rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
HENDERSON, Nev. — As she generally does, NaLyssa Smith shared the Las Vegas Aces’ latest workout post to her Instagram story.
This one carried and added sentiment: “love it here.”
The third stop during a four-year professional career, Smith feels as if she’s found a home in Las Vegas
And not because the Aces won their third WNBA championship in four years, with her playing a pivotal role after arriving midseason via trade with the Dallas Wings.
No, three months after cruising down Las Vegas Boulevard on a double-decker bus during the team’s championship parade, the 25-year-old said she’s finally had some time to come down from the emotional high, embrace what’s been placed in her life, find a deeper appreciation for her faith, and, most importantly, give herself the grace those who know the real NaLyssa Smith have always said she deserves.
“I think it’s just been support throughout this whole time, from the time we won to now – the engagement,” Smith told The Sporting Tribune during a recent sit-down following one of her workouts at the team’s facility. “It’s a huge culture here, and I think it’s something that you really have to embrace and be grateful for.”
After spending her first three seasons with the Indiana Fever, where the No. 2 overall pick from the 2022 WNBA Draft averaged 13.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game collectively, Smith was sent to Dallas.
Outside noise aligned the move with Caitlin Clark’s arrival, and what many believed was a tumultuous relationship after Smith’s productivity dipped slightly once everything centered around the league’s newest star.
Others believed the Wings were looking for significant pieces toward their roster overhaul with the arrival of Paige Bueckers, believing Smith could fit perfectly with a newly installed system. But Smith struggled, to no fault of her own, averaging just 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in less than 20 minutes per game through 18 games.
Out of nowhere, the Aces came calling, something Smith said she “never seen this coming” in a post on social media. It turned out to be the most beneficial move of her career, and one of the most brilliant president Nikki Fargas and coach Becky Hammon pulled off.
“I think I went to a lot of programs where maybe I just didn’t fit perfectly well with that team,” Smith said. “But I think coming here, (I) was kind of that missing piece to the puzzle where it’s like, I’m playing around so many players that are going to help me grow and just build my game. I think that’s probably like the biggest difference with everything.
“I think people always knew I could play, I think it was just a fit.”
In 27 regular-season games with Las Vegas, Smith averaged 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Not a huge uptick from her time in Dallas, but it was her mere presence that made a difference.
She was the perfect elixir for what was inhibiting the Aces in the paint and limiting reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson to what she is capable of doing.
For her, the team, and the fan base, who gravitated to her with love from the moment she was announced in the starting lineup for the first time.
Smith has always had fans since her highly decorated college career, but she’s always caught shade, too. Especially since her professional career began. For every four fans supporting her on her social media, there might be four others blaming her for something, attacking her game or character, or simply trolling.
“You’re always gonna have those people that try to steal your energy,” Smith said. “But I think also, this (past) year has helped me. I feel like … something just snapped in my head, where it’s like, I really don’t give that stuff (any) energy no more. I think I was giving too much energy to people who never really knew me. Like, you know me as a basketball player, (but) you’ve never met me a day in your life. So I think I was giving that too much energy.
“But I think now, from a culture standpoint, I have so many more people that back me, that send me scriptures, that send me motivational stuff. And I think that helps a lot too. … I think it kind of helps (to) stay level (headed) when you’re in a place that is surrounded by love.”
Her story since arriving in Las Vegas is no secret, from sharing a birthday with Wilson, the two forming an instant bond, her immediate impact on the team, and her role as the Aces turned an 8-8 start into one of the most memorable season turnarounds, with Smith being a major cog in the engine.
The newest chapter in this feel-good story, however, is how this offseason has been much different for the former two-time All-American and 2019 national champion from Baylor.
“I think it’s been great, honestly,” Smith said. “The staff has been a tremendous help; they’re always reaching out to me. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear from the coaches, and I think that’s a huge difference (from) some of the programs I’ve been (with). (You) don’t really hear from anybody, but I think here is a lot more hands-on.
“We’re always working out, and even when I’m at home, they’re sending me workouts and sending me clips of things to do. And I think it’s gonna help my game grow tremendously.”
With one of the league’s most state-of-the-art facilities, and her mental health in the best state it’s been during an offseason, it’s conceivable Smith could be headed toward a career season in being able to start training camp with the Aces alongside Wilson, both under coach Becky Hammon.
Smith said she is looking forward to “finally becoming my best self.”
“I have all the resources, I have all the people to lean on,” she said. “And I think it’s just a time where I can finally embrace that, because there’s nothing that they don’t have that can’t help me here. So I think this offseason has just helped my mind grow a lot more.”
Before Smith returns to the court as a reigning WNBA champion, she’ll head to Athletes Unlimited in Nashville as the first returning overall champion.
Smith, who was part of the first group announced last July for the Class of 2026, will be joined by Aces teammates Kiah Stokes, Aaliyah Nye and Kierstan Bell.
Smith said she’s looking forward to bringing her newfound energy and outlook on life, not to mention an Aces vibe, to the player-driven league.
“I’m just excited to start playing against competition again, just getting back out there, getting your feet wet and taking all the stuff that I’ve learned here and taking it to AU,” said Smith, who averaged 24.2 points and 12.3 rebounds per game during her championship run in 2023. “I’m just excited to finally get out there and just do what we do.”
Another aspect of excitement for Smith is being able to spend time with her brother, Rodney Jr., who has lived in Nashville for several years. The AU housing and facility is located close to her brother, so having her Aces teammates in the league, playing alongside players she may never get the chance to play with otherwise and having family close by should keep her trademark smile bright.
“I love when you go into a new place, and you get to build connections and build friendships,” Smith said. “I think that’s a big thing with these offseason leagues, you get to talk to people you would never normally talk to and play with. So I think I’m excited for that … (and) I’m excited to spend the summer with (Rodney), and get out and horseback ride, fish, hunt – everything that Nashville brings and just embrace that culture out there.”
It’s the common theme for Smith these days, who’s finally able to enjoy the life she’s worked hard for, and the respect she’s finally getting in Las Vegas, where she’s found the happiness she’s long deserved.
