May 23, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Jamie Smith has signed a national letter of intent to play for the UNLV women's basketball team starting in the fall of 2008-09, head coach Kathy Olivier announced on Friday. Smith is the first player to be signed by Olivier since she took over as head coach in April.

Smith, a 6-0 guard/forward from Kailua, Hawaii, was named the 2007-08 Gatorade Player of the Year for the Aloha State, after leading Iolani High School to a state championship runner-up finish last season. She averaged 19.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.4 assists per game, and was named Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year, while also earning first team all-state and first team ILH honors.

Smith was a member of the 2007-08 class of the Nissan Hall of Fame, which recognizes 12 athletes, male and female, in the state of Hawaii for their excellence in academics and athletics. During the summer of 2007, she played AAU basketball for Team Hawaii, which played in a Goodwill Tournament in Japan, and also was a member of Hawaii Select.

"Jamie had a great high school career and we are excited to have her join our team for next season," said Olivier. "She was a very good player and being named Gatorade Player of the Year shows that she's more than just a very talented player, but also a great student. Jamie is a bright player who is team oriented and will take advantage of her opponent's weaknesses."

Smith is the second recruit that will be joining UNLV in the fall. The Lady Rebels also signed Brittani Smith, a 6-3 center from Coweta, Okla., back in November during the early signing period.