WASHINGTON – An LSU women’s basketball player fainted during the team’s visit to the White House on Friday, halting a speech by President Joe Biden in a scary moment.
Forward Sa’Myah Smith was standing with her teammates when she suddenly collapsed midway through Biden’s congratulatory speech for the national champions. White House doctors attended to her and later helped her into a wheelchair after about six minutes.
“That’s not the first time it’s happened,” said Biden.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey later said, “Sa’Myah is fine, for those of you who are concerned.”
Mulkey said Smith was a bit embarrassed and wanted to stay at the ceremony but needed to be checked out.
Smith just completed her first season with LSU after playing in high school in DeSoto, Texas.
She played in all of the team’s 36 games this season, averaging 4.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while earning a spot on the all-SEC freshman team. Smith scored two points in 10 minutes when the Tigers beat Iowa to win the school’s first national title last month.
