DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith are separated again. After Baylor, the WNBA power couple played on different teams, and right when they had the best chance to be together, Smith left for China to play in the Women’s China Basketball League.

Carrington took to social media to express her grief about being thousands of miles away from her girlfriend. In a post on her Instagram story, the reigning WNBA Most Improved Player posted a video of them involved in a PDA-loaded moment on a basketball court.

While DiJonai Carrington wore a skirt and paired it with a yellow crop top, Smith was in her shorts and a printed white sweatshirt. The couple danced together, and Smith even planted a kiss on Carrington.

“We’re used to long distance ofc, but this time it’s a 15 hour time difference & we’re 6,500 miles apart,” Carrington wrote below her IG story.

“I miss you lovebug.”

DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith [Credit: IG/@dijonai__]

DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith have been together since they played together for Baylor University. Carrington declared for the draft a year early in 2021. She was selected by the Connecticut Sun on 20th overall in the 2nd round of the draft.

A year later, Smith was selected 2nd overall in 2022 by the Indiana Fever. Last year, Smith also played in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League.

NaLyssa Smith leaves an emotional note for girlfriend DiJonai Carrington

Playing on a different continent, away from each other, has been difficult for the couple. Before DiJonai Carrington made a post dedicated to her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith also made a post on her social media in dedication to her Connecticut Sun star.

She posted an image of herself with Carrington in the frame and wrote that she was missing her partner.

“Miss’n my old ladyyy,” Smith wrote in the caption.

DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith have a selfie moment together [Credit: IG/@nalyssasmith]

While NaLyssa Smith has decided to play for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China, Carrington is set to play in the first-ever Unrivaled, a 3X3 league, in January of next year. She is one of the many WNBA players who have joined the Unrivaled to avoid going overseas while also earning money with the United States.

According to NBA Sports, the 3X3 league will pay its players an average of $250,000. Moreover, the players participating will also get equity in the league. There is no clarity over how much Smith will earn through her salary with the WCBA team.

While earning their living and playing basketball keep them apart, love has always kept them together and will continue to do so.