Long Beach State University Athletics
Kaleb Smith Returns To The Big West As Grand Canyon Transfer
4/27/2026 2:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Smith averaged double-figures in his final season at UC Riverside.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State welcomes the return of a proven big man in the Big West, as Kaleb Smith comes to the Beach as a transfer from Grand Canyon.
Kaleb Smith | Forward | 6-10, 245 | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Kaleb Smith comes back to the Big West for one final season, having spent three years in Riverside. After redshirting as a freshman, Smith developed through the year in 2023-34, finishing the year scoring 7.5 points per game and 9.2 points with 6.0 rebounds per game in Big West play. That upward trajectory continued as a sophomore, where he was third on the Highlanders in scoring at 11.0 points per game while making 4.6 rebounds per game and shooting over 30% from three. This past season, Smith played 22 games with Grand Canyon as a bench option for the 'Lopes, who went 20-12 overall.
Acker on Smith:
"Kaleb Smith brings proven experience and success in the Big West, and we're excited about the IQ, shooting, and toughness he adds to our program. He's a versatile player who understands how to impact the game on both ends, and his ability to stretch the floor while competing with physicality fits exactly how we want to play. Kaleb knows what it looks like to lead and contribute to winning at a high level, and that presence will be valuable for our group. We're thrilled to have someone of his caliber and experience join the team we've put together for this season."
Smith is the first Division I transfer to join the program as a spring addition, following the addition of point guard Blake Bahr in what promises to be a busy stretch of signing for the Beach.
Kaleb Smith | Forward | 6-10, 245 | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Kaleb Smith comes back to the Big West for one final season, having spent three years in Riverside. After redshirting as a freshman, Smith developed through the year in 2023-34, finishing the year scoring 7.5 points per game and 9.2 points with 6.0 rebounds per game in Big West play. That upward trajectory continued as a sophomore, where he was third on the Highlanders in scoring at 11.0 points per game while making 4.6 rebounds per game and shooting over 30% from three. This past season, Smith played 22 games with Grand Canyon as a bench option for the 'Lopes, who went 20-12 overall.
Acker on Smith:
"Kaleb Smith brings proven experience and success in the Big West, and we're excited about the IQ, shooting, and toughness he adds to our program. He's a versatile player who understands how to impact the game on both ends, and his ability to stretch the floor while competing with physicality fits exactly how we want to play. Kaleb knows what it looks like to lead and contribute to winning at a high level, and that presence will be valuable for our group. We're thrilled to have someone of his caliber and experience join the team we've put together for this season."
Smith is the first Division I transfer to join the program as a spring addition, following the addition of point guard Blake Bahr in what promises to be a busy stretch of signing for the Beach.
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