Tag: Terquavion Smith

Former Sixers guard Terquavion Smith to join Blazers’ summer league

Former Philadelphia 76ers guard Terquavion Smith will play for the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer league.

The Philadelphia 76ers gave undrafted guard Terquavion Smith a chance in 2023 and the young guard took advantage of his time on a two-way deal. The young guard out of North Carolina State averaged 22.0 points and 3.4 assists while playing for the Delaware Blue Coats.

He did get in 16 games for the Sixers while the team was going through injury issues and he showed some flashes. He averaged 3.3 points and 0.8 assists while shooting 37.1% from deep in those NBA games. He has NBA athleticism and just now needs to grow as a player.

The Sixers did not offer Smith a qualifying offer making him a free agent in 2024 and he will get an opportunity in the summer league with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers announced their summer league roster here and Smith is on the roster.

Smith just needs an opportunity to get a chance to play. The Sixers are a title contender and he didn’t receive the necessary court time. The Blazers are a rebuilding team which gives him a better chance to play.

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Report: Sixers to decline qualifying offer for Terquavion Smith

The Philadelphia 76ers will decline the qualifying offer for second-year guard Terquavion Smith.

Free agency in the NBA is set to begin at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday evening and the Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for a big frenzy. The Sixers have their eyes set on Paul George looking to add him to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Terquavion Smith, an undrafted rookie on a two-way deal with the Sixers, will have his qualifying offer declined leading him to enter free agency. Smith played in only 16 only games and averaged 3.3 points and 0.8 assists. He spent the majority of his rookie season in the G League with the team’s affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.

Smith is an interesting player, but it makes sense as to why the Sixers did not give him the qualifying offer. Philadelphia just simply does not have the time to get him on the court and help him grow and develop.

With free agency set to begin, Smith will get an opportunity elsewhere while the Sixers will look to get their third star.

Sixers’ Terquavion Smith using Ricky Council IV as motivation for himself

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Terquavion Smith is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ricky Council IV and earn his own standard NBA deal.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers did not have any picks in the 2023 NBA draft and had to go the undrafted free agent route to add young talent.

The Sixers signed Ricky Council IV and Terquavion Smith to two-way deals immediately after the draft. Council proved himself enough to earn a standard NBA deal.

Smith played in 16 NBA games and averaged 3.3 points while shooting 37.1% from deep. He hopes to follow in Council’s footsteps and earn his own deal in the league.

“Yeah, for sure,” Smith said. “It’s always a competitive side to it. That gave me all the motivation that I needed to see that as possible and I appreciate him for that and I just cheer for him. I told him good luck with everything.”

In 22 G League regular-season games, Smith averaged 22.8 points and 3.8 assists while shooting 37.1% from deep for the Delaware Blue Coats. He seeks to build on those numbers in his second season whether that is with the Sixers or somebody else.

Smith and Council will continue to be friends whatever happens next.

“That’s another dog right there, too,” Smith added. “That’s my guy. So just to see him grow and develop like that, that meant a lot to me. It gave me confidence and motivation, and let me know that it’s possible to get a contract or just make bigger moves for yourself and perform at a high level. So, it was the best seeing one of my friends accomplish his dreams.”

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Pacers’ Oscar Tshiebwe headlines 2023-24 G League All-Rookie Team

Tshiebwe was named the G League Rookie of the Year after averaging 15.9 points, 15.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists with the Indiana Mad Ants.

Indiana Pacers center Oscar Tshiebwe and Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller were among the players named to the 2023-24 G League All-Rookie Team, which was released on Thursday.

Tshiebwe was named the G League Rookie of the Year on April 2 after averaging 15.9 points, 15.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 57.3% shooting from the field in 34 games with the Indiana Mad Ants. He led the G League in rebounding and was second in double-doubles (28).

He was also named to the All-G League first team.

Miller was runner-up for G League Rookie of the Year, averaging 20.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, two assists and 1.2 steals with the Ontario Clippers. He ranked fourth in total points (814) among first-year players and 24th in total rebounds (245).

Tshiebwe and Miller are joined by Chicago Bulls center Adama Sanogo, Philadelphia 76ers guard Terquavion Smith and Santa Cruz Warriors guard Kendric Davis, the only player not signed to a two-way contract. Sanogo was also named to the All-G League third team.

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Blue Coats coach Mike Longabardi comments on Ricky Council IV, Terquavion Smith

Delaware Blue Coats coach Mike Longabardi discusses the development of Philadelphia 76ers rookies Ricky Council IV and Terquavion Smith.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Philadelphia 76ers two-way rookies Ricky Council IV and Terquavion Smith are currently up with the team with the Sixers ravaged by injuries. Coach Nick Nurse can call upon them to produce at any moment.

With the Sixers having a rough night in Indiana to begin their 5-game road trip, Nurse gave Council IV and Smith their time to play in the fourth quarter. Council IV poured in 11 points while knocking down a triple and Smith had five assists with three steals and two points. The two rookies showed off their ability to produce and the Sixers know they have some terrific pieces for the future.

Mike Longabardi, the coach of Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, expressed his happiness for both Council IV and Smith as they move forward with their careers.

“We’re so happy for them,” Longabardi said on Friday after the Blue Coats defeated the Wisconsin Herd. “They’ve worked extremely hard. Both of them are big time. Like, love the game type guys, they’re hoopers, and to watch them get out there and play. We’re all just so, so happy for them.”

Both Council IV and Smith have been working hard since the summer. They played for the Sixers in both the Salt Lake City Summer League and the Las Vegas Summer League and they stayed with the team throughout this entire process.

Council IV is averaging 24.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in seven regular season games with the Blue Coats while Smith is averaging 22.3 points and 3.0 assists in Delaware. Longabardi has been impressed with their development.

“I just think experience, right?” said Longabardi. “They just like keep going, getting through it. They’ve been here since the summer, and they just continue to work. I just think now the pace and flow of the game, and I know—I send them a text message all the time, I said, ‘you guys belong’. They’re confident kids and they want to go out and they want to play so I’m really happy for them.”

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Sixers rookie Terquavion Smith using G League to learn for the future

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Terquavion Smith is using the G League as a learning experience to help shape his future.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Philadelphia 76ers undrafted rookie Terquavion Smith made his NBA debut in Philadelphia’s win over the Orlando Magic on Friday. He played the final 1:49 and pumped in six quick points by knocking down two deep triples.

Smith, a scoring guard out of North Carolina State, is averaging 22.3 points and shooting 40.8% from deep while taking 10.1 3-pointers per night in the G League with the Delaware Blue Coats. He has been terrific as a scorer and clearly understands where he can get his points.

He uses the G League to learn and set himself up for the future.

“I’ll have to say just learning,” said Smith after his debut in Orlando. “Being a sponge to everything around me and all the resources that I have, so I feel like if I can do that, I’ll be good in my career.”

After the win in Orlando, Smith received a lot of praise for his performance. Coach Nick Nurse also called him something of an electric scorer. He is somebody who can get to the basket and get his points at a high level.

Smith can now grow with the fact that Nurse and his veteran teammates have his back and show their support to him.

“It means everything to me to have that confidence from the guys, my vets, and my coaches,” Smith finished. “It just motivates me and keeps me going. So it does mean a lot. It plays a big part in how I look at the game and want to play.”

The Sixers don’t have a spot for Smith in the rotation at the moment as they have bigger plans in mind, but if he continues to grow and takes the necessary steps forward, then Philadelphia could eventually open up a spot for him.

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Terquavion Smith reacts to making NBA debut after Sixers beat Magic

Rookie Terquavion Smith reacts to making his NBA debut after the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic.

ORLANDO, Fla. — As the Philadelphia 76ers were wrapping up a 124-109 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday to begin a two-game road trip, an opportunity arose for an undrafted rookie to fulfill his dream.

Terquavion Smith made his NBA debut, playing the final 1:49. He knocked down two triples for his first NBA points. It was a special moment for a young man who has worked so hard to get to this point.

“It’s a surreal moment,” said Smith after the win. “Something I’ve always dreamed of just being blessed to get the opportunity that means a lot. So, I would like to thank the Sixers organization for giving me the opportunity to do something that I always dreamed of doing. So I’m just very thankful at the end of the day.”

Smith received the game ball from a very special person: Joel Embiid.

“It means everything,” Smith added of getting the game ball from Embiid. “NBA MVP, so I mean, I’m blessed. It made me smile so it’s all I could ask for.”

When asked where he will put the ball, Smith isn’t sure, but he knows he will cherish this moment for the rest of his life.

“Anywhere!” he laughed. “I’ll probably dribble it. I’m probably gonna play with it for the rest of my life for real.”

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Jaden Springer, other Sixers youngsters catch the eye of Joel Embiid

Jaden Springer and the other young Philadelphia 76ers players have caught the eye of Joel Embiid.

CAMDEN, N.J. — While the Philadelphia 76ers work through the James Harden saga, other aspects of the team deserve attention as the 2023-24 season approaches.

The Sixers are looking for third-year guard Jaden Springer to make a big step forward. The No. 28 pick in the 2021 NBA draft has had terrific moments in the G League, but it is time to make his case to earn a rotation spot for new coach Nick Nurse.

Through the first three preseason games, Springer has shown off his defensive ability as well as his continued improvement on the offensive end. That ability to perform on both ends of the floor is something Joel Embiid pushed him to improve in.

“Jaden has gotten better,” Embiid said. “I’ve been on him since last year and really all summer about just messing with him about being a better shooter. He’s gotten so much better. You can tell he’s worked the whole summer, he took it personal, and he’s done a great job throughout this whole summer and this preseason.”

Springer is averaging 11.7 points in the preseason and shooting 63.6% from the floor. If he can continue to take steps on the offensive end, he should be a rotation regular.

Other than Springer, the Sixers have undrafted rookies Terquavion Smith, Ricky Council IV and Azuolas Tubelis to develop. Smith has had some nice moments during the exhibition schedule, which shows his potential and the work that must be done.

“Terq obviously is extremely talented,” Embiid added. “He comes in, he’s got a long way to go. He has a lot of energy and he wants to play and he wants to get involved and attack and attack and attack which is great, but he’s gonna learn as time goes, but we got a bunch of young, talented guys, and we just have to help them.”

The Sixers have one preseason game left on Friday when they host the Atlanta Hawks.

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Tobias Harris feeling impressed with Terquavion Smith, Sixers rookies

Tobias Harris has been feeling impressed with Terquavion Smith and the other rookies for the Philadelphia 76ers.

CAMDEN, N.J.–The Philadelphia 76ers have a talented group of undrafted rookies coming in looking to make an impact. Terquavion Smith, Ricky Council IV, and Azuolas Tubelis are all signed to two-way deals and the Sixers will be looking to develop them in the G League.

All three players, particularly Smith and Council IV, have shown off some impressive skills such as athleticism, shooting, playmaking, and defensive plays. They had some solid performances in the summer league and they now have been able to show their veteran teammates in practice and in the preseason so far.

“To start off, the athleticism is crazy,” laughed Tobias Harris. “Even today (Sunday). We’ve been gone for two weeks now. We’ve just gone 5-on-0 and I’m just sitting over like ‘These guys are fast’. They got speed, power, athleticism, and they’ve been pushing us. Like when we’ve gone live every single day that we’ve played, they’ve been pushing the pace, pushing us and keeping us sharp.”

Smith and Council IV were able to show off their athleticism and skill in Saturday’s Blue X White scrimmage in Delaware which is where they will spend the majority of their rookie season with the Blue Coats. The Sixers are just here to help them along.

“Everybody that was at the scrimmage got to see that up front of how good they can be,” Harris added. “We’re just here to help help their progress along the way. They’re all great players, great people in the locker room as well. So that’s fun to be a part of when you see that development of the young guys.”

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Nick Nurse discusses plans for Terquavion Smith, other Sixers rookies

Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse discusses the plans for Terquavion Smith and the other rookies on the team.

WILMINGTON, Del.–As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward with the 2023-24 season, the focus remains on winning their first championship since 1983. Even amid the James Harden saga, they feel like they have a talented team to compete in the Eastern Conference and win a title.

Therefore, their crop of rookies will need to get to the G League to get the necessary court time to develop and grow.

Two-way players Terquavion Smith, Ricky Council IV, and Azuolas Tubelis will likely be spending the upcoming season with the Delaware Blue Coats in order to continue to grow as players in the future.

“I just think that nobody gets better unless there’s minutes on the court,” said coach Nick Nurse. “So first and foremost, I want minutes for those guys, and then there’s gotta be opportunity, chances, and that’s usually talking about creating offense and shot attempts and all those kinds of things. I just think that you do have to focus in on those guys maximizing their time here and that means minutes and chances.”

Those minutes will not be available at the NBA level. It’s just the nature of the business in this league and that is where the G League continues to come in and make a difference.

Nurse and Blue Coats coach Mike Longabardi will be in contact all season long in order to help their group of talented young players continue to grow.

“I believe in keeping it together,” Nurse added. “There’s obviously lots of synergy with the systems and so there’s some smooth transition time and stuff like that. So I’m encouraging those guys to be around us as much as their schedules allow and I think it just makes that synergy so much easier.”

It does help the youngsters that they have been able to work with both Nurse and Longabardi a bit in the summer. That gives them a jump start heading into the new season.

“I really think they’ve put a lot of time in,” added Longabardi. “If you go back track. They were together for two summer leagues. We had some workouts in LA that they were at and then the month of September, they did an amazing job just coming in being there. Five, six days a week working on their games, they built the chemistry together.”

There is one important thing that the rookies all have that Longabardi notices: they all love the game.

“I think they’re all hungry,” he finished. “I think they all love basketball. They love to play and they want to get better.”

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