Oak Lake’s Heidi Smith capped her university basketball career in style.
In her third and final season, the daughter of Wendy and Francis Smith led the Nipissing University women’s basketball team on and off the court. She was named the Lakers’ Co-MVP while helping the squad adapt to a new coaching staff.
“Heidi gave our young team an anchoring sense of maturity and experience,” Nipissing University head coach Katie Hamilton said. “Going through a transition in coaching staffs is always difficult and Heidi really led the way with helping to establish a new culture and making the transition as smooth as possible for everyone.”
Smith, a veteran guard, led the Lakers with 7.1 points per game and 1.6 assists per contest. She also averaged 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Smith shot 27.1 per cent from the three-point line and 90 per cent on free throws.
Makes them pay
“Her ability to shoot the ball is second to none,” Hamilton said. “She really extends the defence and makes them pay on late rotations.”
Smith spent her first post-secondary season as a Redshirt with the perennially strong University of Saskatchewan program. She then established herself as a player and leader for the Lakers.
“Heidi really leads by example, especially when it comes to her compete mode,” Hamilton said. “She wants to win every possession of every practice and every game. With a young team, this was extremely important for them to see and try to understand. She really helped our young athletes through the ups and downs and process of what is a very long season. I know we have some athletes that really look up to her and will greatly miss her presence next season.”
Smith enjoyed her time suiting up for Nipissing University.
Final season
“The thing that I'm going to miss most about playing for the Lakers is definitely my teammates and great friends I've made along the way.”
Smith excelled in the classroom. She was named a U Sports Academic All-Canadian. Smith graduated in June with a bachelor of physical and health education with distinction degree.
“Though student life is busy, basketball has always been a part of my life, and I could not have imagined going to school without it,” she said. “It's easy to be busy if you love what you're doing.”
Smith is interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy.
“I am interested in this field as maintaining independence, physical activity and activities of daily living are very important through recovery processes and as we age,” she said. “I have always had an interest in helping people improve themselves and reach their goals. Occupational therapy gives meaningful opportunity to impact someone’s life in many ways.
“A family accident also impacted my decision in going into this field. It helped me realize the importance of maintaining independence and being comfortable in whatever situation a client may be in.”
No matter where she has played, Smith has had the strong backing of her family.
“My family's support is unconditional,” she said. “My parents followed my basketball career by watching every game online and they came out to North Bay twice this past year (once for my senior game and once for our season opener).
“Now that basketball is done for me, their support has not stopped. They are always right behind me in whatever I am chasing.”
