Episode 11: Growing up in Kitchener, Ontario, Dhane Smith spent the early years of his life playing both lacrosse and hockey, but would eventually get into football (and a brief stint in volleyball?). After healing from a broken ankle his senior year of high school, Dhane was invited to Canada's Top 100 Camp for both football and lacrosse. We think it's pretty obvious which one he ended up choosing...
Fast forward a few years, Dhane was drafted #5 overall by the Buffalo Bandits in 2012, following in his uncle, Billy Dee Smith's, footsteps.
Not only has Dhane Smith won NLL Rookie of the Year, All-League First Team, and League MVP, he also holds the Bandits single season records for goals and assists. Not to mention earning recent PLL Second Team All-Pro honors and a PLL Championship with the Chaos Lacrosse Club (2021).
As one of the few black lacrosse players, both growing up in Ontario, and now in the NLL and PLL, Dhane has been an advocate for the BLM movement, receiving numerous appreciative messages from fans of the sport and of what he stands for.
The team at LVLS was fortunate enough to gift Dhane his customized 'BLM' pair of black and white tights that he wore for the PLL Playoff run, and continues to sport for the Bandits this season.
It was a pleasure getting the chance to sit down with him and learn about how he reps his story each and every day.
#RepYourStory
If you are an athlete or content creator with an interesting or inspirational story to share, reach out to our team and we'll be in touch!
