Russ Smith Sets D-League Single-Game Scoring Record

Former Louisville guard Russ Smith beat the the NBA Development League single-game scoring record on Wednesday night.

Russ Smith Sets D-League Single-Game Scoring Record

Smith, who now plays for the Delaware 87ers, earned 65 points on a whopping 24-of-42 night from the field in a 140-129 loss to the Canton Charge.

Smith made one out of just five 3-point attempts in 44 minutes against Canton but went 16-of-20 at the free-throw line and and scored 32 of his points on layups.

The young guard, 24, credited his aggressive playing style that night for breaking the record.

“I tried to get in the lane,” said Smith, who rounded out his efforts with six rebounds, four assists and two steals. “The last game (against Canton), I think I had about 18 assists, and I didn’t play that whole third quarter because of foul trouble, so the lane was going to be open. I read the scouting report. The big guys were so worried about the lob that I just floated in, and I kept getting layups.”

Jordan McRae, a former Tennessee player, set the previous record of 61 in January, also with the 87ers.

Smith’s first big moment on the court came even before this, when the former All-American helped lead the Louisville Cardinals to the 2013 national title under coach Rick Pitino.

Smith was a second-round pick of the 76ers in the 2014 draft. The 6-foot-guard has spent the past two years in the NBA, and played 15 games for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before being waived in December.

Caption: WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: Ramon Sessions #7 of the Washington Wizards dribbles past Russ Smith #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at Verizon Center on March 12, 2015 in Washington, DC.

Article by Pablo Mena