Becky Hammon: ‘She’s a baller, she’s a hooper, she’s another big body’
Monday was a hectic day in the sports world. The NHL began its free agency and off-season trades. Formula One, Indycar, and NASCAR were preparing for their races over the weekend. And in the WNBA, fans woke up to news that shocked the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings fandoms.
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Wings forward NaLyssa Smith was sent to the Aces for a 2027 first round draft pick. In response, Dallas was required to release guard Kaila Charles from her hardship contract.
“I do believe this is the best thing for her and her basketball career,” said Wings guard and Smith’s partner DiJonai Carrington in a video regarding the trade. “I’m super sad, but I’m super excited for her.
Smith, who went second overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft, has international awards to her name. In 2018, she won the gold medal with the USA 3×3 U18 National Team. In 2022, she won the bronze medal with the USA 3×3 AmeriCup squad. She also played internationally, playing in Turkey and in China.
Smith struggled with the Wings, averaging a career low of 6.6 points per game along with 5.1 rebounds. In the season before with the Indiana Fever, she averaged 10.6 points per game along with 7.1 rebounds.
Due to limited roster spots, the Aces were also required to waive a player. Along with acquiring Smith, the Aces had to prepare for the return of Megan Gustafson. Elizabeth Kitley and Tiffany Mitchell were both waived to create room on their roster.
Mitchell joined the team after a season with the Connecticut Sun. With the Sun, she averaged 4.9 points per game, along with 1.5 rebounds per game. With the Aces, she’s averaged 3.7 points per game, along with 1.8 rebounds. In her career, she’s totaled 2413 points and 671 rebounds.
“She’s a baller,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “That’s how she fits in. She’s a hooper, she can get stuff done on the court. Her rebounding, her natural physicality, she’s got a great offensive touch and feel, we’re trying to put her in spots to help her really be successful, take some of the load off of A’ja [Wilson] in scoring in the points, she’s just another tough big body.”
Kitley made her rookie debut this season after sitting out due to a torn ACL. In 12 games played, Kitley averaged 1.3 points per game, with a total of 15 points. She had 17 rebounds and averaged 1.4 per game.
Smith’s debut with the Aces was short of impressive, with the Aces falling to the Indiana Fever 81-54. Smith went -16 in her first appearance with the silver and black, nearly fouling out with five personal fouls. She had four points, going one for six from field goal range, and scoring two free throws. She managed seven rebounds, three being offensive and four being defensive.
The Aces took on the Connecticut Sun, defeating them 86-68. Smith had 11 points, going five for seven from field goal range. She was named a starter, taking the position of Aces big Kiah Stokes. Along with 11 points, she led the team in rebounds with 10, four being offensive and six being defensive. She managed an assist along with two steals.
“NaLyssa’s a very fast learner,” Wilson told reporters after the game. “We were throwing her in the fire, we were taking her through all that, and she’s showing that every single time. I hope that we can continue to communicate and talk, and she’s asking questions, and wanting to learn more.”
Smith, Wilson, and the Aces take on the New York Liberty on Tuesday. Tip off is set at 5 p.m. PST. The showdown between these rivals will be live on ESPN.
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