Former Alice Lloyd Eagle Blake Smith Signs Professional Basketball Contract in Europe

Pippa Passes, KY:  A former roundball star from Alice Lloyd College has just signed a contract to play professional basketball next season in Europe.

Blake Smith, a four-year member of the ALC Eagles, will continue his hoops career next season overseas. The 6’3 athletic guard has signed a professional contract to play in Limerick, Ireland for the Limerick City Celtics. He is scheduled to report to the squad in September.

While attending Alice Lloyd, the native of Manchester, Ky. had an exceptional career. In 2020, he was selected by the NAIA as a DII Third Team All-American and was also voted First Team All-Conference by the NAIA River States Conference for the second consecutive year.

Smith also led the Eagles to the school’s first-ever NCCAA Mideast Region Championship title, which earned his club a berth in the NCCAA DI National Tournament. Furthermore, he was selected by that organization as a First Team All-American selection. This makes the second consecutive year the guard received that honor.

Smith finished this year averaging 26.3 ppg while connecting on 46.6 % from the floor and 37.1% from long distance. He also sank 76.8% from the free-throw line. Additionally, he added 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and finished first on the club in steals, and second in blocks.

This season alone, the smooth guard scored 30 or more points on eleven different occasions and registered at least 40 points twice. His rebound and assist game-highs were both 10.

Smith, concluded his illustrious career as the second all-time leading scorer in school history, with 2,304 points. He graduated in May with a degree in Kinesiology.