IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
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Ashton Smith ranks among the finest backcourt players ever produced by IUP’s nationally renowned basketball program, acclaimed as a top-notch scorer and distributor of the ball.
Smith ranks sixth in school history with 1,635 career points and is third in assists (456) and 10th in steals (138). He started at point guard for teams that won more than 100 games and raised IUP’s national profile under coach Joe Lombardi.
As a sophomore in 2010, Smith helped the Crimson Hawks reach the NCAA Division II championship game for the first time. IUP lost to Cal Poly Pomona, but the Hawks took solace in the fact that they had posted a 33-3 record—a school record for victories—and won the PSAC West title and the PSAC and Atlantic Region tournaments.
IUP compiled a 104-23 record during Smith’s four seasons in uniform, won two PSAC titles and earned four NCAA tournament berths. The native of Oakville, Ontario, was a two-time All-PSAC first-team selection and was named the PSAC West Player of the Year as a senior, when he averaged a team-high 18.4 points per game. Smith also earned all-region and first-team National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II All-America honors that year, and capped his career by participating in the NABC-Reese’s Division II all-star game at Northern Kentucky University.
Smith played professionally for teams in Canada, Colombia, Austria, Romania, Germany and Indonesia before embarking on a coaching career. He served as an assistant for two teams that won league championships: The Hamilton Honeybadgers claimed the Canadian Elite Basketball League title in 2022 and the London Lions reigned as British Basketball League champs in 2023, becoming the first British club to qualify for the EuroCup playoffs. He is currently a player development coach for the NBA Atlanta Hawks.
Smith majored in communications media at IUP. He resides in Atlanta with his wife, Falan Arnold-Smith, and their children, Kairo, 4, and infant Kalina.
Personal Reflection:
Being an inductee into the IUP Hall of Fame is a humbling and deeply gratifying experience. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to those who have supported me throughout my journey.
First and foremost, I want to thank my family. They have been my unwavering pillars of strength, believing in me when I doubted myself and celebrating every victory, big or small. Their love and encouragement have been the foundation upon which I built my career.
I am forever indebted to my coaches and teammates. Basketball is a team sport, and every achievement I've earned is a testament to the collaboration, sacrifice and dedication of those who have played alongside me and guided me along the way. Their mentorship and camaraderie have shaped me into the man I am today.
To the fans, your passion and unwavering support have been the driving force behind every dribble, every shot and every win. Thank you IUP, the entire institution, uniting people of diverse backgrounds and cultures through sport, arts and education. You provided me with the platform to showcase my skills and compete at the highest level. Your commitment to the sport and its development has taken our program to great heights.
I want to recognize all the individuals who have paved the way for me and for our basketball program as a whole. From the trailblazers of the early years to the legends who have set records and broken barriers, your contributions have shaped the history and evolution of Crimson Hawks basketball.
This honor is not just mine, it belongs to all who have been a part of my journey. It represents the countless hours of hard work, the sacrifices made and the dreams fulfilled. This is a representation of resilience, perseverance and the unwavering belief that with dedication and passion, anything is possible. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for this incredible honor. I am truly blessed and privileged to be a part of the IUP Hall of Fame.
—A.Smith #30
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