Texas Tech Lady Raiders Sign Kiki Smith

Purdue transfer brings scoring punch and leadership to Lubbock

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:05pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with sharp geometric shapes in crimson, blue, and yellow overlapping to create a dynamic, energetic visual representation of the sport.The Texas Tech Lady Raiders' new addition of scoring dynamo Kiki Smith will bring a fresh geometric energy to the team's fast-paced style of play.Lubbock Today

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders have signed Kiki Smith, a transfer from Purdue University, announced head coach Krista Gerlich on Saturday. Smith, a skilled scorer and efficient three-point shooter, will look to elevate the Lady Raiders' performance with her proven track record of double-digit scoring in the SEC and Big Ten.

Why it matters

The addition of Kiki Smith is a major boost for the Texas Tech Lady Raiders as they aim to build on their recent success and compete for a conference title. Smith's scoring ability, three-point shooting, and leadership will be valuable assets as the team looks to take the next step.

The details

In her junior season at Purdue last year, Smith averaged 10.7 points per game and shot 39.9% from the field, including 49 made three-pointers. She also contributed 65 assists, 36 steals, and 68 rebounds. Prior to Purdue, Smith had a standout sophomore season at Arkansas, where she finished second on the team in scoring at 10.2 points per game and shot 40.6% from three-point range, ranking second in the SEC. Before that, Smith was named the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year and a First Team All-American while at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, where she led the team to a perfect 37-0 record and the national championship.

  • In the 2024-25 season, Smith played for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
  • Last season (2025-26), Smith played for Purdue University.
  • On April 18, 2026, Texas Tech head coach Krista Gerlich announced the signing of Kiki Smith.

The players

Kiki Smith

A skilled scorer and efficient three-point shooter who has proven herself as a double-figure scorer in the SEC and Big Ten. She will look to elevate the Texas Tech Lady Raiders' performance with her leadership and scoring ability.

Krista Gerlich

The head coach of the Texas Tech Lady Raiders, who announced the signing of Kiki Smith on Saturday.

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What they’re saying

“We have loved Kiki Smith over her career because of her scorer's mentality. She has a quick release and efficient three-point shot but is also very capable of getting downhill and finishing at the rim or finding teammates with her passing ability.”

— Krista Gerlich, Head Coach, Texas Tech Lady Raiders

What’s next

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders will look to integrate Kiki Smith into their system and have her make an immediate impact as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The addition of Kiki Smith, a proven scorer and efficient three-point shooter, is a significant boost for the Texas Tech Lady Raiders as they aim to build on their recent success and compete for a conference title. Her scoring ability, leadership, and experience will be valuable assets for the team.