When people think of Fayetteville, N.C. they generally think of one person: J. Cole. By the time the NBA All-Star Weekend is done, he may have to share the marquee with his friend, Dallas Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr.
The former N.C. State guard is averaging 14.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds for a young Mavs squad, and has started every game he’s played. Uproxx recently had the chance to sit down with Smith, who told us about the adjustment from college to the NBA, having legends on and off the court on speed dial, and what it means to rep his hometown.
How does it feel to be participating in the Mountain Dew Rising Stars game?
I’m thankful for that opportunity. They’re a great team and a great business partner. The Rising Stars game, it’s a blessing to be a part of and I’m thankful for it.
Who are you looking forward to playing with in the game?
I like [Kyle] Kuzma a lot, and Brandon Ingram. That’s been my dog since high school. Fellow North Carolina guy.
What specifically do you like about Kuzma’s game?
He’s just got that confidence, he plays with that swag. Any time you play with a guy like that, they’re on course for big moments. One of those guys who could get hot at any moment, dude can really hoop.
You’re doing the dunk contest on Saturday, do you have anything planned for us?
Nah man, I’m gonna let my bounce and my swag take care of all that.
What’s your favorite non-Vince Carter dunk contest?
I think 2016, with Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine. I think that was a battle of epic proportions and I actually got to see that one live, too. That one was a great one to watch.
Years prior to that, the dunk contest had been kinda weak. Usually that was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, event of All-Star Weekend. It had gotten weak and they came out and brought the swag back to it, that one was a great one to catch live.
Recently, Coach Carlisle praised your play after a game against the Houston Rockets, how did that make you feel?
It felt great, he trusted me to be the leader for that game, put me out there with all the young guys. We held our own for the most part in that game from beginning to end, so that was a great feeling, he showed how much he trusted me. I feel like I gave him a reason to do that.
What’s been the toughest adjustment to the NBA thus far for you?
The biggest thing has been playing off the ball, I’m so used to being the point guard and having the ball, that’s been something I’ve been doing my whole life. Everything about playing off the ball has been an adjustment for me. But I’m learning though, I’m continuing to work at it and I’m getting better with it.
Are there any other things that have been tough outside of playing off the ball?
The amount of games. I don’t go to school, so I don’t even keep up with the days anymore. I just gotta focus on what I got to do tomorrow or what I got going on today.
So what’s it like playing with Dirk Nowitzki?
It’s a surreal feeling, not even going out and playing with him. Just being in the same locker room as him is crazy to me. It’s really hard to put into words.
Biggest thing you’ve learned playing with Dirk?
You get in what you put in. I always see him in the gym. It’s an off day today because of the break and I go to the gym to get some lifting in and the first guy I see in there is Dirk. He’s in there doing his work, he’s been like that all season.
Going off the court a bit, you proudly rep Fayetteville. How does that show in your game?
Any time you see me showing some charisma, involving myself with the fans or anything like that, bringing some swag to the game, that’s all Fayetteville.
You and J. Cole have been two guys who have put Fayetteville on the map. What has that been like?
It’s a great feeling, that’s someone I spend a lot of time listening to their work. Prior to meeting him, everything he had put out, I knew every word of it. From mixtapes to his albums, that’s how I was rocking with him at the time and I still rock with him like that now. That’s another thing that’s crazy, that I can call Cole at any time.
Were you star struck upon meeting J. Cole for the first time?
I’ve met a lot of NBA players as a youngin’ but I was never really super star struck or anything like that. But I met Cole for the first time, we were at the skating rink. My partner Mal, who was also friends with Cole, brought me over there to the crib for the listening party and they were like, “Nah. Cole ain’t here.” I met everyone on the Dreamville team that time and we went over to the skating rink later. I met him over there and we chopped it up.
We had a whole circle of people around us because, you know, in the ‘Ville, I’m kinda like a superstar back home. I got rank back home in Fayetteville. So there was a big circle around us, everybody recording. It was a crazy feeling. They didn’t understand at the time that some people over there looking up to me, but I’m star struck at the time talking to Cole right then.
Do you think you and J.Cole will ever do a record together?
I don’t know, man. I make little tracks with my homeboys, we do that on the regular. But a feature with Cole? I don’t think I’m that nice. (laughs)
Looking at North Carolina as a whole, you’ve got John Wall, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, yourself…
…Ish Smith.
Ish Smith as well, how does that feel to continue that line of point guards from the state?
It’s a great feeling, those are all great players. They do a great job of being in touch with me and making sure I can learn the ropes from them. And when it’s my turn, ushering in the next great North Carolina point guard, I’ll be ready to do so.
