NC State’s potential top five

Dennis Smith Jr., fr., G, 6-3, 195: The freshman point guard from Fayetteville has already learned how to use his body to create and play through contact. He has deceptive upper-body strength and exceptional athletic ability. His on-the-ball defense will be an element the team has been missing recently.

Torin Dorn, so., G, 6-5, 208: The versatile sophomore guard can defend four positions and will be relied on to help rebound. A capable scorer, Dorn averaged 12.0 points at Charlotte as a freshman in 2014-15. He needs to work on his 3-point shot but can get out and score in transition.

Terry Henderson, sr., G, 6-5, 190: A fifth-year senior, Henderson has only played 7 minutes the past two years since transferring from West Virginia. He tore the ligaments in his right ankle in the first half of the season-opener last year and missed the rest of the season. With sophomore wing Maverick Rowan, Henderson will be relied on to make 3-point shots. Henderson was 89 of 231 from the 3-point line (38.5 percent) in two seasons at West Virginia.

Omer Yurtseven, fr., F, 7-0, 245: A skilled big man, Yurtseven can score around the basket and is a strong passer from the post. He can extend his range to the 3-point line. The Turk will have to sit out the first nine games of the season after playing for a professional club the past three years. He’s eligible to return on Dec. 15 against Appalachian State.

Abdul-Malik Abu, jr., F, 6-8, 240: The junior forward’s numbers jumped last year from 6.4 to 12.9 points per game and 4.8 rebounds to 8.8 per game. As the lone big in a four-guard lineup, he has chances to improve both averages this season. He could wind up as the ACC’s top rebounder. There will be an adjustment when Yurtseven is eligible with two bigs on the floor at the same time but Yurtseven will only help Abu’s game.

Joe Giglio

This story was originally published November 9, 2016 at 5:17 PM with the headline "NC State’s potential top five."