Born and raised in Anderson, IN, our #4 shooting guard is our spotlight player of the week. Dionte Raines, also known as “Te”, has been playing basketball all his life. His mother, Amber Smith, raised Dionte and his sister while running her business at the same time! With all of that she still kept him in the game and supported him through it. If you have had the pleasure of meeting Dionte, you can see the strength, compassion, and kindness that his mother instilled in him. Our #4 is always supportive, ready to lead with class, and there is always a smile on his face.
Dionte truly makes sure to give admiration and credit to the ones who are there for him.
-Dionte Raines
While growing up in Anderson, Dionte met Kayla for the first time in class in the 1st grade. “We had a crush on each other haha. I actually put a heart around his picture in my yearbook. For 3rd grade I changed schools but we met again freshman year. Sophomore year we went to a birthday party and it was cold outside and he gave me his red Nike hoodie to leave in so I wouldn’t be cold. A couple of months later, we started dating. So as of this year we have been together for 10 years!!! We have had bumps along the way and time apart.. but we always say that we had to go apart to grow together, that beautiful family we once dreamed of in high school is now our reality.” Kayla also recognizes, Amber (Te’s mother), “She made sure that Dionte was always playing, as his love for basketball was so strong. As a single mom of 2, I know it wasn’t easy, but she made it happen! She is still cheering him on and is a big support!”
-Dionte Raines
-Kayla
Dionte Raines, has FOUR jobs. He tutors at an elementary school, basketball training at M14 in Noblesville, plays basketball for the Leprechauns, and he has his own shoe restoration business. (@draines_restorations on Instagram). He has been cleaning shoes since his sophomore year of high school, so if you need any work done, he is your guy! He offers deep cleans, gets the yellowing out of shoes, removes creases, etc. WOW! Somehow he manages to balance all of that hard work AND succeeds phenomenally as a family man.
“I never thought that I would be a tutor or a basketball trainer because all I ever wanted to do was hoop. But since doing this, it has taught me a lot about myself and I get the chance to impact the generations after me in a positive way. This means a lot to me because I do not think there is any point in having knowledge and wisdom if you do not use it and pass it down. It made me realize life isn’t always about me, it’s about helping the people around you, giving them guidance, showing them the right way to do things, and leaving a legacy that my kids will be proud of.”
-Dionte Raines
Dionte played basketball all through high school, but he broke his wrist and only got to play in 6 games his senior year. After healing he went to Kingston Academy Prep School in Ohio and got his senior year playing time back. After Prep School, Te went to JUCO to Lewis and Clark in Illinois and made the 2018 All Region and All Conference Team. After that season, he was playing 3 on 3 when he broke his tibia (shin bone) in two places. Things were tough for Dionte at this time but thankfully he got a scholarship to Three Rivers in Missouri. While strengthening up after his injury and getting ready to get back on court, 9 months after the injury, he was released from the doctor and ready to get back out on the court. He was finally ready to compete at 100% again, but at that very first practice he rebroke the same shin! He had to redshirt that year, but he healed up and played the next year.
I cannot imagine jumping back into something after an injury like that. This definitely proves his devotion to the game.
“I was beyond proud of myself because most would’ve been done, but I knew I had a lot left to prove. I graduated and finished my last 2 years at IU East and then played for the Indiana All-Americans in the TBL, which is where I met Coach Benson!”
-Dionte Raines
“I was introduced to Dionte 3 years ago while I was coaching the All-Americans and to be honest I didn’t think he’d be the player he was. He went through the grind of the first year and showed what he could really do. He and I stayed in close contact and he was always asking what he could work on to get better. Year 2 comes around and he just explodes. Things didn’t go the way we hoped in year 2 but Te never quit. Year 3 comes along and he just shows even more improvement not only from skill but from a vocal stand point. He’s becoming more of a leader. I’m really proud of how much he’s grown over the 3 years and is continuing to grow. One thing about Te that stands out to me is that he is always in the gym working, if he’s not there he’s being the best Dad & Partner to Kayla he could be which I love seeing his love for his Family!”
-Coach John Benson
“Dionte never wants to stop getting better.”
At practice, Dionte is always encouraging his teammates. He hypes them up. He helps them be better. High fives and offering advice, he is the definition of a team player. Watching these guys practice is always a treat, you get to see them grow together as a family, they really lean on each other. Dionte is a leader in this, if not THE leader. They are all supportive, but Dionte works hard at it, excels at it. He is an inspiration.
“Dionte is a great guy all around. I’ve actually known of him the last three years, two obviously being on the same team. The first year I played against him when I was with the enforcers and he was with the all Americans. Dionte is the type of guy you want on your team, but don’t want to play against. Extremely competitive. He expects 100% effort from everyone on our team. He’s a great leader, leads by example. I’m extremely happy to be on his team and not playing against him anymore!”
-Alex Cole
(Photo Credit: M.A. Studios Photography)
For the last two seasons you have watched Dionte play for our Leprechauns with pride. He is an incredible asset to our community and the fans adore him. “Also, Dionte doesn’t just play basketball.. he lives it. In high school he would go to school before school even started and get shots up. If he had a bad game he would stay after and put shots up. Now to this day he works out everyday, is in the gym everyday, even on the days he has practices and games.” Kayla adds. “His dream is to play over seas and I know he will get there. He loves playing for the Leprechauns though. He loves the community, the fans, and that he is close to home.”
(Photos supplied by Britney Nickle)
(Photo Supplied by Dionte Raines)