Jenna Smith

Jenna Smith (born July 25, 1988)^[1] is an American former professional basketball center. She was drafted in the second round of the 2010 WNBA draft by the Washington Mystics, having previously played college basketball for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini where she earned First team All-Big Ten honors in 2008, 2009 and 2010.^[2] In 2016, she was named assistant coach of the Indiana State Sycamores women's basketball team.^[3]

Playing career

By the end of her Illinois career in 2010, Smith was the all-time leader in points (2,160), rebounds (1,217), blocks (231) and double-doubles (53). As of 2021, she remains the career points, rebounds and double-double leader, and ranks third in career blocks. Other Illinois records for which she is still ranked number one include career field goals attempted (1,639), consecutive games scoring in double figures (54, from February 28, 2008 – January 14, 2010), single season rebounds (387 in 2009–2010), and single game free throw percentage (13–13 on November 25, 2007).^[4]

Illinois statistics

Source^[5]

College

2009-10

July 30: The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), on behalf of the Wade Coalition, announced the 2009–2010 preseason "Wade Watch" list for The State Farm Wade Trophy Division I Player of the Year. University of Illinois senior Jenna Smith is one of 25 named to the list,^[6] which is made up of top NCAA Division I student-athletes who best embody the spirit of Lily Margaret Wade. This is based on the following criteria: game and season statistics, leadership, character, effect on their team and overall playing ability.

2008-09

In her junior year, she played and started in all 31 games and was third in the Big Ten in scoring (18.5 ppg) and blocked shots (2.0) and sixth in rebounding (8.6).

Led the conference and ranked fourth in the nation in minutes per game (38.7)
Has scored in double-figures in 39 consecutive games, the fifth-longest streak in the nation at the end of 2008–09, and in 67 of the last 68 games overall
Set the Illinois career blocks record on March 1 against Minnesota^[7]
Had 10 double-doubles on the season, including eight in conference play to rank second in the Big Ten *Led the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (3.39) and minutes played (39. 44) in conference play
Named to the 50-player Naismith Award Watch List
Selected to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, averaging 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in Illinois' two games
Surpassed the 1,000 point milestone in season opener at IPFW, scoring 29 points
Passed the 1,500 point milestone in the Big Ten Tournament, becoming just the third Illini to reach that total in less than three seasons
Led the Illini to an upset win over Indiana on Jan. 25 with 24 points (9-of-14 shooting) 15 rebounds and three blocks ^[8]
Had a double-double of 18 points and a season-best 18 rebounds against Iowa on Jan. 15 ^[9]
Averaged 20.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in the Illini's three games in the Cancun Caribbean Challenge Nov. 26–28, scoring 19 points against Montana,^[10] 22 against South Dakota State and 21 against Maryland^[11]

2007-08

Had 59 blocked shots on the year to break the 25-year-old Illinois single-season blocks record of 57
Ended the year ranked second on the UI single-season rebounding list (329)
Earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Tournament Team after averaging 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while carrying the Illini to the championship game
Led the Big Ten with 16 double-doubles on the season
Finished the season ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.3) and rebounding (9.4), she was one of only eight players in the nation to average at least 18.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game
She held a streak of 28 straight games in double digits that was snapped on Feb. 24 vs. Michigan^[12]
Set a new school record by hitting 13-of-13 from the free throw line against Providence on Nov. 25^[13]
Scored a career-high 32 points on Nov. 18^[14] vs. Southern Illinois University, the most by an Illini since 2001

2006-07

Played in 30 games, starting 22 at center
Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection
Led all Big Ten freshmen in rebounding for both all games (7.8) and conference games (8.5)
Led the Big Ten Conference in offensive rebounding in conference games (3.60)
Grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds at Indiana on Feb. 18, which was the second-highest single-game rebounding total in the Big Ten in 2006–07
Ranked third among Big Ten freshmen in scoring (11.1)
Led Big Ten freshmen in FT percentage (.767) and ranked second among league rookies in FG percentage (.514) and blocks (1.30) in all games

High school

Was the 69th-ranked senior in the class of 2006 by Blue Star Report and was listed as the No. 24 center in the class by All-Star Girls Report
Named Minnesota's Ms. Basketball and Associated Press Player of the Year after leading Kennedy to a 30–2 record and runner-up finish in the Class 4A State Tournament as a senior
Also named Minneapolis Star-Tribune Metro Player of the Year
Averaged 20.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 3.3 steals per game and also shot 55 percent from the field, 47 percent from the three-point line and 74 percent from the free throw line for the Eagles
As a junior in 2004–05, led Kennedy to the Class 4A State Championship with a 28–2 record
Named first team All-State, All-Metro and All-Lake Conference as a junior and senior
Holds the Minnesota career record for blocked shots

Professional

WNBA

Smith was drafted in the second round, 14th overall, by the Washington Mystics in the 2010 WNBA draft.^[15] She was waived by the Mystics in late April 2010, due to a knee injury that prevented her from competing during training camp.^[16] She later signed with the Indiana Fever on a training camp contract.^[17]

International

Smith has played professional basketball in 13 countries.^[18] As of 2023, she continues to play in Southern France.^[19]

Awards and records

Named Minnesota Ms. Basketball in her senior year at Kennedy High School (2006)^[20]
Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American (2007–08)
Broke the Illinois freshman rebounding record (233) and tied the frosh blocked shots record along with fellow freshman Lacey Simpson (39)
Holds Illinois single-season blocks record with 63 (2008–09)
MVP of the 2007 FIU Thanksgiving Classic after leading Illinois to the tournament title
Named Illinois Most Valuable Player (2008–09)
Named first team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media for the second consecutive year (2008–09)
Named first team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media (2007–08)
Named the team's MVP and Most Inspiriational Player and also won the Ralf Woods Free Throw Excellence Award at the postseason awards banquet
Three-time Big Ten Player of the Week in 2007–08, the first Illini to earn the honor three times in one season since 1985–86
Inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020^[2]
Her Illinois jersey was honored by being raised to the rafters of State Farm Center in February 2023^[18]^[19]

References

^ IlliniHQ (July 23, 2011). "Happy birthday, Jenna Smith". The News-Gazette. Champaign, Illinois. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
^ a b "Jenna Smith". fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
^ Hunt, Ace (September 19, 2016). "Jenna Smith named Indiana State Women's Basketball Assistant Coach". gosycamores.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
^ "2021-22 Fighting Illini Women's Basketball Record Book" (PDF). fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. November 8, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
^ "2020-2021 Record Book" (PDF). fightingillini.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
^ "Jenna Smith Named To Wade Trophy Watch List". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. July 30, 2009. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Illini Top Gophers in Finale as Smith Sets Blocks Record". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. March 1, 2009. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Smith Leads Illinois to Upset of First-Place Hoosiers". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. January 25, 2009. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Big Games By Smith and Simpson Not Enough Against Hawkeyes". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Illini Fall at the Buzzer in Caribbean Challenge Opener". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. November 26, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Fighting Illini Fall to No. 10 Maryland in Caribbean Challenge Finale". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. November 28, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Fighting Illini Drop Heartbreaker at the Hall". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. February 24, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Smith Leads Illini to FIU Thanksgiving Classic Title". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. November 25, 2007. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Smith's Career Day Leads Illini Past Salukis". Fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Athletics. November 18, 2007. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
^ "Jenna Smith selected by Washington Mystics in WNBA Draft". The Daily Illini. April 8, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
^ "Jenna Smith waived". The News-Gazette. Champaign, Illinois. May 4, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
^ "Fever Signs Erlana Larkins and Jenna Smith". wnba.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
^ a b Janes, Jackson (February 8, 2023). "Smith, Polk McCloud 'Honored' By Jersey Unveilings at State Farm Center". fightingillini.com. University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ a b Blount, Conor (February 5, 2023). "Illinois women's basketball earns season sweep of Minnesota". The Daily Illini. Champaign, Illinois. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ Bleill, Tony (January 19, 2007). "Smith serves up sweet revenge". The News-Gazette. Champaign, Illinois. p. B6.

External links

2020 Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame video
Video of Smith and 12 other Illinois alumni athletes playing virtual catch during COVID-19 lockdown