The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2013 basketball recruiting issue When she was little, the fam- teammates that had a special bond. ily moved from the Detroit area to I think we left a big impact on her. North Carolina, where she grew up a She made great friends, and I think Tar Heel. When it was time to make she's refreshed. She has a whole new a college decision, she picked her outlook on the future. dream school — North Carolina. "She's excited about Michigan. Unfortunately, Smith's experience She's ready to work. A year ago, she at the school wasn't ideal. She strug- was wondering if she still wanted to gled as a freshman, coming down play, and now she couldn't be hapwith a case of mononucleosis that pier to put those shoes on and get sidelined her for much of the 2011 to work. She's happy and passionseason and various injuries that held ate again. She found her love for the her back in 2012. game." Through her hardships, the 5-7 Smith flourished at Trinity Valley, Smith wasn't sure if she still loved scoring 15.8 points per game. And the game of basketball — and she as the season went on, she continued certainly wanted a change of scenery. to improve. She scored 14 points in When Barnes Arico hired assistant the National Junior College Athletic coach Chester Nichols, who had re- Association National Championship cruited Smith when he was on West (an 83-71 Trinity Valley win), sealing Virginia's staff, the Smith family tournament MVP honors. She was a called Ann Arbor. first-team Junior College All-Ameri"Her parents said, 'We want her can and Trinity Valley's Female Athto come play for you,'" Barnes Arico lete of the Year. said. "But we didn't have any schol"I got my rhythm back," Smith arships available at the time. I didn't said. "I struggled my sophomore want her to transfer anywhere else, year at North Carolina and coming and she probably could have gone into Trinity Valley, but my confidence anywhere she wanted to play." got better and better as the year proSo Michigan and the Smiths came gressed. It's very exciting. It's always up with a plan: Smith would spend good to come off something exciting. the 2013 season in tiny Athens, Texas, It gives me even more confidence playing at Trinity Valley Community coming into Michigan." College. After her time at North Carolina, "When her dad dropped her off, Smith wanted to make sure she was he didn't know is she wanted to play making the right decision this time basketball anymore," Trinity Valley around. In Michigan, she found excoach Elena Lovato said. "Coming actly what she was looking for. from a big university to a small"They want to win, and they don't town junior college, it's a big adjust- care if you're a freshman or a sement. She persevered in her first two nior — it doesn't matter," she said. months, and she found a group of "They will work with you on and off