NC State guard Terquavion Smith is stretchered off after a scary fall following UNC foul

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NC State guard Terquavion Smith was stretchered off the court following a terrifying fall driving to the basket during the Wolfpack's 80-69 loss to North Carolina Saturday. 

Smith, the leading scorer in the ACC, suffered a scary injury and had to be taken off the court with 9:45 remaining in the second half. 

The sophomore attacked the rim and tried to finish a left-handed runner but North Carolina's Leaky Black arm caught Smith in the face as he attempted to block the shot. 

Terquavion Smith taken off court. pic.twitter.com/VYGUslp8BU

— The Wolfpacker (@TheWolfpacker) January 21, 2023 NC State guard Terquavion Smith was stretchered off the court following a terrifying fall

NC State guard Terquavion Smith was stretchered off the court following a terrifying fall

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The NC State guard fell backwards and landed hard on the floor. As he fell, Smith appeared to attempt to support himself with his right arm and the program later announced that he has sustained elbow and neck injuries.  

Black was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game. 

Immediately after hitting the hardwood at the Smith Center, the guard received medical attention as his teammates huddled around him. 

North Carolina's Leaky Black arm caught Smith in the face as he attempted to block the shot

North Carolina's Leaky Black arm caught Smith in the face as he attempted to block the shot

After landing on the hardwood, the sophomore received medical attention from the trainers

After landing on the hardwood, the sophomore received medical attention from the trainers

He remained down on the court for several minutes while being tended to with many of his teammates visibly upset and concerned. 

After trainers tended to him, he was lifted on to the stretcher and carted off the court, before being taken to hospital. 

NC State released a statement Sunday announcing that Smith had been released from hospital. 

'NC State men's basketball sophomore guard Terquavion Smith reported neck and elbow pain and had numbness in his right arm after a foul midway through the second half of las night's game at North Carolina,' the statement read. 

'Due to the report of neck pain, medical procedure required the use of a backboard and stretcher to move him. Smith was taken to UNC Medical Center and all x-rays taken Saturday night were negative. He was released from the hospital and returned to Raleigh. 

His teammates gathered around Smith as he was tended to with many visibly upset

His teammates gathered around Smith as he was tended to with many visibly upset

'Smith's playing status is day-to-day,' 

Following the game, NC State coach Kevin Keatts said: 'Our thoughts and prayers right now are with Terquavion.

'It´s a very emotional situation for me right now. ... My prayers and my thoughts always go to my players in these types of moments.'

The coach added that he believes his players handled the situation well after Smith's injury.

'Our guys are really close, a close-knit bunch,'' Keatts said. 'I thought we handled it as best we could.''

No information about Smith's condition was released, but the player took to Twitter late Saturday and posted: 'I am fine appreciate all the prayers and concern,' followed by a heart emoji.

Smith, who finished with 12 points prior to the injury, is a projected early second-round pick in the 2023 NBA draft, according to Sports Illustrated. 

NC State coach Kevin Keatts believed his player handled the situation well after Smith's injury

NC State coach Kevin Keatts believed his player handled the situation well after Smith's injury

Following Smith's injury, North Carolina led 34-33 at the break before going on to seal a dominant win in the second half. 

Armando Bacot established the North Carolina record with his 61st career double-double, breaking a tie with Billy Cunningham. He also passed Tyler Hansbrough for first place on UNC's career rebounding list, 1,221-1,219. 

The Tar Heels (14-6, 6-3), who have won three in a row and nine of the past 11, improved to 10-0 at home this season, including 5-0 in ACC play.

The loss snapped North Carolina State's four-game winning streak.

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