Kyle Williams

@kwill_cj

Less than a month removed from his first NBA exit, former Louisville basketball star Russ Smith is well on his way to a return.

The 24 year old, who was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 28 and acquired by the NBA Development League’s Deleware 87ers on Jan. 13, is averaging 29.3 points, four assists and four rebounds in three games since joining the team.

Smith netted 37 points on 50-percent shooting in his debut with the 87ers, hitting four of his eight three-point attempts and all five of his free throws. He added six rebounds and four steals.

A second-round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Smith appeared in 27 career games with the New Orleans Pelicans and the Grizzlies over two seasons. He posted 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 26 games on assignment last season for the D-League’s Iowa Energy and Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

A panel of NBA experts and NBADLeague.com editors ranked Smith No. 7 on the site’s weekly prospect watch. Ex-Cardinal Earl Clark, also a member of the 87ers, came in at No. 11, totaling 19.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in 23 games this season.

UK’s Andrew Harrison, a member of the Energy, is listed at No. 24. The guard averages 17.3 points, 5.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game.