him increasingly valuable in today's NBA. The fact that he's still younger than many players entering their prime suggests his best basketball might still be ahead of him. For a player whose career一度 appeared in jeopardy, Smith's resilience and adaptability have transformed him into one of the league's more compelling redemption stories - and from where I sit, this chapter might just be the beginning of his most productive years.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
