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WATCH: Liberty Head Coach Katie Smith enters the Hall of Fame

By Erica Ayala

KNOXVILLE, TN-Katie Smith chats about the history of the women's game ahead of her induction. Credit: Erica L. Ayala/High Post Hoops
KNOXVILLE, TN-Katie Smith chats about the history of the women's game ahead of her induction. Credit: Erica L. Ayala/High Post Hoops /
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WHITE PLAINS, NY – JUNE 7: Katie Smith of the New York Liberty looks on before the game against the Connecticut Sun on June 7, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WHITE PLAINS, NY – JUNE 7: Katie Smith of the New York Liberty looks on before the game against the Connecticut Sun on June 7, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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After a heartbreaking loss to the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night, Katie Smith set aside her game notes for a different set notes; her Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame speech.

Smith departed early Friday morning from LaGuardia and by 4:00 p.m was chatting with us ahead of her induction the next day. We spoke with the Liberty head coach about when she found out she made the Hall, reflecting on the history of the women’s game, and who was on hand to celebrate with her.

Over the weekend, Smith enjoyed reflecting on her career and enjoying time with family and friends. However, Indiana-not Tennessee-was at the top of her mind.  She was focused on her next game against Pokey Chatman and the Fever.

Saturday night, she joked that unlike some of her fellow inductees, she would ready directly from her script, lest she spout the Fever scouting report instead of ‘thank yous’.

In our interview, Smith discussed the uncertainty of the game. Trades happen. Teams fold. On Saturday, she again noted the ups and downs of the game.  Smith shared she learned the American Basketball League (ABL) folded when a reporter called her for a quote.

Even today, Smith deals with the changes and uncertainty of the game. She accepted the head coaching job with the Liberty just before ownership announced it was looking to sell the franchise.

Related Story: New York Liberty relocating to Westchester, Dolan owner for now

After an entire offseason of uncertainty, Smith and the Liberty found out they would play in the Westchester County Center, a venue roughly 27 miles away from its former home and unable to accommodate its average attendance (9,889 fans).

After the Induction

Yet, just as she has in a 17-year professional career, spanning two leagues and seven teams, Smith persists.  After a short two-days in Knoxville, Smith returned to the sideline with the Liberty. The team is struggling to string wins together.

“We’re right there,” said Smith after Thursday’s loss. “We’re a good basketball team. We have to execute and be disciplined in moments, run our offense, and get what we want … and be disciplined on the other end.”

Again, Smith persisted and led her team to its third win of the season. “It just never felt easy,” said Smith postgame. “I thought our squad had a lot of contribution off the bench which gave us a spark and probably put us over the top.”

The Liberty are 3-4 and will host the Las Vegas Aces (1-7) Wednesday before hitting the road to face Minnesota (3-6) Saturday. Smith won’t have any interruption to her games notes for the rest of the summer.

Although, if the Liberty make a deep run in the 2018 Playoffs, preparing scouting notes might interfere with her preparation for her Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Speech.

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