NaLyssa Smith

Devote too much time to admiring the production of the Indiana Fever’s No. 1 picks over the last two seasons, and it won’t be long before the must-watch franchise introduces you to their just-as-dangerous No. 2 selection from the 2022 WNBA Draft. Back in Indiana’s starting lineup and rapidly putting in noteworthy numbers of her own, the electric Indiana forward settles into open space on offense’s weak side before easing into a spot-up 3-pointer for the 1,000th point — just Indiana’s 18th player to reach that milestone — of her evolving career. Concentrated into a zone that observers could sense even from afar, Smith spent the first quarter’s entirety working cuts and perfectly-timed rim-runs to sneak behind the Seattle Storm’s defense for a 15-point first half, including Indiana’s first six. The third-year talent springboarded that early success into a return-to-form type of game, erupting for 23 points (on 8-of-14 from the field), 10 rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in a contentious loss on May 30, 2024.