was solely 14, just some video games into her freshman season at Etiwanda Excessive, when she first crossed paths on the court docket with , who performed at Harvard-Westlake. 4 years later, with each at , Iriafen nonetheless vividly remembers her first impression.
“I didn’t like her,” Iriafen stated, with fun. “She was a pest.”
The 2 get alongside nice now, as top-line starters for top-seeded USC, which is about to start its NCAA match run with a Saturday afternoon matchup . What made Smith insufferable on the court docket then, it seems, has made her an irreplaceable a part of a Trojan lineup that now has critical Remaining 4 aspirations.
“The whole lot you see from her this 12 months, she’s all the time been like that,” Iriafen stated. “She’s fearless.”
That recreation towards Iriafen, as a freshman, stands out in ’ thoughts specifically. That was when the Etiwanda coach first noticed that there was one thing completely different about Smith. Up towards one of many high gamers in Southern California, the 14-year previous Smith solely ratcheted up her depth, blanketing Iriafen each time she touched the ball and blocking a number of pictures from the a lot taller senior ahead.
“Kennedy went at her — you’ll have swore she was 7-feet tall,” Delus stated. “She wasn’t afraid of the second. And since then, the second has by no means been too large.”
USC is relying on that to be the case within the coming weeks because the stakes proceed to ratchet up this March. With opposing groups positive to focus their consideration on Iriafen and , the Trojans want others of their rotation to rise to the event in key moments in the event that they hope to make the deep run they know they’re able to.
Doing so inevitably means relying, in a giant approach, on freshmen with none match expertise, comparable to Smith. She’s not the one one with a crucial complementary function, both — freshman guards Avery Howell and have additionally emerged as staples within the Trojans’ younger lineup, averaging 20 and 17 minutes per recreation, respectively, after coming in because the No. 1 recruiting class within the nation final fall.
All three have introduced a sure fearlessness to the court docket as freshmen, whether or not it’s Howell confidently pulling the set off from deep or Heckel knifing by means of the lane. None of them, nevertheless, have been examined on a stage comparable to the NCAA match, and since final Sunday’s announcement, loads of prognosticators have pointed to USC’s relative inexperience as purpose to doubt the Trojans.
However Smith was raised, from a younger age, to climate that type of crucible on the court docket. She sharpened her abilities by enjoying within the yard alongside her older brother, R.J., who now performs at Colorado, and his male associates, none of whom would let up on her account. On journey groups, she all the time performed up not less than two age ranges.
“I by no means needed anybody to take it straightforward,” Smith stated. “I needed to show myself that I might sustain.”
The impression of that basketball upbringing solely turned extra clear to Delus as Smith grew as a participant. She excelled, from the beginning, as an on-ball defender. However she performed primarily within the submit as a freshman. As years went on, she prolonged that defensive prowess to the perimeter and her vary to the three-point line.
Alongside the way in which, she helped elevate Etiwanda to consecutive state titles in her junior and senior seasons, averaging over 20 factors per recreation. As a junior, she personally shut down Watkins in her remaining recreation at Sierra Canyon, holding her to an uncharacteristic 16-point evening. It was one other event wherein the second by no means appeared too large.
“There has all the time been a giant, vibrant mild on me and my crew,” Smith stated.
This season has been no completely different, as Smith arrived because the crown jewel of the Trojans’ high recruiting class and instantly stepped into the beginning lineup. However the place Smith began her highschool profession as the first choice on offense, she’s needed to carve out extra of a complementary function alongside Watkins and Iriafen, who each dominate the ball.
She’s made settling in look seamless as a freshman. A lot in order that her monthlong damage absence in November and December was, in accordance with , a significant purpose the Trojans have been derailed of their . Final month, after , Buckeyes coach Kevin McGuff declared Smith “the unsung hero for this crew.”
However Smith, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, has been onerous on herself this season, nonetheless. Nevermind that she’s third on the crew in scoring (9.5 factors), whereas rising as probably the greatest on-ball defenders within the Large Ten — all as a freshman.
It’s simply in her nature, her teammates say.
“She expects greatness out of herself,” guard Talia von Oelhoffen stated. “That’s what makes her who she is, what makes her so good.”
And for USC, firstly of a potential match run, its fearless freshman is a part of why the Remaining 4 feels inside attain.
“She’s an enormous a part of our potential to make a future now,” Gottlieb stated. “However much more so, I feel she’s going to be an issue for everybody else within the nation for a number of years.
“As a result of we expect she’s that good.”
