NaLyssa Smith silences critics with spectacular WCBA performance amid rumors of Indiana Fever departure
The power forward is regaining her former level in China.
NaLyssa Smith is giving head coach Stephanie White something to think about.
Caitlin Clark’s arrival to the Indiana Fever forced severe adjustments to the team’s lineup, relegating star players to secondary roles. One of these players, NaLyssa Smith, is experiencing a resurgence that will make the management rethink its hiring strategy for the upcoming free agency.
Until a couple of years ago, Smith was an undisputed starter in head coach Christie Sides’ lineup. In her first two years in the WNBA, Smith averaged 29.6 minutes, 14.5 points, 1.4 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Smith shines in the WCBA
Like many players, NaLyssa Smith looks to stay active by migrating to leagues overseas during the WNBA’s long hiatus. Last year, the Fever forward played for Galatasaray, and this year she decided to try her luck in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA).
On Thursday, the Fever posted a photo of Smith and Kelsey Mitchell with a message saying, “Kelsey Mitchell and the Shanxi Flame took the dub: 24 PTS | 7 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL. NaLyssa Smith got the double-double with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls: 25 PTS | 10 REB | 3 STL | 2 AST.”
The post sparked a flurry of speculation about the future of both players with the Fever, especially Smith. After rumors of a possible transfer in the upcoming free agency, her numbers with the Golden Bulls could force management to reexamine her case and, perhaps, extend her contract.
NaLyssa doesn’t feel the Love from the fever
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Shortly after the regular season ended, Smith surprised media and fans by erasing the Fever from her bio on X. However, after the departure of Sides and the arrival of Stephanie White at the helm, the forward once again included the team in her bio.
Speculation returned recently when Smith posted on X, “life is all about knowin’ yo worth, don’t stay nowhere u not wanted n appreciated.” Perhaps her performance in China will make the team appreciate her again and, who knows, maybe we’ll see her in the blue, red, and gold of the Fever in 2025.
Angel Reese is a victim of image-damaging campaign: ‘I’m sick of it. Time to sue’
The Chicago Sky star hits out at an alleged disinformation campaign
Angel Reese in actionLAPRESSE
Fans declare Angel Reese should sue after a headline uploaded to Snapchat suggests the Chicago Sky star is going to quit the WNBA after one year, as fans grow tired of the headlines around her.
One of the most popular and controversial players in women’s basketball, the 22-year-old is often in the news but now fans believe the boundary of acceptability has been crossed and thus she should make a stand for herself after the latest episode.
This time, the headline suggests she will quit the WNBA “again”, but the catch is that she never quit it to begin with meaning that this is misinformation at best and disinformation at worst and aims to use her image to collect clicks.
The outcome is that fans are left incensed and have taken to X.com, formerly Twitter, to voice their frustrations as they say the problem spans multiple social media platforms and not just Snapchat.
One user wrote, “I’m sick of it!! It’s time to sue!!”
A second added, “It’s getting out of hand honestly.”
Whilst a third said, “Can’t even search her name on YouTube it’s so bad.”
And a fourth concluded, “Disgusting, You Tube is bad as well! As a fan I just keep reporting everything that I can!”
Reese delivers message to critics
Reese, despite being so confidently outspoken, is yet to comment on the matter but she did recently take up issue with her critics after she attended an NBA game during her winter break as she watched the Boston Celtics take on the Orlando Magic.
The youngster backed the Magic for the win, through their association with Shaquille O’Neal who is her mentor, and she wasn’t disappointed as the scarcely-manned Floridian side won 1-8-104 at the Kia Center.
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Reese then took the chance to hit out at some of her haters online by rhetorically and sarcastically asking, “What’s my record now???”
She will next take to the WNBA court on May 17 when she takes on Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever to kick off the 2025 season. The Sky look to improve on their .325 record (13 wins) from the previous year.
