St. John the Baptist's Smith commits to Illinois

St. John the Baptist senior Alexis Smith committed to Illinois for women's basketball on Monday night. Smith also considered South Carolina, George Washington and Middle Tennessee State.

Smith, a 5-9 point guard, averaged 12 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.9 steals last season despite missing seven games with a sprained ankle. She is very good going to the basket, often drawing fouls, and can hit shots from three-point range.

Smith has been a part of two NSCHSAA championships with the Cougars and was also a Newsday All-Long Island first-team selection last season.

"I didn't plan on making a decision this early, but I fell in love with the school," Smith said. "It is everything that I wanted. It was where I felt comfortable. I was in love after one visit."

Another factor in the decision was the chance to compete for a spot as a point guard, a position Smith wants to play in college.