BEAUMONT, Texas -- Bianca Smith has been hired as an assistant coach announced Lamar University head women's basketball coach Aqua Franklin Thursday morning. Smith comes to Beaumont from the Loyola University Chicago, where she served in a similar capacity with the Ramblers.

"We are excited to welcome Bianca Smith to our Lamar family. Bianca brings a wealth of valuable knowledge in recruiting, player development, scouting and has a brilliant basketball mind," stated head coach Aqua Franklin. "Coach Smith is a high-level thinker, communicator, and does an unbelievable job connecting with people and building lasting relationships. Her passion for helping young women grow, develop and reach their goals is what drives her and make her an outstanding fit for Lamar. We are thrilled to welcome her back home to Texas and to the Cardinal family."

Smith spent four seasons on staff with the Ramblers. During her time in Chicago, she helped guide the Ramblers to their first winning season since 2011-12 as an assistant coach. A program that won only two games during her first season on campus, the Ramblers proceeded to increase their win total in each of the next three seasons.

Prior to her stint in Chicago, Smith served as the director of basketball operations at the University of Pittsburgh. Before her stint in the Steel City, she spent three years at Rice. The Missouri City, Texas native, served as the team's video coordinator in 2011-12 before she was promoted to an assistant coach role.

"I am truly excited to assist Coach Aqua in taking the Lamar Cardinals Women's Basketball program to the next level," said new assistant coach Bianca Smith. "During these unprecedented times it feels good to come back home. Born in Houston, Texas and graduated from Bellaire High School. My heart is full of gratitude and I'm thankful for the opportunity to bring my basketball experience and skills to help make this program better. Coach Aqua and her staff have already done an awesome job, I'm just excited to get here, be a part of the team and above all else win a championship."

Before Smith began her collegiate coaching career with Texas Southern as a graduate assistant in 2011-12, she was a four-year letter winner at the University of Colorado. The 5-foot-9 guard completed her time at Colorado as the all-time leader in both three-pointers made and attempted. She earned Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year honors for her efforts during her senior season. She finished her career 18th on Colorado's all-time scoring list with 1,138 points.

After her time at Colorado, she went on to play one season of professional basketball in Lithuania.