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NC State basketball’s Terquavion Smith injury leaves Kevin Keatts ‘very emotional’

Rodd Baxley, The Fayetteville Observer
·3 min read
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CHAPEL HILL – NC State basketball star Terquavion Smith, the ACC's leading scorer, is "day-to-day" after a scary fall in the Wolfpack's 80-69 loss at North Carolina.

Smith, who is averaging 18.7 points per game, left the court on a stretcher after being injured in the second half against the Tar Heels (14-6, 6-3 ACC). NC State on Sunday morning released an update on Smith's status.

According to the Wolfpack, Smith reported neck and elbow pain and had numbness in his right arm. Due to the report of neck pain, medical procedure required the use of a backboard and stretcher to move Smith off the floor at UNC. He was taken to the UNC Medical Center and all x-rays were negative. He was released and returned to Raleigh.

“My prayers and thoughts, right now, are with Terquavion,” NC State coach Kevin Keatts said Saturday. “I don’t have an update for you guys. I know he did go to the hospital. I’m waiting to hear back – very emotional situation for me right now.”

At 11:24 p.m. Saturday, Smith sent out a tweet about his status: "I am fine appreciate all the prayers and concerns."

On a drive to the rim with 9:45 left in the second half, Smith was fouled by Leaky Black and appeared to land hard on his right arm.

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Trainers signaled for a stretcher and wheeled Smith off the Smith Center floor as fans gave the sophomore guard a standing ovation. UNC led 59-49 at the time of Smith’s injury.

Smith appeared to have an air cast on his right arm as he was carted into the tunnel. Black was tagged with a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game.

“I haven’t seen it,” Keatts said of the play. “When (Smith) fell, I went directly to him. I know Leaky Black, so I don’t think he would make a dirty play.”

North Carolina State forward Dusan Mahorcic, second from right, and teammates react as medical personnel tend to injured player Terquavion Smith after Smith crashed to the floor after being fouled during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina State forward Dusan Mahorcic, second from right, and teammates react as medical personnel tend to injured player Terquavion Smith after Smith crashed to the floor after being fouled during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

UNC coach Hubert Davis started his postgame press conference with thoughts about Smith.

“First of all, I just want to talk about Terquavion. He’s such an unbelievable kid and unbelievable player. You never want to see anybody get hurt or injured,” Davis said.

“My hope and my prayer is that he’s not hurt or injured. He’s a fantastic player … and just didn’t like seeing that.”

Davis went on to say Black was “worried” about Smith.

“Leaky’s already asked for Terquavion’s phone number, so he can call and just check on him, and just see if he’s OK,” Davis said.

Smith, who scored 12 points, is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The Greenville native has been the leading scorer for the Wolfpack (15-5, 5-4) in 10 of 20 games, including five straight ahead of the trip to UNC. He's also averaging 4.5 assists.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State basketball’s Terquavion Smith injury leaves Kevin Keatts ‘very emotional’