August 21, 2007
Former Bosse standout transfers to USI
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Former Bosse High School standout VaNita Smart (Evansville, Indiana) is transferring to play for the University of Southern Indiana women's basketball in 2007-08, as announced by USI Head Coach Rick Stein.
Smart, a versatile 5'9" guard who has three years of eligibility remaining, spent her freshman year at Indiana University where she saw action in 23 games in 2006-07. She averaged 1.6 points and 6.5 minutes per game, including a season-high 17 minutes against Purdue University and nine points against Indiana University/Purdue University-Ft. Wayne.
A two-time first-team All-Conference performer, Smart owns a spot in BHS's 1,000-point club after leading the team in scoring for four straight seasons. She tallied a career-high 34 points during her senior season and was a first-team All-Metro player as a junior and senior.
"We are excited to have VaNita coming back home to go to school and play for our program," Stein said. "She brings experience from the Big 10 Conference and the ability to play either guard position."
Smart joins 6'2" junior forward/center Ninette Evans (Memphis, Tennessee), 5'8" junior guard Brittany Darden (Guthrie, Kentucky), 5'9" junior guard Carly Clendenen (Anderson, Indiana), and 6'2"freshman forward/center Leigha Thompson (Teutopolis, Illinois) on Stein's list of spring/summer signings.
USI's early signees include 5'10" freshman guard Lauren Meneghetti (Munster, Indiana), 5'6" freshman guard Amie Newhart (Mulberry, Indiana), and 6'0" freshman forward/center Courtney Perry (Crown Point, Indiana). Both Meneghetti and Newhart were invited to Hoosier Basketball Magazine's 2007 Top 40 Senior Workout.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
