NaLyssa Smith Siblings: All About De’An Smith

NaLyssa Smith is an American professional basketball player currently making waves in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

She rose to prominence during her high school years at East Central High School, where she showcased her exceptional talent, averaging 23.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game as a senior.

This performance earned her a five-star recruit status and the No. 3 ranking by ESPN, paving the way for her successful college career at Baylor University.

Drafted second overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Smith has since become a key player in the league, known for her versatility, athleticism, and leadership on the court.

Siblings

NaLyssa has one known sibling, her brother De’An Smith.

Born to Rodney and Nikki Smith, both of whom have ties to athletics, NaLyssa and De’An grew up in a supportive environment that nurtured their individual talents.

De’An, however, pursued a different path in sports, focusing on soccer rather than basketball.

He played collegiate soccer at the University of Saint Mary in Kansas, after previously playing for the University of Houston at Victoria.

Career

Smith’s basketball career is a testament to her dedication and skill. After a stellar high school career, she committed to Baylor University, where she played from 2018 to 2022.

During her freshman year, Smith contributed off the bench, playing a key role in Baylor’s 2019 NCAA Division I Championship victory.

Her sophomore year saw her promoted to the starting lineup, where she averaged 14.3 points and 8 rebounds per game, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors.

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By her junior and senior years, Smith had established herself as one of the top players in women’s college basketball, averaging near double-doubles and leading Baylor in double-doubles during her senior season with a record-setting 26.

In 2022, Smith entered the WNBA Draft and was selected second overall by the Indiana Fever.

Her rookie season was impressive, as she averaged 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

She continued to develop her game, achieving a career-high 30 points and 15 rebounds in a single game against the Phoenix Mercury in June 2023.

In the 2024 season, while still with the Fever, she averaged 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, playing alongside rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.

On January 31, 2025, Smith was traded to the Dallas Wings in a three-team deal, finalized as part of a larger four-team trade on February 2, 2025.

Beyond the WNBA, Smith has also played internationally, signing with Galatasaray in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League in 2023 and briefly with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association for the 2024–2025 season, though she was released due to an ankle injury.

Accolades

Smith’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that highlight her exceptional talent and impact on the game.

During her time at Baylor, she won the NCAA Division I Championship in 2019 as a freshman.

In 2021, she received the prestigious Wade Trophy, recognizing her as the best player in women’s college basketball, along with the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s top power forward.

She was a two-time Big 12 Player of the Year (2021, 2022) and earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors three times (2020–2022).

Smith also garnered multiple All-American honors, including First-Team selections from the Associated Press, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), and the United States Basketball Writers Association in her junior and senior years.

In the WNBA, Smith was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2022, reflecting her immediate impact as a professional.

Internationally, she contributed to the United States women’s national under-18 basketball team’s gold medal win at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Mexico City.