My buddy in Nashville just sent me a link to this. This player seems like a good get. However, I have to wonder why she transferred. I'm guessing Belmont is just as far away from home for her as Vanderbilt. It can't be because of grades, since both are private schools (she couldn't get into one after bombing in the other). Since she played in all 31 games for Vanderbilt, surely it's not for lack of playing time. Who knows? Nonetheless, congrats on the transfer!




Women's Basketball Adds Kylee Smith

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University women's basketball head coach Cameron Newbauer announced Wednesday the addition of incoming transfer student-athlete Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.).

"Our coaching staff could not be more excited that Kylee has chosen to join our program," Belmont University women's basketball head coach Cameron Newbauer said. "Kylee has a tremendous skill set and gained meaningful experience this past year playing against high level competition. She has a wonderful disposition and team-first attitude, and we fully anticipate her enriching our program on and off the court."

Smith, a 5-11 guard, joins the Bruin program after spending the 2013-14 season at Vanderbilt University. She appeared in all 31 games for the Commodores – including five starts - averaging 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game on 50 percent shooting from the field.

Smith recorded seven double figure scoring games, including a career-high 17 points vs. UNC Asheville (12/21/13).

A native of Alpharetta, Ga., Smith prepped at Alpharetta High where she was a McDonald's All-America nominee and a two-time GHSA Region 6 Player of the Year. Also a four-time All-Region and three-time All-State selection, Smith graduated from AHS ranked 10th all-time in scoring with 2,175 points. Smith played AAU for Peak Performance under coach Andrew Jackson.

Smith joins Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.), Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala.) and Katelin Bundy (Lexington, Ky.) in Belmont's incoming class.

The schools are so close together that distance is not an issue. It's funny, Belmont sits almost in the middle of Lipscomb and Vandy. It is 2.1 miles from the Curb to Allen Arena at Lipscomb and 1.5 miles to Memorial Gym at Vandy.

Sometimes it is just the culture or personality differences that cause some players to leave one program for another. I hear from time to time that players for the local colleges end up playing pick up ball during the summer and get to know one another. It's hard to say what happened, but you are right. This looks to be a nice pick up. In the last few years, we got transfers from Vandy, MTSU (who usually has a top notch women's program), and Oklahoma.

The ladies went to the OVC finals with a first year coach, so I expect them to have a pretty good year this coming year.

How is Ezell doing there at ETSU?

Thanks for the info. I was a big fan of Coach Ezell, but I think we may have found someone very special in Coach Cam. Good luck to you guys and thanks again!

(05-27-2014 07:23 AM)Bruin2002 Wrote:  How is Ezell doing there at ETSU?

We like her. She did some good things this year, although injuries did plague the team. By the end of the season, our two best players weren't even dressed out. She's got some good recruits and the injuries will heal over summer, so I'm looking for the Bucs to have a good 2014-15 season in our new conference (SoCon). Here's a nice video that I posted on our ETSU board:





Next season, Coach Ezell is moving our home games into the historic Brooks Gym here on campus. The Dome is having the roof replaced. The men's team more than likely will play at the city venue, Freedom Hall.