(Editor's note: DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE - Rashaan Smith, a 6'3" post player, from Auckland Northshore, New Zealand has signed her NJCAA National Letter of Intent to play for Dawson Community College, women's head basketball coach Romeo Lagmay Jr. announce.
"I'm so excited to continue my basketball dream of playing in the US, securing a spot at a really good school," said Northshore. "I'm super excited opening up a new chapter in my life. It's exciting to attend an institution like Dawson that has a high academic success rate. It's basically what I need to be challenged to get better academic marks. But overall, I am just so excited and nervous about playing the sport I love in a country I have never been to, learning about the culture."
"We were super excited to hear that Rashaan wanted to come to Dawson," said Lagmay. "She has educational and basketball goals, and wants to learn lots in those areas. Rashaan is going to be a great asset to our program and in the community. She has such an outgoing personality that warms the heart. Her presence in the paint is something we are all looking forward to. Her ability to score and defend down low is impressive. Definitely a great way to start off the recruiting process for next season!"
Smith graduated from Birkenhead College where she was U16's basketball MVP for the school and was awarded Sports Woman of the Year. In 2017, she helped lead Birkenhead to a Secondary School Championship where she garnered another MVP accolade. She ended her high school career in 2019 as the Basketball Player of the Year for Birkenhead College.
Smith also played for Harbour Basketball, one of the largest and most successful basketball Associations in New Zealand, helping the U16 team and the U17 teams to National Championships in 2016 and 2017. Smith also won a National Championship with Harbour's U19 basketball team in 2019.
Smith represented New Zealand at the U16's State Championships in Australia in 2016, and she attended the Steven Adams High School Invitational Camp. Smith also participated in the Samoa Cup in which basketball teams from Samoa, Australia and New Zealand come together for a 3-day tournament. In 2019 her team earned Runners Up honors.
"She has been a part of multiple national teams and championship teams and will bring experience and a competitive mindset," Lagmay said.
Smith plans to major in Education to teach middle school after she graduates from college.
