Newton High School basketball player London Smith is ITG Next’s March 2025 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.
Smith, a sophomore, was a major force behind Newton winning the GHSA Class 6A state title game over Grayson last month. She was named MVP of the title game by the GHSA after leading all scorers with 23 points to pace Newton to the 59-56 win, the first ever for the Newton girls basketball program.
Leading up to the championship game, Smith turned it up a notch during the state playoff games, averaging 21 points per game during that span.
Smith actually came up big all season, averaging 18.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.
She was a First Team All-Region selection, an Atlanta Tip Off Club Third Team All-Metro selection, and a GBCA/GACA Class 6A South All-State selection for 2025.
“London’s passion for the game makes her a naturally fierce competitor,” said Jawan Bailey, Newton girls basketball head coach. “She constantly challenges her teammates when they’re not upholding the standard we have set, and she is always leading by example with the way she practices and plays.”
Bailey said he uses Smith as a guard but expects her to fill the role of both a point guard and shooting guard because of how talented and versatile she is.
Bailey said that he has coached Smith for the past three years and that each year she has grown in every aspect of her game, including even last year when she was forced to sit out after suffering from a knee injury.
“London went down with a torn ACL in the third game of the season last year,” Bailey said.
Despite her injury keeping her from playing in live games, Smith was able to practice shooting, and that has carried over to this season, Bailey said.
“She actually became a much better shooter while recovering from the torn ACL,” he said.
This season, Smith fine tuned her defensive game, making her an all-around solid player on both ends of the court.
“She is a vital part of our success,” Bailey said. “Her ability to score the ball and make plays is second to none when it comes to Georgia girls high school basketball. She works extremely hard at her craft, and that was a big part of why we were successful during the season and especially in the playoffs.
“I’m super excited to see her continue to develop her game and chase the best version of herself moving forward.”
Smith will have plenty of time to do just that. She’ll be back for her junior season in 2025-26, then for her senior campaign in 2026-27.
“She is such a well-rounded kid,” Bailey said. “She is beloved by her teachers and administrators and is an A-B student with no disciplinary record. She is a true leader for Newton High School and Newton County in general.”
Congratulations to Newton basketball player London Smith, ITG Next’s March 2025 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.
