Player Spotlight: Cierra Smith
In most basketball circles you hear phrases like ‘Those types of players come a dime a dozen’. Meaning that the player or players in question are not doing anything to set themselves apart from the rest. The Grandview Lady Bulldogs…
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Continue ReadingIn most basketball circles you hear phrases like ‘Those types of players come a dime a dozen’. Meaning that the player or players in question are not doing anything to set themselves apart from the rest. The Grandview Lady Bulldogs have a player that is already changing that stereotype.
Cierra Smith is a 5’7 combo guard in the loaded 2022 guard class. As a freshman for the lady bulldogs, Cierra lead her team with 18.6 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 4.4 steals. All while shooting 46% from the field and 33% from three. A gifted scorer with elite handles to get to the basket. An Elite level finisher at the rim, Cierra plays well in the open floor. Cierra has a solid jump shot both the three-point line and mid-range.
Photo by Pamela Costello/NBAE via Getty ImagesHer ability to create for herself and for her teammates makes Cierra a tough guard for opposing teams. Using her speed and quickness on defense allows Cierra to be a solid on-ball defender. She gets out in the passing lanes off the ball, showing her high basketball IQ. A natural leader that always finds a way to ‘stuff the stat sheet’ every game.
Cierra plays hard game in and game out. She is a solid on-ball defender. When playing off the ball on defense, Cierra shows her IQ on the defensive end by making great reads and anticipating passes that lead to easy transition baskets for her team. A versatile player that can guard positions one through three. Her mental and physical toughness helps drive her on and off-court success.
Cierra takes pride in her academics. Selected to the Principals Honor roll and ranking 18 out of a class of 333 demonstrates that she is more than just an athlete.
Photo courtesy Nyree D SmithThe Class 4 1st team All-conference, 1st team All-District, as well as team MVP, Cierra plays her AAU ball with Della Lamb Running Angels Gold. Her elite-level skill set fits well on the AAU circuit. She also was a member of the Midwest squad that won the 2018 Jr NBA World Championship. Cierra holds college interest from Wichita st., UCM, UMKC, Missouri Western St., Missouri St., and Missouri Southern.
As we close in on the start of tryouts for most schools next week in the KC metro area. Cierra will be looking to continue to not only improve her game but establish herself as the area’s top-level guards.