Not only is the 1.83m swingman capable of doing a bit of everything, she pretty much does everything for the Southern Hoiho.
Her 19.8 points per game ranks her second in the league at the halfway point of Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa.
Her 9.3 rebounds per game are also the second-most in the league.
Her 3.8 assists per game — not quite second in the league, but fourth is not too bad, while her 2.3 steals per game have her in a tie for third.
She is capable of hitting a jump shot, taking on a bigger player from the outside and going inside against a smaller player.
On defence she has the length to challenge inside, while also having the foot speed and motor to clamp-guard perimeter players.
Yet while she has put up the bulk of the numbers and, at times, seems to be carrying this team, Snyder was quick to credit her team-mates.
It was not so much what they were physically doing on court, but the way they trusted her to do what she was doing, the 26-year-old American import said.
"They give me the confidence to go out there every night.
"I know that they trust me and they want the best and just to have the support for them really gives me confidence.
"I think my confidence comes from their support. It makes all the difference," Snyder said.
Despite her dominance, the team remains winless after six games — something Snyder made clear was her biggest focus.
The Hoiho have improved in recent games, although while they have looked good in patches, they have slumped in others.
Scoring has remained an issue, although there were promising signs both early and late in Wednesday night’s loss to the Tokomanawa Queens.
As the team looked ahead to hosting the Mid-North Whai tomorrow, her focus was on figuring out how to ensure the team played its best — whether that meant her putting up big numbers or not, Snyder said.
"I think that’s something I’ve been looking at moving forward, especially after last game.
"Sometimes I feel like I have to take the load. That recognition that I don’t have to do it myself.
"The biggest strength will come from making the whole team better. That’s my focus moving forward. Doing what I need to do personally, but making sure the whole team’s getting in the process," Snyder said.
Originally from Ohio, Snyder grew up in a heavily Amish-populated area, where women’s basketball was a major sport.
That naturally led her to the game. Playing college ball or professionally was not on her radar initially, but she followed in her sister’s footsteps to college.
She decided to go division 2 at Ashland University, spurning division 1 offers, to maintain a basketball-study-life balance.
A successful career at college followed, her team winning the 2017 national title.
Stints playing professionally in Australia, Germany, Greece and Luxemburg followed, all of which were different experiences, she said.
Previous Hoiho coach Charles Nix had coached against her in Australia, which had provided the link to get her to New Zealand.
Nix has been away for the past four matches and Hoiho general manager Angela Ruske confirmed late on Thursday his contract had now been terminated.
Ruske said the decision was "based on the best interests for the organisation".
Dunedin coach Natalie Visger would move into the head coach role on a permanent basis.
Prior to the announcement, Snyder had already praised the influence Visger has had on the team.
"We’ve definitely seen improvement from the beginning on the season," Snyder said.
"I would 100% credit that to coach Nat and her style of play that she’s implemented with us. It’s put us in places to succeed.
"I wish we could have been running with that the whole season. The changes we’ve made since she’s been in charge have really been encouraging. We all feel like we have it."
Tauihi Basketball
Edgar Centre, tomorrow, 12.30pm
Hoiho: Laina Snyder, Shelby Cheslek, Tori Dugan, Samara Gallaher, Zoe Richards, Olivia O’Neill, Nicole Ruske, Bronwyn Kjestrup, Jay Maoate-Breen, Tyler Mitchell.
Whai: Kyra Lambert, Sheniqua Greene, Tiarna Clarke, Sharne Robati, Esra McGoldrick, Kendell Heremaia, Matangiroa Flavell, Rosalia Samia, Jelena Vucinic.
