Kennedy Smith Stays In California, Inks NLI With USC Women’s Basketball
November 14, 2023 | Women's Basketball
The state’s top recruit will join the Women of Troy in 2024-25.
USC women's basketball has scored a five-star addition in California's top talent, Kennedy Smith, who signed a letter of intent today (Nov. 14) to join Lindsay Gottlieb's Women of Troy. The 6-1 wing hails from Etiwanda High School and stands as the No. 6 recruit in the nation as she turns to a career as a Trojan.
"Kennedy has the full package: defensive tenacity, offensive skill, size, athleticism. But what sets her apart further is her competitive drive," Gottlieb said of Smith. "She is a winner. With the ability to play and defend multiple positions, she is going to be an electric player in the Galen Center. Kennedy's decision to stay home will have a lasting impact on our program, and is really significant as we take steps to become a national power in women's basketball."
An all-state first-teamer as a junior, Smith was also selected to the 2023 Los Angeles Times All-Star Team and was a Nike EYBL Champion with CalSparks. She has helped Etiwanda to a 2023 Open Division State Championship and the 2022 Southern Section title.
"The two players we have added to our '24 class today are both incredibly bright and accomplished students, fun-loving people and gifted athletes who care about winning at a very high level. I am so grateful they have joined the Women of Troy family," Gottlieb said. "I credit our coaching and support staff for continuing the find the very best student-athletes, and helping to create an environment in which our players can thrive on and off the court."
"Kennedy has the full package: defensive tenacity, offensive skill, size, athleticism. But what sets her apart further is her competitive drive," Gottlieb said of Smith. "She is a winner. With the ability to play and defend multiple positions, she is going to be an electric player in the Galen Center. Kennedy's decision to stay home will have a lasting impact on our program, and is really significant as we take steps to become a national power in women's basketball."
An all-state first-teamer as a junior, Smith was also selected to the 2023 Los Angeles Times All-Star Team and was a Nike EYBL Champion with CalSparks. She has helped Etiwanda to a 2023 Open Division State Championship and the 2022 Southern Section title.
Also named the 2023 Press Enterprise Inland Empire Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Smith joins a talented group of incoming freshmen who have signed on to join the Trojans for 2024-25. She accompanies teammates-to-be Rian Forestier (San Antonio, Texas), Avery Howell (Boise, Idaho) and Laura Williams (Fairfax, Va.), who signed on Nov. 8, and New York native Kayleigh Heckel, who also signed on with the Women of Troy today.The No. 1 ranked recruit in California is 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄.
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) November 14, 2023
Welcome to the family, @k3nnedynicole! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/r1d0NoMEzX
"The two players we have added to our '24 class today are both incredibly bright and accomplished students, fun-loving people and gifted athletes who care about winning at a very high level. I am so grateful they have joined the Women of Troy family," Gottlieb said. "I credit our coaching and support staff for continuing the find the very best student-athletes, and helping to create an environment in which our players can thrive on and off the court."
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