Smith was born in Bendigo, Victoria.[1] She represented Country Victoria at U16 (1995) and U18 (1996 and 1997) Australian Junior Championships, winning in 1996 and 1997 and captaining in 1997. She was All Australian in 1995, 1996 and 1997.[2]
Smith played many seasons in the Australian State Leagues. She played for the Bendigo Braves in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) in 1999 and the Warrnambool Mermaids in Big V in 2000.[6] She averaged 26 points per game with Warrnambool.[7]
Smith returned to the SEABL and played for the Kilsyth Cobras in 2010 and the Geelong Supercats in 2011 and 2012.[6][12] She then returned to the SBL where she served as player-coach for the Cockburn Cougars in 2014 and 2015[13][14] before finishing with the Perry Lakes Hawks in 2016.[6][15]
Coaching career
In November 2016, Smith was appointed head coach of the Perry Lakes Hawks women's team for the 2017 SBL season.[16] Four months later, she announced her retirement from playing basketball.[17] The team won the opening eight games of the season[18] as Smith guided the Hawks to the minor premiership with a 20–2 record. They went on to reach the WSBL Grand Final,[19] where they defeated the Mandurah Magic 59–48 to win the championship.[20] She parted ways with the Hawks in October 2021.[21]
^ abBourke, Adam (18 November 2021). "Former NBL star appointed Bendigo Braves' coach". bendigoadvertiser.com.au. Retrieved 7 February 2024. Deanna Black, nee Smith, was born in Bendigo and played for the Bendigo Spirit and Bendigo Braves during an impressive professional career that included stints in Europe and international duties with the Australian Opals.