NaLyssa Smith Bio
NaLyssa Smith (born August 8, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She won a national championship at Baylor as a freshman in 2019 and earned the prestigious Wade Trophy in 2021 as the top women’s college player. After being selected second overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA draft, she has built a reputation as a productive forward and rebounder.
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 developed into one of the top high school prospects in the country. As a senior, she averaged 23.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game, numbers that reflected her dominant two-way play in the paint.
A five-star recruit, Smith was ranked as the number three overall player by ESPN in her recruiting class. She chose to play college basketball at Baylor over several other powerhouse programs, including South Carolina, Ohio State, and Louisville. The decision to join the Lady Bears set the stage for an immediate impact at the collegiate level.
Smith comes from an athletic family. She is the daughter of Rodney Smith and Nikki Smith, and her father played basketball at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her brother, Rodney Jr., played soccer at the University of Saint Mary, giving NaLyssa a strong sports background from an early age.
Path to Basketball
Smith’s path to elite basketball began in San Antonio, where she used her height and instincts to control games at East Central High School. Her ability to score, rebound, and block shots made her a matchup problem for opponents and caught the attention of national recruiters. By the end of her high school career, she had established herself as one of the most decorated players in Texas.
Internationally, Smith represented the United States at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, helping the American team win the gold medal in Mexico City. She was also selected for the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup roster but withdrew because of injury concerns. These experiences helped prepare her for the rigors of college and professional competition.
NaLyssa Smith Career
Early Career at Baylor
Smith joined the Baylor Lady Bears as a freshman in 2018 and quickly earned a role on a championship-caliber team. Coming off the bench behind star post players Lauren Cox and Kalani Brown, she delivered steady minutes and made timely contributions. Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey praised Smith for winning key games because opposing defenses focused their attention on the team’s established stars.
In the 2019 NCAA Championship game against Notre Dame, Smith was called upon to replace an injured Cox and responded with eight points and four rebounds to help Baylor secure the national title. Her poise as a freshman on college basketball’s biggest stage foreshadowed her future as a leading post player.
Big 12 Stardom and the Wade Trophy (2020-2021)
As a sophomore, Smith was promoted into Baylor’s starting lineup and averaged 14.3 points and 8 rebounds per game on her way to first-team All-Big 12 honors. She led the Lady Bears with 11 double-doubles, showcasing her consistency and production as a frontcourt anchor.
Smith’s junior year cemented her status as one of the nation’s elite players. She averaged a near double-double and was named Big 12 Player of the Year. In the NCAA Tournament, she scored 24 points in Baylor’s Sweet Sixteen game against Michigan and tied a tournament record by making 11 field goals without a miss.
Her dominant junior campaign earned her the Wade Trophy, the Honda Sports Award, and the Katrina McClain Award, along with All-American honors from the Associated Press, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, and the United States Basketball Writers Association. The Wade Trophy recognized her as the top women’s college basketball player in the country.
WNBA Career with the Indiana Fever (2022-2024)
On April 11, 2022, NaLyssa Smith was selected second overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA draft. She joined a young roster and immediately contributed as a versatile forward, pairing scoring with strong rebounding. Her rookie production was rewarded with a selection to the WNBA All-Rookie Team alongside former Baylor teammate Queen Egbo.
Smith spent three seasons with the Fever and became a central piece of the team’s rebuild. On January 31, 2025, reports indicated that she would be sent to the Dallas Wings as part of a multi-team deal, a transaction that was officially completed on February 2, 2025 as part of a larger four-team trade. Her time in Indiana showcased her growth into a reliable scoring and rebounding threat in the WNBA.
Las Vegas Aces Era (2025-Present)
On June 30, 2025, Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for the Aces’ first-round pick in the 2027 WNBA draft. The move gave her a fresh opportunity with one of the league’s championship contenders. With the Aces, she brought rebounding, interior scoring, and playoff experience to a veteran roster.
Playing Style and Strengths
NaLyssa Smith stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and plays with a classic post-forward style. She excels at scoring around the rim, finishing through contact, and crashing the offensive glass, while also showing the footwork to face up from mid-range. Her rebounding numbers have consistently ranked among the league’s best, and she reads the ball off the rim with strong timing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s career highlights include winning an NCAA championship with Baylor in 2019, earning the Wade Trophy in 2021, and being named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2022. In 2025, she added a WNBA championship to her resume as a member of the Las Vegas Aces. Each milestone has reflected her steady rise from Texas high school standout to title-winning professional.
NaLyssa Smith Career Wins
NaLyssa Smith has compiled a decorated résumé across multiple levels of women’s basketball. Her championship pedigree began at Baylor, continued through professional competition abroad, and now includes a WNBA title.
WNBA Highlights
Smith won the WNBA championship in 2025 with the Las Vegas Aces after being acquired midseason from Dallas. Earlier in her career, she earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors in 2022 with the Indiana Fever and became a fixture in the team’s rotation. Her ability to produce double-doubles has been a consistent feature of her professional career.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her WNBA success, Smith won the NCAA Division I Championship with Baylor in 2019 and the Athletes Unlimited League title in 2023. She also captured a gold medal with the United States at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Overseas, she played for Galatasaray in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League and for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association during the 2024-2025 season before her release due to an ankle injury.
NaLyssa Smith Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
NaLyssa Smith is the daughter of Rodney Smith and Nikki Smith, and she grew up in San Antonio, Texas, in a supportive athletic household. Her father, Rodney, played college basketball at UTSA, and her brother, Rodney Jr., played soccer at the University of Saint Mary. That family foundation helped shape her competitive drive and work ethic.
Personal Life
NaLyssa Smith is in a relationship with DiJonai Carrington, her former teammate at Baylor. The couple have been connected through basketball throughout their college and professional careers. Smith continues to focus on her playing career while maintaining a close-knit family life.
2025 Season Performance
Smith’s 2025 season began with her inclusion in the multi-team deal that sent her to the Dallas Wings on February 2, 2025. She did not stay in Dallas long, as a June 30, 2025 trade brought her to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick. The midseason move placed her on a championship-caliber roster and gave her a clear opportunity to chase a title.
With the Aces, Smith contributed rebounding and interior scoring during the second half of the 2025 WNBA season. Her role complemented the team’s veteran core, and she helped stabilize the frontcourt rotation. The season concluded with Smith earning a WNBA championship ring as part of the Las Vegas Aces.
Looking ahead, Smith remains a core piece of the Aces’ plans and a player whose trajectory suggests continued growth. With a championship now on her resume, her next goals center on expanding her offensive range and remaining a double-double threat every time she steps on the floor.