Former American Samoa U19 national player and 2011 Oceania All Star, Talanoa Smith, returns home to American Samoa and participates in the 2013 Summer Youth clinic by the department of parks and recreations. Smith, who is entering his junior season at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, is expected to start this season for the bearcats and is happy to be home and able to give back to the young athletes with the same opportunity he had.

Smith was very happy to be invited to be part of the clinic from American Samoa Basketball Association President, Milton Taufa'asau, to help train the youth athletes and give back to the community. "It's a great opportunity not only for me to give back, but to see these young boys & girls have a chance to development their skills & talent and one day represent American Samoa in international competition", said Smith.

Smith has been training vigoriously during the off-season while in American Samoa as he prepares to head back to Willamette University in Salem, Oregon in the United States in August.

Talanoa Smith was a high school stand-out playing point guard for Tafuna high school and winning multiple championships. He earned a roster spot on the 2009 national team that competed in Kona, Hawaii that came in 3rd place. He also played in 2010 for the American Samoa U19 national team that competed in New Caledonia and he earned a spot on the 2011 Oceania All-Star team that played for the Australia Cup. He has already committed to return to American Samoa to join the 2015 men's national team that will be competing in Papua New Guinea for Pacific Games. ASBA President, Milton Taufa'asau, said, "Talanoa has the talent and training to compete at a higher level and we're very excited to have him commit to the national team program."