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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