NaLyssa Smith

Personal: Majored in mass communications at Baylor … brother, Rodney, played college soccer at St. Mary’s (Kan.) and the University of Houston at Victoria … has a german shepherd … would be a model if not playing basketball … enjoys listening to music, cooking and gaming.

Other Professional Experience: Selected with No. 2 overall pick in 2022 WNBA Draft by Indiana … WNBA and Associated Press All-Rookie Team selection after averaging 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game … starter in all 32 games who also shot 41.9 percent from the field … one of seven players in the league to average at least 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game during 2022 campaign … ranked sixth in the WNBA in rebound average while leading all rookies … posted second-best scoring season by a rookie in Indiana history with 433 points … also ranks third on Fever’s rookie rebound (253) and double-doubles (8) list … earned invitation to WNBA Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Chicago. 

International Experience: Member of Gold medal-winning Team USA at 2022 3x3 AmeriCup, averaging 5.4 points per game … shot 16-for-37 (.432) from the field over five games while going 11-of-15 at the free throw line … competed on 2018 USA Basketball Women’s U-18 National Team … helped United States win Gold medal at FIBA World Championships by averaging 11.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game … selected to 2019 USA Basketball Women’s U-19 National Team, but withdrew due to injury concerns.

College Experience: Four-year letter winner at Baylor who appeared in 132 games from 2018-22 … started 94 contests, including all 35 games during senior season … one of seven players in program history to register 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds … 2021 Wade Trophy honoree as the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s National Player of the Year … also named Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards’ Honda Sport Award winner after junior season … two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year … earned All-Big 12 First Team recognition three times … two-time recipient of the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s top power forward … garnered seven All-America commendations as a senior, including six First Team selections … also claimed First-Team All-America recognition from Associated Press, ESPN.com, WBCA and John R. Wooden in junior campaign along with Second-Team All-America notice from United States Basketball Writers Association … set Baylor single-season record with 26 double-doubles as a senior … netted 30 points in a game six times, including career-high 37 points against Oklahoma in Big 12 Championship semifinal … secured Mayan Division MVP honors at the 2021 Cancun Challenge … honored as 2021 Big 12 Championship Most Outstanding Player after averaging 18.7 points and 11.0 rebounds over three games … Honorable Mention All-America pick by WBCA and Associated Press after scoring team-high 14.3 points per game as a sophomore … only freshman on Baylor roster to appear in all 38 games during 2018-19 NCAA championship campaign.