BOONE, N.C. - App State women's basketball coach
Alaura Sharp announced the addition of Jaida McClure and Zoe Smith to the Mountaineers' 2026-27 signing class on Thursday. The pair will don the Black and Gold as true freshmen next winter.
Jaida McClure | 5' 9" | G | Charlotte, N.C. | Providence Day School & Legacy Early College
McClure will join the Mountaineers as a guard. In her high school career, McClure has eclipsed 1,000 points and was named Offensive Player of the Year. She is also a three-time all-conference and all-state selection. The Charlotte, N.C. native leads her team in assists, points, and steals. She helped her team to the state championship game in 2023. McClure also plays for the Lady Push 3SSB club team.
While at App State, McClure plans to study psychology. She has three siblings and enjoys spending time with her nephew. She also can juggle and enjoys building Legos.
Why McClure Chose App State: "I chose App because of the people and the winning culture. The support for women's sports is unreal, and the coaches and players made me feel right at home. Huge thank you to Coach Sharp and the staff for believing in me. I can't wait to be a Mountaineer."
Sharp on McClure: "Jaida is one of the best players in the state. We are thankful that she chose to stay in North Carolina and rep the A. Her court vision and maturity level will be extremely valuable to our program. She has a high basketball IQ and is a pass-first point guard. She is also a capable scorer at three levels. She is committed to growing her game and wanted a program that was going to challenge her with that. She has played in one of the best programs in the state and has experienced winning at a high level."
Zoe Smith | 6' 2" | F | Durham, N.C. | Chapel Hill HS
Smith will join the Mountaineers as a forward next year. She earned all-conference honors while in high school. Smith was a four-year starter, ranking second on the team in scoring and blocks per game. The Durham, N.C. native also ranked second in the conference in double-doubles and third in rebounds. She boasts a career high 20 points as well as a season high 17 points and 12 rebounds. Additionally, Smith played for the NC Attack club team under the direction of Michael Ziellmann.
Smith comes from a very athletic family, as her older sister, Laynie, plays volleyball at UNC. Her twin sister, Eva, also plans on playing collegiate volleyball. Smith enjoys art, puzzles, and listening to music.
Why Smith Chose App State: "I loved the culture and the people. I can see myself growing, learning and contributing to the school."
Sharp on Smith: "We are thrilled to announce the signing of Zoe. She has so much upside as a player. Her strength, grit and athleticism will be immediately impactful. She is a post player who can stretch on the perimeter and has the ability to attack off the dribble. One of my favorite things about her game is her physicality. She does not back down from a challenge. Her personality and core values are a great match for the direction our program is headed."
