At a recent home game in Cameron Indoor Stadium, ushers distributed free posters to all fans. The poster read "You Can't Control the Elements" and featured photos of Duke's three All-America candidates-Alison Bales shooting an earth, Lindsey Harding leaving a gust of wind behind her and Abby Waner hoisting a three-pointer trailed by fire.
There was no photo of Wanisha Smith.
After all, "unsung hero" is not an element.
But as any opposing coach would undoubtedly affirm, Smith is just as dangerous as any other Blue Devil. The fact that top-ranked Duke's big three-as head coach Gail Goestenkors dubbed the trio of Bales, Harding and Waner-gets national attention while Smith plays in relative obscurity, though, does not upset the junior combo-guard.
In fact, she relishes her role.
"It doesn't bother me at all," Smith said. "I like to be behind the scenes. I would rather not be talked about so that I can just come out and play and not have any pressure on me."
While Duke's triumvirate of All-America candidates takes the pressure off the easygoing Smith, it certainly does not detract from her overall game. This year, Smith is averaging 9.7 points per game-fourth on the team.
Her penchant for performing in big games has been critical for the undefeated Blue Devils all season. In last week's matchup at No. 2 North Carolina, Smith scored 17 points, a team high. Even though all of her points came in the first half, Smith singlehandedly kept Duke in the game.
"She carried us for the first half," Waner said. "If she wasn't there in the first half, we easily would have been losing."
Smith's performance this year is even more impressive considering how her role on the team has evolved. As a freshman, Smith started 35 out of 36 games at point guard, with Harding suspended for the year. In her sophomore year, however, Harding returned and the Blue Devils welcomed the highly-touted Waner to the rotation, and Smith started only 20 games.
Despite the circumstances, there was no semblance of resentment between Waner and Smith. In fact, when Waner took Smith's starting job, the older guard took the rookie under her wing.
"Wanisha was the first to go up to Abby and say, 'I am behind you 100 percent,'" Goestenkors said. "Abby came to me and said that meant so much to her because she was a freshman. It meant a lot to her that Wanisha was pulling for her instead of seeing her as competition."
This year, Smith has thrived in her return to the starting lineup. The development of her game was spurred by private workouts with assistant coach Tia Jackson, who helped her rediscover her shooting form. Most importantly, Jackson said, she taught Smith to be her own coach on the floor-the guard now is able to make adjustments without being chastised by the coaching staff.
Smith's position is not truly defined-she plays point guard at times, but is more of a hybrid shooting guard and small forward. Goestenkors sees Smith's versatility and willingness to sacrifice for the team as invaluable traits.
"Wanisha is the consummate team player," she said. "She is willing to do whatever it takes. She's done whatever has been asked of her. She's done a little bit of everything for us."
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