Dennis Smith Jr.

Background

Dennis Cliff Smith Jr. is an American professional basketball player whose talents on the court have earned him recognition in the sport. He’s a Sagittarius born on November 25, 1997, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Smith Jr. has always been interested in basketball. He attended Trinity Christian School in his hometown and averaged 9.2 points in his first year. In a December 2013 game, he scored 41 points in an 82-73 win over H.C.Y.A. Smith was one of the best players in his high school class. He was rated a five-star recruit. In September 2015, Smith Jr. committed to North Carolina State University. He graduated high school early, in December 2015.

In January 2016, Smith enrolled at N.C. State University. In November that year, he recorded a then career-high 24 points in a win against Saint Joseph’s University. The next week, he made 30 points in a win against Loyola University Chicago. In January 2017, Smith recorded his first triple-double (27 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists). After his freshman season, he gave up the remaining three years of his collegiate career to enter the 2017 N.B.A. Draft, where he got selected with the ninth overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks. He signed his rookie contract in July 2017 and made his debut, scoring 16 points in a loss against the Atlanta Hawks. In May 2018, he was named to the N.B.A. All-Rookie Second Team. He was traded to the New York Knicks in January 2019. In January 2021, he was assigned to the Knicks’ affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, and in February, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. In September 2021, he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. After sustaining a U.C.L. tear in his right elbow, he was waived in February.

Smith is a talented athlete with so many skills to offer. Although he tries to keep his personal life private, he was in a relationship with Dominique Wilson, a basketball player. He is currently single and focusing on his career.