Watch: Hornets' Nick Smith Jr. breaks ankles at Summer League

Brandon Miller made the All-Rookie team last season, but a different second-year Hornet is impressing at the NBA Summer League.

Nick Smith Jr. scored 24 points and showed off a big collection of moves in Charlotte’s 94-90 victory over the New York Knicks Saturday in Las Vegas.

Smith was one of the top college basketball recruits in 2022 before knee injuries derailed his lone season at Arkansas. Last season, he shot 43.2 percent from three-point range and averaged 5.6 points for Charlotte, but he looks primed for a bigger role in his sophomore campaign.

Saturday, he shot 9-for-17 overall and 4-for-9 from deep, adding five rebounds and four assists.

Miller had 23 points and hit 5-of-10 from distance, but you expect a No. 2 overall pick playing in his second Summer League should be dominant. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Charlotte sat Miller for the rest of the Vegas games. What detracted from his effort was that Miller made seven turnovers, one of which gave the Knicks a chance to win in the final seconds.

But Obi Toppin’s brother Jacob missed an alley-oop in the final seconds and the Hornets escaped with the win.

New York got seven points and seven assists from Tyler Kolek, whose relentless and sweaty efforts made him look like an ideal Tom Thibodeau player, especially when he drew a charge. The second-round pick out of Marquette didn’t turn the ball over in 29 minutes and could see substantial minutes as Jalen Brunson’s backup next season.

Smith was the standout. Charlotte isn’t likely to compete for a playoff spot next season, but with Smith, Miller and a returning LaMelo Ball, they should certainly score points. Even the raw Tidjane Salaun, this year’s No. 6 pick, showed flashes off being an effective slasher and finisher.

There’s no All-Sophomore team in the NBA. But if there was, the now-healthy Smith would be a serious candidate for it.