SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State women's basketball added two transfers on Tuesday as NJCAA First Team All-American forward Tiffany Tullis and guard Crystal Smith – both from nationally-ranked Blinn College – signed to transfer to the Bobcats starting with the 2023-24 season, head coach Zenarae Antoine announced. Both players have two years of eligibility remaining.
 
Tullis was named a first team All-American this season after averaging 14.4 points and 12.6 rebounds as well as totaling 28 double-doubles. Smith, meanwhile, averaged 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists for Blinn and started all but one game. The pair helped the Buccaneers reach the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship tournament, finish with a 31-4 record, and rank as high as No. 2 in the nation.
 
"Both Tiffany and Crystal left an amazing legacy at Blinn College under Coach Jeff Jenkins guidance and I look forward to them adding to our established positive culture at Texas State," said Antoine. "I know it will be a smooth transition because they come from loving families who have supported them and pushed them to be their best on and off the floor. It is with much happiness that we welcome them to Texas State University and our Bobcat Women's Basketball Family."
 
In her two-year career at Blinn, Tullis was named Region XIV Player of the Year (2022-23), Region XIV Newcomer of the Year (2021-22), all-region first team twice, all-conference first team twice, and Region XIV all-tournament team. The San Antonio native and product of Cornerstone Christian Academy finished as the Buccaneers' single-season (441 this year) and career rebounding leader (767).
 
"Tiffany is a versatile forward who can score, rebound and pass at an elevated level," said Antoine. "She earned the title of NJCAA First Team All-American by her work ethic and relentless efforts on the floor. Similar to her teammate Crystal Smith, she led her team by gaining a No. 5 seed for the NJCAA National Tournament."
 
Tullis started her collegiate career at at Prairie View A&M in 2020-21 before transferring to Blinn. In her first season with the Buccaneers, she averaged 11.5 points and 10.5 rebounds off the bench to help her be named the region's newcomer of the year.
 
In 16 games with Prairie View A&M as a true freshman, Tullis averaged 6.5 points and 5.6 rebounds off the bench.
 
Originally from Bastrop, Louisiana, Smith had 12 games of double-digit scoring this past season for Blinn and started 33 games. She was sixth in the Region XIV in assists per game (3.1) and fourth in assists-to-turnovers ratio (1.6).
 
"Crystal is a dynamic player who plays with a strong motor," said Antoine. "Her ability to create as well as score makes her a threat on offense. If you add that she led the nationally ranked No. 5 seed Blinn Junior College to the NJCAAs, you know that she is ready for this next chapter in her career. We are excited to welcome Crystal to our Bobcat family!"
 
In her true freshman season at Tarleton State, Smith played in seven games and totaled 11 points, 8 assists, 8 steals, and 7 rebounds in 48 minutes.
 
At Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas, Smith was a four-year letterwinner and was named District 19-6A MVP and TABC All-Region in her senior season after lifting the Falcons to a district championship. That season, Smith averaged 16 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals. She was also one of 21 Houston area players nominated for the 44th annual McDonald's All-American Game.
 
Over the course of her Tompkins career, Smith was named the District 19-6A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2020, first team all-district as a junior and senior, academic all-district as a sophomore and senior, and broke several school records including single-game scoring (36 points), career points (1,264), career steals (225), single-season assists (115), and career assists (327).
 
The Bobcats, who are coming off a share of the 2023 Sun Belt regular season championship and a WNIT appearance, added Tullis and Smith to a newcomer class that so far includes incoming freshmen Julia Coleman (forward; St. Louis, Mo.) and Emi Steele (guard; Euless, Texas).
 
 
What They're Saying About Tullis and Smith
Coach Jeff Jenkins, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Blinn Community College
 
On Crystal: "Crystal can score by attacking the basket, hitting a three, or pulling up for a 15-foot jump shot. She sees the floor extremely well and has become a decent rebounder. Crystal has a tremendous work ethic and always wants to improve on a weakness. She is the first player on the court for practice, and the last to leave."
 
On Tiffany: "Tiffany left as the all-time leading rebounder in a season and a career at Blinn College. She is a mismatch that can use her speed to drive around bigger forwards to create a scoring opportunity for herself or her teammates."
 
 
Coach Antreanna Brooks, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Blinn Community College
 
On Crystal: "Texas State is getting a player who will compete, work hard, and have a high motor with a hunger to win. Crystal has always been athletic, but her time at Blinn she's developed into a good shooter and is a three-level scorer"
 
On Tiffany: "Tiffany has developed into a mismatch player all over the court. Her ability to drive, shoot, pass and rebound puts her in elite company. Averaging a double-double for 2 years is not easy, and she made it look like a cakewalk in one of the toughest juco regions. She's a special talent. "
 
 
Coach Will Jefferson, Founder of SABA Academy/THS Team Spaz
 
On Crystal: "Congratulations to Crystal Smith joining Texas State! Super proud of you & wish you the best of success! They got a great point gawd ready to make an impact! She is a floor general with amazing quickness, high IQ, and an excellent playmaker! Crystal is dynamic around the rim with a dawg mentality & always is ready to defend! I can't wait to see it all in action next season!!
 
 
Coach Tammy Ray, Assistant Athletic Coordinator/ Head Girls Basketball Coach at Obra D. Tompkins High School
 
On Crystal: "Crystal is unafraid of challenges or the work it takes. In HS she was unstoppable off the dribble and worked to become a dual threat on offense. But defense was her game, I expected her to lock down our opponent's best every night. And she did as she was named District MVP and DPOY. Crystal works extremely hard. She always has a smile on her face and aimed to finish first or be the best in all that she did. She learned the importance of leadership and excelled at leading her teammates. Y'all can talk about, points, steals, rebounds, whatever, but Crystal possesses what you can't coach, she has IT."  #falconculture
 
 
Coach Jarrett Turner, Former Coach
 
On Tiffany: "Texas State lands a player that's impressive on both sides of the floor. Tiffany is a high energetic player. She is super lengthy and active on the glass. Tiffany is an effective three-way scorer with a tremendous upside. I am so excited for Tiffany and the Texas State WBB program!"
 
 
Coach Charles, Former Coach
 
On Tiffany: "Tiffany will be a great asset to Texas state. Her desire to win and her ability to work hard day in and day out is going to pay off volumes on the court and in the locker room."