Charlotte Hornets

Hornets podcast: Five good minutes with guard Dennis Smith Jr.

Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. brings the ball up court against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. brings the ball up court against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond) AP

The last couple of years have been a whirlwind for Dennis Smith Jr., but it looks like he might have found a home in his native state.

Smith is settling in with the Charlotte Hornets, typically one of the first guards summoned off the bench by coach Steve Clifford. He’s become a go-to defender and often picks up his man in the backcourt, attempting to constantly put pressure on the ball.

In the latest episode of The QC Hornets’ Nest, Smith offers his thoughts on the season and the emotions he felt after being derailed by an ankle injury. He also describes what it’s like to finally play alongside LaMelo Ball considering the initial anticipation, why he’s taken to Clifford, his goals for the rest of the season and more.

The weekly podcast can also be found on Apple and Spotify.

Roderick Boone
The Charlotte Observer
Roderick Boone joined the Observer in September 2021 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and NBA. In his more than two decades of writing about the world of sports, he’s chronicled everything from high school rodeo to a major league baseball no-hitter to the Super Bowl to the Finals. The Long Island native has deep North Carolina roots and enjoys watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” endlessly. Support my work with a digital subscription
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