The Virginia women’s team basketball team bookended the weekend with another commitment from the transfer portal on Sunday. LSU forward Sa’Myah Smith made the call for the Cavaliers just two days after NC State forward Caitlin Weimar announced her decision to join the program.
Smith announced her UVA commitment on social media.
Smith started 28 of 36 games this past season for LSU where she played nearly 1,500 minutes (1,486) over three seasons. As a freshman in 2022-2023, she averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.06 blocks per game en route to a spot on the 2023 SEC All-Freshman team. She played 10 minutes in the NCAA Championship Game as the Tigers won the title.
Her sophomore season ended early when she tore an ACL just seven games into the campaign. As a redshirt sophomore this past season, Smith averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. The 6’2” forward led the Tigers with 51 total blocked shots on the season.
This past season included five double-doubles, two of which came during the NCAA Tournament. Both of those came against programs from the ACC, the conference that’s now her home. Smith poured in 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 101-71 win against Florida State. She followed that up with 21 points and 11 rebounds against NC State. The 21 points tied a career high, while the 6 assists against FSU set a new career best mark.
Smith initially joined LSU out of DeSoto High School in Texas where she was ranked as the No. 1 player in the Dallas area and the No. 57 player in the country by ESPN. Her high school team won back-to-back state titles with her earning the 2021 Texas Class 6A State Championship Game MVP honors.
Smith is the third player to join the Cavaliers during this portal cycle. In addition to Weimar from NC State (with previous stops at Boston and Marist), Central Florida’s Adeang Ring committed to Virginia as well. All three players to transfer to UVA so far in this cycle are 6’2” or taller with length. Smith, at 6’2”, is the third tallest of the group behind Ring at 6’5” and Weimar at 6’4”. With Latasha Lattimore (6’4”), Edessa Noyan (6’3”), and Hawa Doumbouya (6’7”) leaving the Hoos via the transfer portal and Taylor Lauterbach (6’7”) completing her eligibility, this provides replacement height across the board.
A video featuring Smith can be seen in this YouTube video.
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