Utah Tech University Athletics

At Bellarmine (2025-26): Ranked first on team in scoring among qualifiers at 10.1 points per game … led team in 3-pointers made (56) and assists (52), and averaged 3.3 rebounds per game … appeared in 30 games with 24 starts and scored in double figures in each of her final eight games … averaged 11.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in ASUN conference play … led or co-led the team in scoring six times and scored in double figures 18 times, including six 15-plus point outings … poured in a season-high 22 points against North Alabama (2/18) … drained a season-high six 3-pointers while tallying 19 points against Stetson on (2/7) … tallied 14 points with four made 3-pointers against Morehead State (11/7) … earned ASUN Honor Roll academic honors.

At Utah State (2024-25): Appeared in 17 games with one start and averaged 1.1 points in 8.9 minutes per game … made her first career start against New Mexico … scored a season-high nine points on 3-of-6 from the perimeter against San Diego State … posted a season-high three rebounds vs. Utah and a season-high three assists against New Mexico.

Before College: Earned four varsity basketball letters at Union High School in Washington … scored over 1,000 points in her prep career … was a three-time team captain and a four-time all-league honoree, including earning first-team accolades for three-straight years … also garnered all-Region honors three times … averaged 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game during her senior season and helped lead the Titans to a school record 19 victories (19-5) 19-5, setting a school record for most wins in a season.

Club Basketball: Played club basketball for one of the nation's premier AAU programs, Tree of Hope EYBL … helped lead her squad win the AAU National Championship in 2023 … was one of just three players from the state of Washington named as a McDonald's All-American nominee, joining two of her AAU teammates. 

More on Ava: Born in Spokane, Washington … parents are Matt and Patricia Smith … father Matt played college football at Central Washington … aspires to play basketball professionally … favorite sports moments were playing middle school club basketball against Kobe Bryant’s Mamba club team and against his daughter Gigi, and her team was the last team to play Mamba before Kobe and Gigi passed away … favorite team is the Portland Trail Blazers … favorite player is LeBron James … favorite singer is Drake … favorite movie is “Hunger Games” … favorite food is tacos … currently majoring in exercise science.
 
Why Ava chose Utah Tech: “I chose Utah Tech because I really connected with the coaching staff and felt like it was a place where I could grow as both a basketball player and a person. The campus and St. George’s beautiful scenery and outdoor lifestyle made it feel like the perfect place to call home.”