CLEVELAND, Ohio – First-year Cleveland State women's basketball head coach Chris Kielsmeier announced the addition of Julia Hintz and Elie Smith for the upcoming 2019-20 season, with both entering Cleveland State as true freshmen with four years of eligibility remaining.
"We are thrilled to have Julia and Elie joining the Cleveland State women's basketball program next season, and we are very excited to see them progress and grow throughout their Viking careers," head coach Chris Kielsmeier said. "They are both great students with tremendous character, and they both work hard to improve themselves on and off the court every single day – and will be great additions to our program next year."
Julia Hintz | 5-8, G | New Berlin, Wis. (New Berlin Eisenhower)
Hintz has spent her high school career at New Berlin Eisenhower High School, where she has guided the Lions to a top-five ranking in the state as a three-year varsity starter. As a freshman, Hintz was an integral part of a state championship team, while she was also part of a state runner-up team last year as a junior.
As a three-time All-State and First Team All-Conference honoree, Hintz was named to the Journal Sentinel Team of the Year as a junior after leading New Berlin Eisenhower to back-to-back conference championships. Hintz has also been named First Team All-Area and First Team All-Suburban as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Entering her senior season, Hintz was averaging 17.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, and has tallied 330+ assists and 200+ steals on her career. During the first game of her senior campaign earlier this winter, Hintz recorded her 1,000th career point, becoming the fastest player in New Berlin Eisenhower history to reach the milestone.
In the classroom, Hintz has been named to the Honor Roll throughout her high school career, and is undecided on a major.
"Julia is a true point guard with a high basketball IQ, who has the ability to lead her team in any offensive or defensive scenario. With that being said, she also has a scoring mentality, which really expands her game. Her skill set to consistently shoot the three really opens up her midrange game and craftiness to get to the rim. Defensively, Julia has the speed, footwork and relentless mentality to not be beat – which allows this part of her game to excel. Julia's work ethic, combined with her competitiveness, is what will make her a significant impact player on both ends of the floor for us," – Chris Kielsmeier
Elie Smith | 5-11, F | Fowlerville, Mich. (Fowlerville)
Smith has spent her high school career at Fowlerville High School, leading the Gladiators to a District Championship last year as a junior. Entering her senior season, Smith was averaging 15.3 points on a .510 field goal percentage, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 blocked shots per game.
As a two-time AP All-State honoree, Smith enters her senior season with 895 career points, and has been named All-League CAAC on two occasions. Last season, she was the County Player of the Year Runner-Up, and has earned Detroit News All-State Honorable Mention in each of the last two seasons.
In the classroom, Smith is a BCAM Academic All-State honoree and is a two-time Academic Letterwinner, and plans on majoring in business.
"Elie will play the three or four position for us, her length and size is an obvious mismatch for her opponents on both ends of the floor, which will be a great asset. Not only does Elie have the offensive skill set to score on the block, she has a consistent outside shot that really allows her to score from anywhere on the floor. Defensively, her length allows her to be a great rebounder and it also makes it difficult for opponents to score over her size. Elie loves to be in the gym, she never settles, and is always working to improve her game. That work ethic, combined with her competitive mentality will really allow her to be effective on both ends of the floor for us." – Chris Kielsmeier