Smith Finding Her Stride
In a season that’s brimming with potential to break out, NaLyssa Smith is finding her way with her three co-stars. While she was left out of the initial lineup early in the season Smith’s return to the top five players has allowed her to move into an entirely new level.
By Madie Chandler | FeverBasketball.com
The No. 2 selection in the 2022 WNBA draft is a top 16 rebounder for the team, taking home seven each game. This is less than Indiana’s team leader Aliyah Boston by just an inch per contest.
“I want to keep rebounding hard,” Smith stated. “I know I can be one of the best rebounders in this league.”
Vote for the Fever for WNBA All-Star 2024 at feverbasketball.com/vote >>
She ranks among the top 14 players in the WNBA in field goal percentage as well she has sunk 50.3 percent of the shots she takes. She is the highest in this category and has had nine games with a 50 percent or higher field goal percentages.
“We just really keep talking about paint touches,” coach Christie Sides said. “You’ve to be getting paint touches…If you happen to get an accidental paint stroke that’s all it takes to break up the defense. Particularly in light of the way BostonSmith] and [Boston] playing. You have to be able to move around with your post, but it’s not like you can just run around expecting to hit every shot. They create wide-open images.”
Smith’s scoring has proved to be a crucial element in Indiana’s success this season. She’s scored at least double numbers in seven of Indiana’s victories. The combination of her and new guard Caitlin Clark can boost Indiana’s efficiency because she takes advantage Clark’s ability to attract defenders towards the outside. In the end, Smith has the benefit of more post-game touches, hitting the majority of shots near the rim and 59 per cent of her shots are within 10 ‘ of the basketball.
“It’s been a focus for us as a group,” Clark stated. “We are looking to be in a position to play inside-out. We’re looking to improve the posts to touch so the better we are able to achieve that, the better. NaLyssa. ]…That’s the most effective shot you can get in basketball. It’s the shot you’d like to achieve.”
Smith’s triple-doubles of three this season are tied with Clark for second-highest by the Fever player, just behind Boston’s five. Smith has been a reliable player both on and off the field however, Smith can be found on the defensive side as well.
“I’ve been challenged a lot this year defensively,” Smith stated. “I took it as a challenge…I started taking defense a lot more seriously.”
Smith has a little over one block per game – which has seen an increase after her first two seasons as a player. Smith’s total block count for the entire 2023 season was 10. She’s already increased that number by securing 21 blocks over only 19 games during this season. Smith has hit 10 shots in the Fever’s past seven games in stark contrast to her block totals a mere season earlier.
As she continues to climb, Smith looks to play her way into the courts in Phoenix in 2024 with the WNBA All-Stars. If she can continue her impressive performance, she could be the chance to be on the All-Star frontcourt.