Baylor WBB’s Smith Among 11 Semifinalists for Naismith Trophy

[Robarts, Kyle]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – March 2, 2021

Baylor WBB’s Smith Among 11 Semifinalists for Naismith Trophy
Junior power forward in contention for National Player of the Year
For more information contact: Kyle Robarts, 254-405-9492, Kyle_Robarts at baylor.edu<mailto:Kyle_Robarts at baylor.edu>

Smith head shot: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5xfe1iu1x9f4tp/BU_WBB_Smith_NaLyssa_20-21.JPG?dl=0

WACO, Texas – Baylor junior power forward, and Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, NaLyssa Smith was named as one of 11 semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy honoring the top player in women’s college basketball, Tuesday.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the group, which included six five guards and six forwards/centers. Charli Collier from Texas joined Smith as the only other player from the Big 12 to receive consideration.

Smith ranks 4th in the Big 12 in rebounds per game (9.32) and 9th in scoring (18.1 ppg) for the No. 6-ranked Baylor Lady Bears that just wrapped up their 11th-consecutive and 12th overall Big 12 regular-season championship.

The Converse, Texas, native has scored in double figures in 20-straight contests for Baylor. She ranks second in the league in field-goal percentage at .535 and 6th in the Big 12 in free-throw percentage at .817.

Smith is highly decorated, in addition to Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, she was a preseason AP honorable mention All-American. As a sophomore, she earned honorable mention All-America honors from the AP and the WBCA.

She was part of the 2019 NCAA Championship team, scoring 14 points in the title-game win over Notre Dame, April 7. Baylor has had at least one nominee for the Naismith trophy every season since 2008 and at least a semifinalist in each of the past four seasons.


2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith Women's Trophy Semifinalists
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
FULL NAME
CLASS
POSITION
SCHOOL
CONFERENCE
Boston
Aliyah
Aliyah Boston
So.
F
South Carolina
SEC
Bueckers
Paige
Paige Bueckers
Fr.
G
UConn
BIG EAST
Clark
Caitlin
Caitlin Clark
Fr.
G
Iowa
Big Ten
Collier
Charli
Charli Collier
Jr.
F/C
Texas
Big 12
Cunane
Elissa
Elissa Cunane
Jr.
C
NC State
ACC
Evans
Dana
Dana Evans
Sr.
G
Louisville
ACC
Hillmon
Naz
Naz Hillmon
Jr.
F
Michigan
Big Ten
Howard
Rhyne
Rhyne Howard
Jr.
G
Kentucky
SEC
McDonald
Aari
Aari McDonald
Sr.
G
Arizona
Pac-12
Onyenwere
Michaela
Michaela Onyenwere
Sr.
F
UCLA
Pac-12
Smith
NaLyssa
NaLyssa Smith
Jr.
F
Baylor
Big 12


www.BaylorBears.com


___________________________________
Kyle Robarts | Associate Director, Athletics Communications (WBB, WTEN)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
O: 254-710-3042 | C: 254-405-9492

[cid:image001.png at 01D70F53.558523D0]<http://baylorbears.com/>
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