Height: 6-4
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Years Pro: 1
College: Baylor
Drafted: By Indiana, first round, 2022 WNBA Draft (2nd overall)

Overview: As the third ever draft pick made at No. 2 overall in Indiana Fever history, forward NaLyssa Smith lived up to the expectations in her first season with the Fever, earning AP All-Rookie Honors. Smith started all 32 games played in during the 2022 campaign and averaged 13.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and shot 41.9 percent from the field. Smith was one of seven players in the WNBA to average at least 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and one assist per game in 2022, joining Sylvia Fowles, Jonquel Jones, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson. In Smith’s rookie season, she was the leading rebounder among rookies and sixth in the WNBA in rebounds per game, second among rookies in scoring average and averaged the second most minutes played among first-year players. Among Fever rookie seasons in franchise history, Smith finished with the second best rookie-scoring season (433 points), made the second most field goals (160 made field goals), the third best rookie-rebounding season (253 rebounds) and finished with the third most double-doubles recorded with eight. The rest of the 2022 WNBA rookie class only combined for nine such performances during the regular season. Smith’s vast skillset also led her to earning an invitation to the WNBA Skills Challenge, as part of WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Following the season, Smith also earned an invite to the 2022 USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp.

Notable Performances:
May 6: Smith wasted no time showing her presence to the WNBA with a 13-point, 13-rebound performance in the regular season opener at the Washington Mystics.
May 13: In the greatest rebounding game recorded in franchise history, Smith finished with 12 points and a career-high 17 rebounds as the Fever defeated the Liberty, 92-86, in overtime. Indiana pulled down a franchise best 57 rebounds on the night and was the first of four games scoring in double figures for Smith.
June 12: Smith scored a then career-high 21 points to go along with 14 rebounds and a season-best four assists in the 84-80 win at the Minnesota Lynx.
June 19: Against the defending WNBA champion Chicago Sky, Smith finished with a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds in the 89-87 win at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
July 21: In her first matchup against Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces, Smith ended the night with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, highlighted by a career-best five made 3-point field goals.
July 31: Smith rounded out a three-game in 11-day stretch against the Aces with another 18-point, 13-rebound double-double, including seven boards on the offensive end. It was the eighth and final double-double of the season for Smith.