NaLyssa Smith Bio
NaLyssa Smith (born August 8, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). A power forward listed at 6 feet 4 inches, she previously played for the Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, and several international clubs. She is a WNBA champion, an NCAA champion with Baylor, and a former Wade Trophy winner.
Smith began her professional career in 2022 after a decorated college tenure and has since built a reputation as a versatile forward with scoring touch and rebounding strength. Beyond the WNBA, she has competed in Turkey, China, and Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball.
Early Life and Background
NaLyssa Smith was born on August 8, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. She grew up in the same city and attended East Central High School, where she starred on the basketball court under the guidance of her family. Her father, Rodney Smith, played basketball at the University of Texas at San Antonio, which gave NaLyssa an early connection to the sport and a clear sense of what a serious basketball path could look like.
As a senior at East Central High School, Smith averaged 23.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game, establishing herself as one of the most dominant post players in the country. She was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the number 3 recruit by ESPN, drawing scholarship interest from several powerhouse programs.
Smith ultimately chose to play college basketball at Baylor over other interested schools such as South Carolina, Ohio State, and Louisville. She also represented the United States at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, helping the team win a gold medal in Mexico City.
Path to Basketball
Smith entered Baylor as a McDonald’s All-American and quickly contributed to one of the most successful programs in college basketball. As a freshman, she came off the bench behind established stars Lauren Cox and Kalani Brown, but her energy and finishing around the rim earned her steady minutes during Baylor’s national championship season.
In the 2019 NCAA championship game, she stepped into a larger role when Cox was injured and responded with eight points and four rebounds to help Baylor defeat Notre Dame for the title. The experience gave Smith early exposure to championship-level basketball and confirmed her readiness to handle big moments.
By her sophomore year, Smith had been promoted into the starting lineup, where she averaged 14.3 points and 8 rebounds, earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, and led the team with 11 double-doubles. Her steady improvement set the stage for one of the most decorated individual seasons in Baylor history.
NaLyssa Smith Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Smith’s Baylor career began in 2018 as a reserve forward on a Baylor team loaded with experienced veterans. Coach Kim Mulkey praised her poise and credited her with quietly winning games for the Lady Bears while opposing defenses focused on Cox and Brown.
As she transitioned into a starting role, Smith averaged a near double-double during her junior year and was named Big 12 Player of the Year. In the NCAA Tournament, she scored 24 points against Michigan in the Sweet Sixteen and tied a tournament record by making 11 field goals without a miss, announcing herself as a true offensive force.
Baylor Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Her junior season also brought a wave of national recognition. Smith won the Wade Trophy, the Honda Sports Award, and the Katrina McClain Award in 2021, while earning All-American honors from the Associated Press, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, and the United States Basketball Writers Association.
As a senior in 2021–2022, Smith repeated as Big 12 Player of the Year and added Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors. She was again a first-team All-American and was named a WBCA Coaches’ All-American for the second time, closing her college career as one of the most decorated players in program history.
Indiana Fever Era (2022–2024)
On April 11, 2022, Smith was drafted second overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA draft. She joined a young roster and quickly made an impact, earning a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team alongside then teammate Queen Egbo.
Smith played three seasons with the Fever, growing into a consistent contributor as the team continued its rebuild. Her combination of scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence made her a foundational piece of Indiana’s long-term plans.
Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces Era (2025)
On February 2, 2025, Smith was traded to the Dallas Wings as part of a larger four-team deal, joining a new organization that had selected her as part of an 8th overall pick package. The trade signaled a fresh start for Smith heading into her fourth WNBA season.
On June 30, 2025, Smith was traded again, this time to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick. She finished the 2025 season in Las Vegas and was part of the Aces’ WNBA championship run, cementing her status as a proven winner at the professional level.
Playing Style and Strengths
Smith is a left-handed post player with a versatile inside-out game, capable of scoring with her back to the basket, finishing through contact, and stepping out to face up defenders. Her rebounding, shot-blocking, and court awareness allow her to impact both ends of the floor, while her experience in multiple systems has helped her adapt quickly to new teammates and coaching staffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s career highlights include an NCAA championship in 2019, the 2021 Wade Trophy, a WNBA All-Rookie Team selection in 2022, an Athletes Unlimited individual title in 2023, and a WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2025. She also set an Athletes Unlimited league record by scoring 50 points in the final game of the 2023 season.
NaLyssa Smith Career Wins
Across college, professional, and international play, NaLyssa Smith has built a résumé highlighted by team championships and individual honors. Her win total spans NCAA, WNBA, Athletes Unlimited, and FIBA competition, with consistent production in every league she has joined.
WNBA Highlights
Smith won a WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2025 after being traded midseason from the Dallas Wings. Earlier, she was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2022 as a member of the Indiana Fever, marking her as one of the top first-year players in the league that season.
Other Wins and Performances
Smith won the NCAA Division I Championship with Baylor in 2019 and the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball individual championship in 2023. She also helped the United States win gold at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and competed overseas for Galatasaray in Turkey and the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China.
| League | Team Titles | Individual Awards |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA (Baylor) | 2019 Champion | Wade Trophy, Honda Sports Award, Katrina McClain Award |
| WNBA | 2025 Champion (Las Vegas Aces) | 2022 All-Rookie Team |
| Athletes Unlimited | 2023 Individual Champion | League single-game scoring record (50 points) |
| FIBA U18 | 2018 Gold Medal | — |
NaLyssa Smith Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Smith is the daughter of Rodney Smith and Nikki Smith. Her father played college basketball at the University of Texas at San Antonio, which helped shape her early appreciation for the game. Her brother, Rodney Jr., played soccer at the University of Saint Mary.
Personal Life
Smith is in a relationship with professional basketball player DiJonai Carrington, who has also been a teammate during her WNBA career. She keeps her personal life largely private, focusing public attention on her basketball career and family ties.
2025 Season Performance
Smith’s 2025 season began with a trade to the Dallas Wings in February, where she joined a new organization looking to add experienced talent. The midseason trade to the Las Vegas Aces on June 30, 2025, placed her on one of the most competitive rosters in the WNBA.
With the Aces, Smith played a contributing role in the team’s championship run, helping Las Vegas capture the 2025 WNBA title. Her ability to integrate quickly into a new system reflected the versatility and professionalism she had developed across her first three professional seasons.
Outside the WNBA in 2025, Smith had signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association for the 2024–2025 season before being released due to an ankle injury. Looking ahead, her future with the Aces, combined with continued international opportunities, suggests she will remain a prominent figure in women’s basketball.