Roanne strengthens roster with Kendall Smith for season’s final stretch
With four games remaining in the Pro B regular season, Chorale de Roanne, ranked fourth, is looking to reverse its negative momentum. Weakened by absences at the guard position, the Loire team has just brought in experienced Kendall Smith (6’3″, 29) as a medical replacement.
Kendall Smith vient renforcer l’équipe 💪🏽
Cet arrière-meneur US de 29 ans (1,90 m) arrive en tant que pigiste médical de Mathis Courbon ✍🏽
Il sera qualifié dès ce vendredi pour le déplacement à Boulazac
Le communiqué officiel ➡️ https://t.co/o2adfJrlRi#ChoraleNation #ProB pic.twitter.com/AWzswsZ2S4
— Chorale Roanne Basket (@ChoraleRoanne) April 24, 2025
Experienced combo guard to help Roanne finish strong
Following successive injuries to Antoine Diot (6’4″, 36) and Mathis Courbon (6’5″, 20), Roanne acted quickly. The club announced on Tuesday the signing of Kendall Smith, a 29-year-old American combo guard. After playing at Oklahoma State in NCAA, Smith has played around the world: Czech Republic, Belgium, G-League, Greece, Russia, Turkey, and most recently China.
Nationality:
He joins Roanne from Qingdao Eagles (CBA), after starting the season with Panionios (Greece), where he averaged 12.2 points with 31% three-point shooting and 3 assists in 29 minutes. This player, capable of playing both guard positions, should immediately join the rotation for Friday’s crucial game at Boulazac in Round 35 of Pro B.
Coach Thomas Andrieux expressed his satisfaction with the signing: « Following the combined absences of Antoine and Mathis at the guard position, reinforcement was urgently needed. Kendall’s arrival perfectly matches our expectations. He’s a very versatile combo guard, capable of scoring but also creating for his teammates. Welcome to him. »
In a tight race for promotion, every game now counts for Chorale, who hopes that Kendall Smith’s international experience will help secure a Top 5 spot and thus home-court advantage in the promotion playoffs.
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