Manitoba's Abby Smith from Dakota Collegiate has been named as part of the University of British Columbia Okanagan's 2020-21 recruiting class. The 6'2" forward Abby Smith from Winnipeg is the lone forward in this year's recruiting class, and will look to bolster the front line that has Kelsey Falk and Jaeli Ibbetson around for their sophomore campaigns. Smith comes to the Heat with plenty of club and provincial team experience under her belt, a member of Team Manitoba for four seasons before spending the past year with the Junior Bisons Basketball Club this past season. The forward will enter the nursing program at UBCO, and she talked about how great it was to be able to study to become a nurse while playing university sport was one of the main deciding factors in her recruitment.
Smith on her commitment:
"I chose UBCO because I had the option of direct entry into the nursing program, and for basketball, I felt like I fit in with the team and with the coaching style. I am so excited to be attending UBC Okanagan next year because I am beginning a fresh start in my life. It will help me grow as an individual and learn many new things and take on new challenges."
Heat coach Bobby Mitchell on Abby Smith:
"Abby is versatile forward who can bring the ball up, hit and outside shot, and post you up. She will have an impact at both ends as she is a shot blocker and secures rebounds. Watching her play for Team Manitoba I saw this right away, a blocked shot on one end followed by a score on the other. Abby really fits the style we want to play, and she comes in with loads of basketball experience."
2019 TEAM MANITOBA PROFILE
TEAM17U Female
POSITION
Forward
FIRST NAME
Abby
LAST NAME
Smith
PRESENT AGE
16
CITY/TOWN
Winnipeg
PRESENT GRADE
Grade 11
YEARS IN BASKETBALL
10 years
SCHOOL PRESENTLY ATTENDING
Dakota Collegiate
SCHOOL ATTENDING THIS FALL
Dakota Collegiate
BASKETBALL CLUB NAME
Centre For Performance
FAVOURITE PLAYER & TEAM
Pascal Siakam - Toronto Raptors
SUMMER GOALS
To win gold at nationals
BASKETBALL ASPIRATIONS
to play post-secondary basketball
FONDEST MEMORY IN BASKETBALL
Winning SCAC finals this year
BIGGEST BASKETBALL INFLUENCE
Eric Sung
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Attend college or university
WHEN BASKETBALL CAREER IS OVER
work in the medical field
Source: http://goheat.ca/sports/wbkb/2019-20/releases/20200622v2bmyi