University Southern California Trojans
USC Women's Basketball Signs Top Recruits
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
April 16, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Guards Ayeshia Smith from Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kan., and guard Lauren Smith-Hams from Pinewoood High School in Palo Alto, Calif., signed letters of intent with USC, women's basketball head coach Chris Gobrecht announced today.
"These players are two top-notch guards," said Gobrecht. "We feel very fortunate to bring these quality players and people to this program. We really felt like we needed to address shooting and ball handling with the loss of our guards from last season and we feel that these players will help take care of that."
The 5-5 Smith, was a pre-season All-American and earned All-Conference and All-Region honors. She was selected as the Jayhawk Conference Most Valuable Player. For the second consecutive year her team finished as the Jayhawk Conference champions. Smith averaged 16 points and five assists this past season. She is the third all-time leading scorer at Cowley County C. C. with 962 points in her two years.
"Ayeshia is a true point guard," said Gobrecht. "She can knock down the three-point shot, she is a terrific ball-handler and she distributes the ball very well."
The 5-7 Smith-Hams, was a four-year first team All-League selection , including twice being named Most Valuable Player (1996 and 1999). She was named Division 5 Player of the Year in 1999, averaging 22.1 points, 4 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 7.3 assists per game and made 100 three-point shots. Smith-Hams is Pinewood's career leader in scoring, assists and steals.
"Lauren is an excellent three-point shooter," said Gobrecht. "She has very good fundamentals, is a good with passing and has a greater understanding of the game." said Gobrecht.
Smith-Hams is the daughter of Steve Hams, one of the original founders of the defunct American Basketball League.
