The "sky's the limit" for basketball family prodigy Andie Smith

Olympian Alanna Smith believes her younger sister, Andie, could surpass her as the 17-year-old takes her first steps into the professional ranks. 

Recently signed with the Tasmania Jewels, the 6’4”, rising talent will train with the club’s inaugural squad before departing for the US college system.

Daughter of 200-game NBL veteran Darren Smith and sister to WNBA star Alanna, the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence prospect and Tasmanian representative, Andie continues a strong basketball lineage.

“She’s really versatile, she’s got great IQ, timing and really good hands around the rim,” Alanna Smith said. 

“Andie’s probably a little further along than what I was [at her age], she’s got a way better foundation than I did. The sky’s the limit… It's scary for everyone else.” 

With Championship coach Claudia Brassard leading the club in their first season, the Townsville legend she believes Andie is only scratching the surface - a true diamond in the rough

“Players with that combination of size and skill are hard to find, and she’s only just scratching the surface of what she can become,” Brassard said.

Smith flashed her potential in her season debut in NBL1, scoring nine points with seven rebounds against Pernith – following it up with two points and eight rebounds against Bankstown. 

The emerging forward will face a significant step up in competition over the winter, coming up against established WNBL talent including Opal Lauren Nicholson, three-time conference MVP Nicole Munger and recent Champion Chantel Horvat. 

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