Prospect Spotlight: Halle Smith (2021)
Belle’s 2021 Halle Smith is putting together a big season for the Tigers and has established herself as one of Missouri’s top small school performers. A 6’0 forward, Smith is a versatile performer who can bring the ball down the…
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Continue ReadingBelle’s 2021 Halle Smith is putting together a big season for the Tigers and has established herself as one of Missouri’s top small school performers.
A 6’0 forward, Smith is a versatile performer who can bring the ball down the court, post up and can knock down open shots. She says she has spent a lot of time working on her outside shooting and has gained confidence in her ability to connect from the outside and has added range well beyond the arc.
“This summer I’ve worked a lot on perfecting my shot and I am a pretty confident shooter and can step out and knock down a three,” she said.
A year ago Belle went 21-6 overall, rebounding from a tough season the year before. The Lady Tigers made the semifinals of the district tournament and Smith led the way, averaging 18 points and nine rebounds per game.
This season Belle has faced injuries and some adversity and lost three of its starting five — all guards — but have put together some good moments as the program builds for the future.
“We are new and fresh, and I have expectations of this being a huge rebuilding year for our program,” Smith said. “We have some young girls and I look forward to helping with them. My goal is to really get them involved and making them better. I am also wanting to expand my game more. With us not having a true point guard I will have to handle the ball more so bettering my ball handling skills is a really big thing for me.”
Smith spent last offseason running with the Missouri Phenom for the first time and says the experience helped her grow as a player.
“I absolutely loved it and I have grown a lot as a player and individual during my time playing with them so far,” she says. “Playing against elite players numerous times a week in workouts helped me tremendously and challenged me which is what I want and need.”
Smith says the biggest influence on her basketball career has been an older brother Skylar. Halle says she grew up attending his games at Belle.
“Growing up I was always watching his games or playing 1-v-1 with him,” Smith said. “It always motivated me and helped me become a really competitive player.”
A fan of the Lakers LeBron James, Smith says she appreciates his all-around game.
“Being 6-foot, it’s important for me to be able to play more than one position beings that in college I’m not tall enough to be a true post player so I need to be able to handle the ball as well and Lebron has set a good example for players like me who have numerous duties on the court,” Smith said. “I also really love watching Sophie Cunningham. I watched her play all throughout college and I keep up with her games professionally. She also is a player who plays a really diverse game and watching her helps me see what I need to do to be successful.”
Smith holds an offer from the University of Missouri S&T and Southeast Missouri State University and has been on unofficial visits to St. Louis University, Illinois State University and Maryville University.