June 17, 2013. Appalachian State University women’s basketball head coach Darcie Vincent announced the addition of former UT Martin forward Ashley Bassett-Smith (Pickerington, Ohio/Pinkerington North) to the Mountaineer Lineup on Monday.
“We couldn’t be happier with the addition of Ashley to our program,” said Vincent.
“We are very familiar with Ashley’s skills and abilities as we recruited her out of high school. Even though we had to wait a year to have her as a member of our program, she is worth the wait. She is quite an impressive young lady and will utilize her red shirt year to grow as a player, a student and a leader.”
Bassett-Smith will sit out the 2013-14 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, but will have two years of eligibility remaining after appearing in 20 games for the Skyhawks in her freshman debut.
During her time at UT Martin, Bassett-Smith posted a season-high four points in four contests against Northwestern, Arkansas State, Hawaii and Murray State, while setting career-highs in rebounds and blocks with five and three, respectively, against Austin Peay.
As a freshman, Bassett-Smith averaged 5.1 minutes and 1.2 points per game, while tallying 8 blocks on the season, including back to back three0block games against Murray State and Austin Peay.
Prepped at Pickerington North High School in Pickerington, Ohio, Bassett Smith averaged 11.5 points, nine rebounds, and 5.6 blocks per game as a junior, while shooting a 56 percent from the floor and 89 percent at the charity strip. In addition to a 2010 USJN Premier Invitational All Star team selection, Bassett-Smith earned an All-Ohio State Honorable Mention Division One selection.
A former two-star prospect, as ranked by ESPN, Bassett-Smith also considered Appalachian State, Yale, Pennsylvannia, Furman and Army before signing with UT Martin.
According to Vincent, “Ashley fits the mold of an App State player as she embraces challenges and the opportunity to grow as a person. We have made ourselves a stronger team in 2014 moving into the Sun Belt with Ms. Ashley Bassett-Smith.
Bassett-Smith will join a women’s basketball squad that returns eight players from last year’s roster that advanced to the semifinals of the SoCon Tournaent and earned a WNIT bid.