Basketball

Women In Sports: Q&A with New York Liberty Assistant Coach, Katie Smith

by
Jason Cordner
March 16, 2016

Katie Smith enters her third season as an assistant coach with New York Liberty. A 13-year veteran of the WNBA, Smith was a seven-time All-Star and two-time first team, All-WNBA Selection. Smith won two WNBA Championships “2006 and 2008” with the Detroit Shock. In 2011, Katie Smith was voted one of the top 15 players in WNBA history.

Had a chance recently to catch up with Katie for our Women In Sports Interview Series, and here is what she had to say.

Katie Smith instructs players from the bench, alongside Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer. (MSG Photo Services)

DoubleGSports: When did you know you wanted a career in sports?

Katie Smith: When I was playing overseas, I knew I was a good player and then when the WNBA was formed, that’s when I knew, I could make a career out of basketball.

DGS: Being a woman in sports, have you come across any specific challenges or discouragements?

KS: None whatsoever. Never one to believe in roadblocks.

DGS: Who do you look to for inspiration in the sports world?

KS: Everyone had a hand in terms of inspiration. The family laid the foundation followed by friends and former teammates.

DGS: How do you feel about the current status of women in sports? What can improve?

KS: Couldn’t be prouder of today’s female athletics as a whole. From track to soccer to basketball, women sports rock. Look at the WNBA for example. These women are doing things I couldn’t imagine doing during my playing days. Wouldn’t improve much because everything about women’s sports is trending up.

DGS: When your career in sports is over, what do you hope people remember you by?

KS: She always overachieved as a player. She was the slow white kid that people underestimated, and she proved everyone wrong. She was an amazing teammate, coach and friend.

DGS: What do you miss the most from your playing days?

KS: I miss practice believe it or not. Also, miss warm-up and competition.

DGS: What do you do for fun outside of your sports career?

KS: Connecting with family and friends in Ohio. Love relaxing with my dogs and on quiet nights, just watching Netflix.

Katie Smith during her playing days with the New York Liberty. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

DGS: What is your pre-game snack?

KS: Regular protein bar. Nothing spectacular.

DGS: Do you have a lucky article of clothing or other superstition?

KS: No, don’t believe in superstition. I believe in hard work and creating your own luck.

DGS: How was playing for Bill Laimbeer and now working as his assistant coach?

KS: Love working with Bill. He is a very smart and passionate man. I’ve learned so much playing for him, it made the transition to coaching even that much easier for me.

DGS: Warm up playlist. What music gets you ready for a game?

KS: R&B and Hip Hop. My teammates and players keep me up to date. I’m a huge Drake fan.

DGS: What can we expect from the Liberty this season?

KS: Another exciting season. A defensive grind out team with a lot of effort!!.

DGS: Professionally speaking – which is the most important accomplishment for you? Being a 2-time WNBA Champion, being a WNBA Finals MVP, or being named to the All-Decade WNBA team?

KS: It would be the two WNBA Championship teams and a close second would be the All-Decade team. I had been in the WNBA for seven seasons when I finally won a championship. As you get older you understand how limited your opportunities are to get the finals and win a championship. The mental and physical demands it takes to be that consistent for those years was such a challenge but so rewarding!

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