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It took a few seasons for Alanna Smith to finally get a consistent opportunity in the league. In her first three seasons of her career, she played with Phoenix, with her only season with a real role being in the Wubble. After playing just nine games in 2022 with the Fever, Smith solidified her position in the league with a breakout season for the Sky. She started just one of the nine games in 2022 with the Fever but started 35 out of 38 for Chicago.
In the 2023 season, Smith averaged 26 minutes per game, 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and blocks respectively on 50% shooting. All of those stats were career-highs; her points increased by 5, rebounds by 3; and she finished top-15 in steals, top-12 in offensive rebounds, and top-10 in blocks. I had her as my most improved player last year, considering she was out of the league the year prior. She not only reached career-highs in every stat total but was a pivotal piece of the team that dealt with a brand new team and a head coach leaving mid-season after a 7-9 start to the season.
Smith is a talented offensive player and brings so many intangibles and so much passion to the game. Alanna has the ability to score in the post, off the pick and roll, both as the roller and popping out. While her three-point shot wasn’t great percentage-wise, she reached a career-high in that category too. Being as young as she is you can expect it to continue to progress. She has great defensive instincts, is an intelligent help defender, and has beautiful timing on steals and blocks. She’ll bring the ability to play multiple positions and a ton of heart to the Minnesota Lynx. She can play next to Napheesa Collier, Diamond Miller, and Dorka Juhasz and be the perfect surrounding piece around them.
Here are just a few of her best performances from last season.
18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, game-tying layup to send to OT in win vs IND
19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks vs LA
9 points, 17 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks
https://x.com/espnw/status/1666236502324703232?s=46
Alanna Smith Full 2023 Season Highlights | Chicago Sky
Smith does need her efficiency shooting the three ball, and at the free throw line to elevate her game even further. She will draw good looks and opportunities playing with Phee and Diamond with the pressure they can create with the ball in their hands. With another successful offseason and also getting ready for an attempt at a Gold Medal run with her Australian National Team, this should be another season of improvement for Alanna.
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