Smith turns to his old school to sign recruit

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach B.J. Smith has landed his first recruit of the spring signing period after he received a national letter of intent from Brandi Russia on Friday.

Russia, a 5-foot-7 guard, played for Smith at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College. She helped lead the Norse to a second-place finish in the national junior college tournament two years ago, which was Smith's final season at the school before he took over Southeast's program.

Russia originally signed with Southeast last year after Smith was hired, but she had difficulties gaining eligibility and never enrolled.

"We really wanted Brandi to play for us this year and we're very happy she's finally going to be with us," Smith said. "We felt like she might have been the missing link for us this year."

Russia, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, averaged 10.1 points, 3.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M two years ago to earn honorable-mention All-American honors. She shot 47.2 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range.

As a freshman at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M under Smith, Russia was the Region II Player of the Year and was a first-team All-American after averaging 12.9 points, 3.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game.

"Brandi was a great player for me for two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M," Smith said. "She didn't score as much as a sophomore because we had a more balanced team.

"She can play either point guard or two guard, but she'll probably play two guard for us. She's an athletic guard who can score, defend and pretty much do it all. She is really just a basketball player and our fans are really going to like her."

Smith said he plans to sign three more players during the spring period, which runs through May 15.