CAREER/COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

Katie Smith has established herself as a prominent figure in women's basketball, both as a player and a coach. With a distinguished coaching career in the WNBA that began in 2014, she pivoted to a collegiate platform and icurrently serves as the Assistant Head Coach at The Ohio State University, where her expertise and leadership continue to guide the team toward success.

Katie was the Associate Head Coach for the Minnesota Lynx from 2020-2024, where she helped the team achieve a stellar record and become more competitive. Katie also had an impressive coaching tenure with the New York Liberty. She joined the Liberty staff in 2014, where she initially served as an assistant to head coach Bill Laimbeer. Over time, she rose through the ranks, becoming the team's head coach in October 2017, making her the seventh head coach in franchise history. Under Smith's guidance, the Liberty achieved an overall regular-season record of 81-55 and made the playoffs three consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2017.

Before transitioning to coaching, Katie had a legendary playing career spanning 15 seasons in the WNBA, retiring in 2013 after a year with the New York Liberty. At the peak of her career, she was recognized as one of the top athletes in the sport, retiring as the all-time scoring leader in women's professional basketball history with 7,885 career points. In the WNBA, she ranks second with 6,452 points and holds impressive records for three-point field goals made (906) and attempted (2,466), as well as free throws made (1,440) and assists (1,258).

Katie's accolades include two WNBA Championships (2006, 2008) with the Detroit Shock, where she played under Bill Laimbeer, as well as recognition as a seven-time WNBA All-Star. She also helped lead the Minnesota Lynx  to two play-off appearances in 2020 and 2021.  Her contributions to the game extend to international competition, where she is a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, having represented Team USA in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Katie Smith's legacy continues to influence the sport, as she is celebrated not only as one of the greatest players in WNBA history but also as a fierce and knowledgeable coach dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes.