Shayla Smith joins Temple as a ‘better player and person’ after a trying year at Penn State

Shayla Smith spent much of her high school basketball career proving she could score against anyone.

At Universal Audenried Charter, she became Philadelphia’s all-time scoring leader in girls’ and boys’ basketball and helped the Rockets win three consecutive Public League championships. But after leaving Philadelphia for Penn State, Smith discovered that success at the college level wouldn’t come as easily.

The guard averaged 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in a limited role as a freshman. Now, Smith is back home, preparing for her sophomore season at Temple, which opens its season at George Mason on Monday night, with a different perspective on basketball.

“I think it changed my view of the game a little bit, because now I understand that everything’s not all about talent,” Smith said. “It’s also how you can fit in a system and play with other good players.”

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Leaving Philadelphia was initially part of the appeal for Smith. She believed Penn State and the Big Ten would expose her to play with top notch talent.

Audenried coach Kevin Slaughter and assistant coach Marcellus Boone recognized her competitiveness earlier on.

The two recalled Smith questioned whether Audenried’s schedule provided enough challenges and asked to face tougher schools. The coaching staff began scheduling games against skilled programs, including Westtown School.

Her work ethic was equally demanding.

Slaughter recalled Smith arriving late to a gathering with friends because she stayed at the gym lifting weights and shooting. Even after completing scheduled workouts, Smith sometimes asked to continue.

“She always put basketball first, always,” Slaughter said.

At Penn State, however, Smith struggled to find consistent playing time despite having some promising performances, including 13 points and nine rebounds against South Carolina.

Her former coaches questioned how Penn State utilized her, but Smith described the experience as frustrating yet ultimately beneficial.

“It was an experience that I needed to become a better player and person,” Smith said.

When opportunities weren’t available, Smith found ways to remain engaged.

“The only thing I could do was clap for my teammates when they got theirs,” she said.

After Penn State parted ways with coach Carolyn Kieger in March, Smith entered the transfer portal. Temple quickly emerged as an option, although the program’s interest was nothing new.

» READ MORE: Audenried record-holder Shayla Smith transfers home to Temple from Penn State

Temple coach Diane Richardson recruited Smith in high school.

“She’s a baller,” Richardson said. “We watched her [in high school], loved her intensity, loved the way she played.”

Smith enjoyed attending Temple games while she was being recruited, but she initially wanted to experience life outside Philadelphia.

After a year away, her priorities changed.

“When I went through the experience that I went through, I felt like I needed to be home,” Smith said.

Richardson has embraced Smith’s return, even giving her the nickname “Hometown Hero.”

Temple’s fast-paced offense also offers a natural fit for Smith’s scoring ability, but Richardson wants Smith to recognize that she can contribute without carrying the entire offense.

“You don’t have to prove yourself on every single possession,” Richardson said about Smith. “We know how you play. We already know that.”

Instead, Richardson has encouraged Smith to play freely, recover quickly from mistakes, and contribute in other areas.

Temple guard Tristen Taylor has already noticed that adjustment.

“I think she’s gotten better with balancing, knowing when to score, when to pass it, and just being a great teammate all around,” Taylor said.

That development reflects something Boone has emphasized throughout Smith’s career.

“Shayla will become a more complete player when she learns to be dominant without scoring,” Boone said.

» READ MORE: Shayla Smith is adjusting to college basketball at Penn State after record-setting high school career

Smith understands that challenge.

“They definitely told me that I’m more than scoring,” Smith said. “I can do more than score, and I have other players around me that can also score. We can play off of each other.”

Returning home also means Smith’s family and friends can watch her play in the area again. Her primary goals, though, are winning and developing.

And if she could go back and change one decision, she wouldn’t hesitate.

“Go to Temple.”