DANE SMITH

The Toronto native currently plays in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) and is signed to the Cape Breton Highlanders for the 2016-17 season. Off the court, Dane Smith uses his business skills, eager personality, and love for Basketball to engage with youth across the country.

Early years:

Dane found himself drawn to the basketball court at an early age being heavily influenced and encouraged by friends and family while growing up. Jungle (The Lawrence Heights Community) has been long time recognized as a place where players play pickup basketball. It’s a tough, intimidating environment where the competition runs high bringing up talents such as Canadian legend Phil Dixon who honed many of his basketball skills in the Lawrence Heights Community Centre. Dane, along with his twin brother Dwayne Smith, are two of the many basketball players from the Jungle who have gone on to complete University on scholarship. 

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University

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After graduating from Kilgore College, his love for basketball continued to grow and he continued to train even harder. By fall of 2010 he was given the opportunity to continue chasing his dream. Smith was enrolled to the University of Tennessee at Martin. There he had a chance to play against nationally ranked opponents featuring NBA stars such as such as, Jerry Sullener of the Boston Celtics (BIG10), Ohio State University; Will Barton of the Portland Trail Blazers, (SEC) University of Memphis; Tobias Harris of the Orlando Magic (SEC), University of Tennessee; Isaiah Cannon of the Houston Rockets (OVC), Murray State University; Payton Siva of the Detroit pistons; Russ Smith of the New Orleans Pelicans, Louisville University (BIG EAST).