Bria Smith says...Louisville!

CARDINAL COUPLE SPECIAL REPORT 5/11/11

Photo by Charlie Springer - UofL Card Game

Christ the King High School (NY) senior guard Bria Smith announced today at a 1 p.m. press conference that she has decided to attend LOUISVILLE.  Smith was the highest ranked uncommitted player left in the Class of 2011.

Calling the second recruiting go-round "hectic" Smith stated:

"Especially the last week, it was crazy. Having a lot of support from everybody helps. My coaches and family were with me every step...so it wasn't just me by myself."

Louisville 1 - UT 0.

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We are pleased with the Bria Smith's decision to attend Louisville. It is obvious to us, over the last several weeks that family means a lot to her and in choosing Louisville, it gives her the opportunity to play several games a year near her hometown, family and friends. BIG EAST schools Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John's, Villanova, Providence, Connecticut and Georgetown are all within a couple hours drive or less from Massapequa, NY....her hometown. A lot closer than Baton Rouge, Gainesville, Knoxville or Fayetteville...schools she would have been visiting on SEC road trips if she had chosen Tennessee.

Louisville had been one of Smith's final choices the first time around in her recruiting. Smith chose Virginia, largely on the basis that Debbie Ryan was the head coach. To hear Smith tell it, when Ryan retired...things changed.

"I am a believer that things happen for a purpose and I just really wanted to play for Coach Ryan. When she left, it was like all my feelings about playing for Virginia left as well."

Despite heralded coach Joanne Boyle leaving California to take over the Cavaliers women's basketball program, it wasn't enough to get Virginia back on the top of the list.

One also has to wonder how significant the announcement that Samantha Williams was taking the assistant coaching job at Louisville played into the decision. Williams was a top notch recruiter at Duke and Duke had a lot of interest in Smith before she narrowed her list down to eventually Louisville, Tennessee and Virginia the first time around. Also, it doesn't hurt that Williams is the leading career 3-point field goal holder at Auburn, where she played her college ball. She just might know a thing or two about working with guards...

The announcement gives Louisville a backcourt for 2011-12 that looks very promising. Returnees Shoni Schimmel, Charmaine Tay, Tia Gibbs, Becky Burke and Shelby Harper will join incoming freshmen Smith, Jude Schimmel and Esther Monny Niamke in the backcourt battles. Also returning is leading scorer...wing Monique Reid and freshman Sara Hammond will compete for time on the Cards front line.

Smith was a four year starter at Christ the King and averaged 21.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists her senior year. She was a McDonald's All-American and has been invited to the U19 USA Basketball trials...where she'll get to compete with current UofL standout Shoni Schimmel. Smith was a member of the USA team which won the goal medals at the FIBA U17 World Championships.

Louisville has mystified and stumped the "so called" experts out there again...who figured she was Tennessee's to lose. And lose her they did...to the top class university by the banks of the Ohio in the
best college sports town in America. Welcome to the " Ville", Bria! And hats off to Jeff Walz and his staff
for making many a Lady Cards fan out there wishes turn into a beautiful reality.
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Possibility City?  Indeed, sir.
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