Mizzou Women's Basketball head coach Robin Pingeton plans to get immediate contributions from the freshmen that she has recruited to play for her this season. It's a challenge that newcomer Amber Smith [Shreveport, La.] looks forward to, determined to help her team succeed in any way she can during her first season in Columbia.
"My goal here is to make sure that I make everyone around me happy, making sure I'm succeeding in my parts, holding up my end," Smith said. "That way I can make this team successful. I want to have a balanced, all-around game. I want to be the most versatile player that a team could ever wish for… I want to be that person that can play multiple positions, where I can fill in where I'm needed."
Smith describes herself as a "post guard", a player adept at both gritty play down low and driving from the perimeter in hopes of finding open shots for her teammates. She's managed to impress Coach Pingeton so far not only because of the player that she could become over her four years at Mizzou, but also because of what she could bring to the table as a freshman.
"She makes some moves on the court that get you really excited," Pingeton said. "She's got a chance to really make a big impact as a freshman in the SEC, which is exciting."
Smith was a four-year captain for Loyola College Prep during a run that also saw her earn four All-State selections, making the First Team twice. Leaving Loyola with a District MVP award and the school single-game scoring record (41), she opted for a college career away from home.
"I felt like if I got outside of my comfort zone I would succeed better, mainly because I'll possibly be on my own," Smith said. "My parents are farther away, and I depend on my coaches. The relationship I have with the coaches is above any other coach I've had, really. I can connect with them heart to heart, mind to mind. They'll get into me, but still they have that love for me at the end of the day, so it's a relationship like they're family."
It is important for any freshman to receive support from the leadership on their new team, not only from coaches but from teammates as well. The team chemistry has been a high point for Smith thus far in her career at Mizzou, where she trusts the players that will take the court with her to assist her in becoming the best player that she can be.
"The leadership is very impactful with the fifth-year seniors, Lindsey [Cunningham] and [Lianna] Doty," Smith said. "They come in and make sure we're on top. Same thing with Cierra [Porter]. Even the underclassmen, as you would call them, they make sure we're on the right path. They make sure we know what we need to know and what we want to know. They make sure we've got everything we need. They make sure that we're giving our all and they tell us what Coach [Pingeton] expects and make sure we're reaching that goal."
Though she describes Smith as being traditionally undersized for the role, Coach Pingeton thinks that the freshman from Louisiana will be able to utilize her skills and toughness to succeed at the three-spot or the four when she takes the court for Mizzou. Described by her coach as an explosive player, Smith sees high-effort play and wide-ranging contributions as keys on her path to success at Mizzou.
"I can contribute with my rebounding in the post," Smith said. "I'm a post and a guard, so I can contribute some nice drives and kicks to make the defense help and leave our shooters open. Also, I can give a lot of energy and uplifting motivation to our team."
Smith's career as an SEC student-athlete will begin with a November 1st exhibition showdown against Central Missouri. Admission is free for all fans. From there on out, Smith will have the chance to become a key part of the Mizzou program's ongoing ascension. It's an opportunity that she'll embrace.