Terquavion Smith Bio
Terquavion Lamont Smith is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Shenzhen Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, he is listed as a combo guard capable of playing both shooting guard and point guard. After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, Smith signed as a free agent and has built his professional career across the NBA G League, the CBA, and European basketball leagues.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Smith first gained statewide attention as a high school standout before becoming one of the top freshman scorers in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history during his time at NC State. He has since developed into a reliable scoring guard at the professional level, earning a CBA scoring title and an NBA G League All-Rookie selection.
Early Life and Background
Terquavion Lamont Smith was born on December 31, 2002, in Greenville, North Carolina. He grew up in the eastern part of the state and attended Farmville Central High School in nearby Farmville, North Carolina. The region has long produced talented basketball players, and Smith quickly emerged as one of the most promising young guards in the area.
During his senior season at Farmville Central, Smith averaged 25.6 points, six rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 3.2 steals per game while leading his team to a perfect record. His dominant play earned him the Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year award for North Carolina and the prestigious North Carolina Mr. Basketball honor in 2021. Following his senior campaign, Smith committed to NC State University to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level.
Path to Basketball
Smith arrived at NC State as one of the most highly regarded recruits in the program’s recent history. As a freshman during the 2021–2022 season, he started 25 of 32 games and immediately demonstrated his scoring ability. He averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while connecting on 96 three-pointers, the fourth-highest total ever by a freshman in ACC history. His performance earned him a place on the ACC All-Rookie Team.
Following his freshman year, Smith initially entered the 2022 NBA Draft but later withdrew his name and returned to NC State for his sophomore season. During his second year with the Wolfpack, he continued to produce at a high level and was named to the Second-team All-ACC in 2023. After two strong college seasons, Smith declared for the 2023 NBA Draft and went undrafted before signing his first professional contract.
Terquavion Smith Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
Smith signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 1, 2023, after going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft. Under the terms of the two-way deal, he split time between the 76ers and their NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. His assignment to the Blue Coats allowed him to receive consistent playing time and develop his professional game.
During his lone season in the G League, Smith earned a spot on the NBA G League All-Rookie Team in 2024. He also received a brief opportunity with the parent club, scoring 17 points in a game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 3, 2024. His performances during this period helped establish him as a scoring guard with professional potential.
Jiangsu Dragons and European Stint (2024–2025)
On September 15, 2024, Smith signed with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association, beginning his career outside the United States. The move gave him the chance to take on a featured scoring role in an international league and continue developing his offensive game.
On January 7, 2025, Smith signed with Darüşşafaka of the Basketbol Süper Ligi in Turkey, adding European experience to his professional resume. Later that spring, on March 21, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the Rip City Remix, returning briefly to the NBA G League system.
Shenzhen Leopards Era (2025–Present)
On December 1, 2025, Smith signed with the Shenzhen Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association. The signing marked his return to the CBA and provided him with a leading role on a competitive roster. His scoring production with the Leopards earned him the CBA scoring title for the 2026 season, a significant milestone in his young career.
Wearing jersey number 77, Smith has continued to play as a combo guard, splitting duties between shooting guard and point guard. His transition between North American, European, and Asian professional leagues has highlighted his adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Smith’s most notable career achievements are his 2021 North Carolina Mr. Basketball award, his ACC All-Rookie Team selection in 2022, and his Second-team All-ACC honor in 2023. He added an NBA G League All-Rookie Team nod in 2024 and capped his early professional journey with a CBA scoring championship in 2026. He also reached an early NBA milestone by scoring 17 points against the Brooklyn Nets during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
Terquavion Smith Career Wins
While individual awards are more common in professional basketball than outright championship titles, Terquavion Smith has accumulated several notable honors since his high school days. His scoring title in the CBA and his All-Rookie selections at both the collegiate and professional levels stand out as the clearest markers of success in his career so far.
Accolades and Highlights
Smith’s first major honor came in 2021 when he was named North Carolina Mr. Basketball after leading Farmville Central to a perfect senior-season record. In 2022, he was named to the ACC All-Rookie Team following a strong freshman campaign at NC State. A year later, in 2023, he earned Second-team All-ACC recognition, cementing his status as one of the top guards in the conference.
At the professional level, Smith was selected to the NBA G League All-Rookie Team in 2024 while playing for the Delaware Blue Coats. In 2026, he added a CBA scoring championship while playing for the Shenzhen Leopards, further solidifying his reputation as a consistent scorer.
Other Performances
In addition to his formal awards, Smith posted a 17-point outing against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2023–2024 NBA season while on a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. His time in Turkey with Darüşşafaka and in the G League with the Rip City Remix also gave him valuable experience in different basketball systems and styles of play.
Terquavion Smith Family
Family Background
Terquavion Lamont Smith was raised in Greenville, North Carolina, and attended Farmville Central High School in nearby Farmville. Detailed information about his parents and extended family has not been widely published, and he has largely kept his family life private from public view.
Personal Life
Smith has focused much of his public profile on his basketball career rather than his personal life. There is no publicly available information confirming a spouse or children, and his current residence has not been officially disclosed. His professional journey has taken him across multiple countries, including the United States, Turkey, and China.
2025 Season Performance
Terquavion Smith’s 2025 calendar year was defined by significant movement between teams and leagues. He began the year overseas, signing with Darüşşafaka of the Basketbol Süper Ligi in Turkey on January 7, 2025, before returning to the NBA G League system with the Rip City Remix on March 21, 2025. Each stop provided him with new opportunities to refine his game against different styles of competition.
Later in the year, on December 1, 2025, Smith signed with the Shenzhen Leopards of the CBA, where he quickly established himself as a primary scoring option. His production during the 2025–2026 CBA season earned him the league’s scoring title for 2026, marking one of the most productive stretches of his professional career.
Looking ahead, Smith is expected to continue serving as a featured guard for the Shenzhen Leopards as the CBA season progresses. His scoring consistency and willingness to adapt to new leagues and teammates position him well for sustained success in international basketball.