NC State's Terquavion Smith taken off court on stretcher after hard foul by UNC's Leaky Black
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina State basketball’s Terquavion Smith left the court on a stretcher after being injured against North Carolina on Saturday.
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.
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, the ACC's leading scorer, appeared to have an air cast on his right arm as he was carted into the tunnel. NC State said Smith had an elbow and neck injury, and coach Kevin Keatts said Smith was taken to a hospital. No information about Smith’s condition was released.
Terquavion Smith taken off court. pic.twitter.com/VYGUslp8BU
— The Wolfpacker (@TheWolfpacker) January 21, 2023
“Our thoughts and prayers right now are with Terquavion,” Keatts said. “It’s a very emotional situation for me right now. … My prayers and my thoughts always go to my players in these types of moments.”
Keatts said he believes his players handled the situation after Smith’s injury well.
“Our guys are really close, a close-knit bunch,” Keatts said. “I thought we handled it as best we could.”
Black was tagged with a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game.
Photo of the Leaky Black foul on Terquavion Smith.
📸: @ScientifNick pic.twitter.com/SDF9lXMQNr— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) January 22, 2023
UNC won the game, 80-69.
Leaky Black speaks: pic.twitter.com/ZE813FDzSt
— NCSU Fan Page (@NCSUFanPage) January 22, 2023
Kevin Keatts went to join Terquavion Smith at UNC Medical Center when the team returned to Raleigh. Leaky Black asked for Smith's number and NC State provided it.
— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) January 22, 2023
Smith tweeted late Saturday night, saying he was "fine."
I am fine appreciate all the prayers and concern ❤️
— Terquavion Smith (@Tgetsbuckss23) January 22, 2023
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State basketball's Terquavion Smith stretchered off after hard foul