Russ Smith breaks NBA D-League single-game scoring record with 65 points

Russ Smith, one of the NBA Development League’s top prospects, broke the league’s single-game scoring record Wednesday night.

Smith scored 65 points on 24-fo-42 from the field in the Delaware 87ers’ 140-129 loss against the Canton Charge. Smith’s scoring outburst broke Jordan McRae’s record of 61 points set in January, according to ESPN.

Much of Smith’s total came from the free throw line where he was 16-of-20. He only hit one three-pointer on five attempts. According to a graphic from ESPN Stats & Info, Smith scored 32 points on layups.

"I tried to get in the lane," Smith said after the game. "The last game, 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.”

He tacked on six rebounds, four assists and two steals onto his record-setting performance.

Smith has spent most of his career in the NBA D-League. He was drafted out of Louisville by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, but has played in the NBA for both the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies.

He played in 15 games for the Grizzlies this season, but only averaged 1.5 points and 0.7 assists in 66 minutes.