University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Adds Olivia Smith To 2016 Recruiting Class
May 4, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Smith, a Raleigh, North Carolina native, was a four-year starter at Cardinal Gibbons High School for head coach Jessica Lowe. She compiled career totals of 1,709 points, 736 rebounds, 288 steals and 136 assists.
“We are excited that Olivia will be joining our 2016 class,” said head coach Sylvia Hatchell. “Having someone with Olivia's basketball IQ, work ethic and personality as well as being an exceptional student fits right in with our team. Olivia had offers from Harvard, Yale and other Ivy league schools and we are happy that she will be an ambassador for our great University.”
The Cardinal Gibbons all-time leading scorer was a USA TODAY North Carolina first team selection as a senior. Smith was the Big 8 Conference Player of the Year as a junior, and during her final two seasons as team captain she earned all-district honors.
Off the court, Smith is an AP Scholar with Distinction that is also affiliated with the National Honor Society, and will graduate among the top-5 percent of her class.
“Carolina is unlike any other university,” said Smith. “My three older sisters chose UNC and I have seen their Tar Heel pride and joy day-in and day-out. When I step on campus I feel an energy and excitement that is unmatched anywhere else.”
“It's a place I've dreamed of attending and now I'm lucky enough to have the chance to play basketball at the school I've grown up watching.”
Smith joins a recruiting class ranked No. 13 in the nation according to ESPN.
