Nolan Smith is one step closer to getting back in the NBA.
The former Blue Devil guard was acquired by the Delaware 87ers—the Development League affiliate of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers—Wednesday afternoon, as announced by the team. Smith had been playing for Galatasaray Liv Hospital in the Turkish League, but parted ways with the club at the end of October after a towel-throwing incident that drew the ire of Galatasary head coach Ergin Ataman.
A national-title winning guard in his four years in Durham, Smith has had a turbulent start to his professional career. After being selected 21st overall by Portland in the 2011 NBA draft, the 6-foot-2 guard made 44 appearances in his first season with the Trail Blazers, averaging 3.8 points per game. But in the midst of his second year as a pro, when he averaged fewer than eight minutes per game, Smith was optioned to the NBA D-League and the Idaho Stampede in January 2013 for a brief stint, and did not return to Portland after the 2012-13 season.
After bouncing around the NBA's summer league circuit, Smith took his talents overseas, officially signing a one-year deal in Croatia in August 2013. After a successful year with Cedevita Zagreb, Smith signed with Galatasary in August of this year, but returned to the United States after parting ways with the club.
A fan favorite, Smith attended both of Duke's first two home games this season, witnessing a pair of Blue Devil wins by more than 50 points.
The 76ers are the league's only winless team, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 0-14. If Smith puts on a good showing during his time in Delaware, he could earn a call-up to join Philadelphia to give head coach Brett Brown another option in the backcourt.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.