- Source: NaLyssa Smith
NaLyssa Smith (born August 8, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA). She played college basketball for Baylor, winning the NCAA Division I Championship in 2019 and the Wade Trophy in 2021. She was drafted second overall by the Fever in the 2022 WNBA draft.
Early life
Smith grew up in San Antonio and played at East Central High School, averaging 23.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game as a senior. A five-star recruit and the no. 3 recruit by ESPN, Smith committed to playing college basketball at Baylor over schools such as South Carolina, Ohio State, and Louisville.
College career
= Freshman year
=As a freshman, Smith came off the bench for the Lady Bears and provided steady minutes. Baylor coach, Kim Mulkey, praised Smith and said that she won many games for the Bears during their national championship season because opposing teams were too focused on the team's star players, Lauren Cox and Kalani Brown. In the national championship game, she came off the bench to replace an injured Cox and put up eight points and four rebounds to help Baylor win the title over Notre Dame.
= Sophomore year
=Smith was promoted into the starting lineup in her sophomore year and improved on her production, averaging 14.3 points and 8 rebounds en route to earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. She also led the Lady Bears in double-doubles with a total of 11.
= Junior year
=Smith continued to improve, averaging a near double-double and winning Big 12 Player of the Year.
In the NCAA tournament, Smith scored 24 points in the Lady Bears' Sweet Sixteen match against Michigan and tied a tournament record for most field goals made without a miss with 11.
Smith's stellar season garnered her a number of awards, such as the Wade Trophy, the Katrina McClain Award, and All-American honors from the Associated Press, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and the United States Basketball Writers Association.
Professional career
= WNBA
=Indiana Fever (2022–present)
On April 11, 2022, Smith was drafted second overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA draft, and would go on to be selected to the WNBA All-Rookie Team alongside then teammate, Queen Egbo.
= Overseas
=Galatasaray
On August 30, 2023, she signed with Galatasaray of the Turkish Women's Basketball Super League (TKBL).
Zhejiang
Smith signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2024–2025 season.
National team career
Smith was a member of the United States women's national under-18 basketball team at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, helping them win the gold medal in Mexico City.
She was selected to represent the United States women's national under-19 basketball team at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup, but withdrew due to injury concerns.
Career statistics
= WNBA
=Regular season
Stats current through end of 2024 regular season
Playoffs
= College
=Personal life
Smith is the daughter of Rodney and Nikki Smith. Her father played basketball at UTSA, and her brother, Rodney Jr., played soccer at the University of Saint Mary.
References
External links
Career statistics and player information from WNBA.com and Basketball Reference
Baylor Lady Bears profile
USA Basketball profile
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- NaLyssa Smith
- Baylor Bears women's basketball
- DiJonai Carrington
- List of Women's National Basketball Association players
- 2023 Athletes Unlimited Basketball season
- 2024 Indiana Fever season
- East Central High School (Texas)
- Converse, Texas
- List of people from San Antonio
- 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball All-Americans
