LOOK: Terquavion Smith gives update following scary injury, being stretchered off the court
N.C. State guard Terquavion Smith was seriously injured on Saturday afternoon in the second half of the N.C. State-North Carolina matchup in the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Smith was driving to the hoop on a routine layup but was hit in the face by North Carolina’s Leaky Black in mid-air. As Black was trying to block the shot attempt, it caused Smith to land very awkardly on the floor. The Smith Center was quiet for several minutes as the medical personnel and EMTs tended to Smith on the baseline. He was down for several minutes and according to the ACC Network, Smith had what was being defined as an “elbow and neck injury” once he was stretchered off the floor. Late Saturday evening, the N.C. State superstar tweeted a message to let everyone know that he’s going to be okay.
Check out his message below.
“I am fine appreciate all the prayers and concern,” Smith tweeted late Saturday night.
The play happened with 9:45 remaining in the second half of the game. The N.C. State Twitter page also officially stated that Smith had an elbow and neck injury.
A flagrant two foul was assessed to North Carolina’s Leaky Black following the hit. But he apologized for the incident, which didn’t seem like a malicious foul in any way. Just a highly, highly unfortunate accident. Those kinds of things happen from time to time in sports. Smith did not return to Saturday’s game. North Carolina ended up winning the game, 80-69.
Terquavion Smith is one of the best players in all of college basketball. N.C. State will certainly miss him if he has to miss any time. For now, fans can rest easy knowing that he’ll be okay. Before the injury, the Wolfpack’s superstar pumped in 12 points, one rebound, and one assist in 23 minutes of work. This season, he’s averaging 19.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.