Former Louisville basketball star Reyne Smith finally got a chance to see the court for the Denver Nuggets, and he just proved he should have been on the floor a long time ago. Smith was on the Nuggets Summer League team after his impressive senior year season for Louisville, but unfortunately didn't get the minutes he deserved while in Las Vegas.
The former Cardinal didn't play at all in the first four games while he was in Las Vegas, but in a blowout against the Los Angeles Lakers, Smith finally received some minutes and proved he deserves a shot somewhere. The sharpshooter displayed brilliance from beyond the arc, like he always does, as he scored 17 points off the bench and added three assists and one rebound. He splashed five 3-pointers on 38 percent shooting from downtown and was the second-highest scorer of the game.
Related: Louisville basketball three-point specialist etched his name in program history books
Reyne Smith makes last second pitch for NBA G-League contract
Not playing for four games, but coming in the final game and having the right mindset, while displaying his ability to stroke it from beyond the arc, is extremely hard to do. There is nothing but respect for Smith and what he did Friday night, as his 17-point performance was precisely what he needed to do to try and earn an NBA G-League contract somewhere.
The Nuggets will most likely give their last two-way contract to Curtis Jones, but Smith just showed the nation that he can be a top shooter if he is given an opportunity.
*insert making it Reyne reference here*@reynesmith made his Summer League debut for the Nuggets and did exactly what he’s born to do in the 106-84 win over the Lakers.
— basketball.com.au (@bouncepassau) July 19, 2025
26 MINS | 17 PTS | 5 3PT | 1 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | +24 pic.twitter.com/BaxUhOeEYD
Smith then got the nod from the Wizards after they had just six players available for their last Summer League game, and while he only scored five points off the bench, his attitude in playing back-to-back and for another team is exactly what GMs and coaches want to see.
Smith's name was finally called, and he is proving that he loves the game of basketball and can become a lethal shooter if given a chance. The former Cardinals sharpshooter proved in college that he can compete in any league, as he sank 401 3-pointers during his collegiate career and had multiple seasons where he made 100 3-pointers or more.
Smith averaged 3.0 3-pointers per game in four years of college, and last season he averaged 3.5 per game for the Louisville Cardinals. The sharpshooter from Australia is an elite catch-and-shoot shooter, and Friday proved that if he is just given the opportunity, he can be a team's elite 3-point specialist.
Related: Former Louisville basketball star just got the Summer League spotlight he deserves
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