Dennis Smith, a top-ranked point guard, at the Dail Basketball Center at NC State on Friday, April 1, 2016. (Madeline Gray/North State Journal)

Dennis Smith Jr. cleared for basketball activities with NC State

RALEIGH – The Dennis Smith era has officially begun in Raleigh.

Smith, NC State’s prized recruit in the 2016 class, is officially cleared to return to basketball activities. The Fayetteville native made the news official on Twitter.

Prior to the announcement, Smith told the North State Journal he was fully healthy and ready to get back on the court. He hopes to return to the court even better than he was last August.

“Oh, I’m 100 percent now,” Smith told the North State Journal. “But I don’t want to come back at 100 percent, though. I want to be around 120 after my recovery and playing better than I ever have by October.”

That’s a terrifying statement for ACC fans after the mixtape released earlier this week by Ball is Life.

During his time enrolled at NC State, Smith has rehabbed quicker than expected and said he’s gained 16 pounds in muscle alone. He hopes to use his increased strength and stamina to bring an up-tempo approach to the NC State offense in 2016-17.

For the full interview with Smith in this Sunday’s paper, subscribe to the North State Journal.

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