Amber Smith leaves Kentucky Women's Basketball staff for Indiana

It’s been a busy offseason for Kentucky Women’s Basketball, and today, the Cats lost an integral piece to a rival. Amber Smith, a former Kentucky player turned assistant coach, is leaving the program to join Teri Moren’s staff at Indiana. The Hoosiers announced the news this morning.

“I am thrilled that Amber is joining us in Bloomington,” Moren said in a press release. “Amber is passionate, high energy, excellent at building relationships and is the ultimate competitor that will fit in perfectly to our culture. We are excited that she has decided to become a part of our Hoosier family.”

Kentucky confirmed the news with a graphic on social media featuring quotes from Smith and head coach Kyra Elzy.

“Amber has given 12 years of her career to the University of Kentucky, five as a player and seven on our staff, and I have cherished each and every moment,” Elzy wrote. “In that time, BBN and I have watched her grow from a scrappy, fan favorite that helped us coin ’40 minutes of dread,’ into a contagious, insightful, and inspiring coach. We are supportive of her as she has the opportunity to gain new and diverse experiences. I have total confidence that she will have a long and successful career.”

“Thanks for the decade of love and support, BBN, including the amazing fan base, my former teammates, coaches, players, and staff,” Smith said. “Lexington was a special place to call home! My journey there has equipped me to be able to take the next step in my career, as I continue my pursuit of growing the game of college women’s basketball!”

Thank you, Amber. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/etsO0Zi8v4

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) June 12, 2023

Smith played for Kentucky from 2008-11 and ranks sixth all-time in program history in assists and eighth all-time in assists per game. She helped the Cats advance to four consecutive postseason tournaments, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. She returned to Lexington in 2016 and spent two years as the director of player development. In May 2018, Smith was promoted to assistant coach and was instrumental in the development of Kentucky’s guards including the overall 2022 No. 1 WNBA draft pick in 12-time All-American and two-time SEC Player of the Year Rhyne Howard.

There has been plenty of turnover within Kentucky WBB this offseason. Three Wildcats graduated and/or exhausted their eligibility (Blair Green, Robyn Benton, Adebola Adeyeye), and three more transferred to other schools (Jada Walker to Baylor, Tionna Herron to Texas, and Kennedy Cambridge to Ohio State). Three freshmen will join the fold: four-star guard Jordy Griggs, forward Janae Walker, and Tennessee transfer and former Miss Kentucky Basketball winner Brooklynn Miles.

There are new names on the staff as well. In May, director of player development Daniel Boice left to take the same position at Florida after seven seasons on staff. He has since been replaced by Liz Brown. Elzy has also added Jenny Huth as the new associate coach of player development, and Jodi Ansert as the new basketball recruiting assistant. Niya Butts and Jen Hoover are still on staff as assistants, as is Gail Goestenkors, special assistant to the head coach.

Now, there’s another vacancy to fill.