Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Women's Basketball Lands Transfer Shayla Smith
5.1.26 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - Temple women's basketball head coach Diane Richardson announced the signing of Penn. State transfer Shayla Smith today.Â
Shayla Smith made an immediate impact in her freshman season, highlighted by a 12-point outing on 5-of-6 shooting against Arizona State and a career-high 13 points in her first start at South Carolina, where she also led the team with nine rebounds. She opened her collegiate career with six points, three rebounds, and an assist against Bucknell and continued to produce steady, all-around performances throughout the year.
Smith consistently filled the stat sheet, contributing key efforts like seven rebounds and eight points against UCLA, and a versatile performance at Iowa with five rebounds, four assists, four points, and two steals. She added strong rebounding games against Michigan and Richmond, along with multiple multi-category efforts, showcasing her versatility and steady presence.
A standout at Universal Audenried Charter, Smith averaged double figures in all four seasons, including a career-best 27.5 points per game as a senior. She finished her high school career with 2,666 points and averaged 23.8 points and 10.7 rebounds overall, becoming the fastest player in her league to reach 1,000 career points, surpassing a mark previously held by Dawn Staley.
She led her team to two league championships and a district title while earning three First Team All-State honors and four First Team All-City selections. Smith also competed in the 2025 Philly All-American Game and starred on the 16U Philly Rise EYBL Championship team, earning First Team 16U Nike EYBL honors in 2023.
Shayla Smith made an immediate impact in her freshman season, highlighted by a 12-point outing on 5-of-6 shooting against Arizona State and a career-high 13 points in her first start at South Carolina, where she also led the team with nine rebounds. She opened her collegiate career with six points, three rebounds, and an assist against Bucknell and continued to produce steady, all-around performances throughout the year.
Smith consistently filled the stat sheet, contributing key efforts like seven rebounds and eight points against UCLA, and a versatile performance at Iowa with five rebounds, four assists, four points, and two steals. She added strong rebounding games against Michigan and Richmond, along with multiple multi-category efforts, showcasing her versatility and steady presence.
A standout at Universal Audenried Charter, Smith averaged double figures in all four seasons, including a career-best 27.5 points per game as a senior. She finished her high school career with 2,666 points and averaged 23.8 points and 10.7 rebounds overall, becoming the fastest player in her league to reach 1,000 career points, surpassing a mark previously held by Dawn Staley.
She led her team to two league championships and a district title while earning three First Team All-State honors and four First Team All-City selections. Smith also competed in the 2025 Philly All-American Game and starred on the 16U Philly Rise EYBL Championship team, earning First Team 16U Nike EYBL honors in 2023.
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