WACO, Texas – Baylor senior NaLyssa Smith was named a unanimous First-Team All-American by the Associated Press, the organization announced Wednesday. This marks the second-straight first-team selection for Smith.
The 6-foot-4 forward was joined by Aliyan Boston (South Carolina), Caitlin Clark (Iowa), Rhyne Howard (Kentucky), Naz Hillmon (Michigan) and Haley Jones (Stanford) on the first team.
A Converse, Texas, native, Smith is the fourth Bear to receive multiple first-team selections for the program, joining Sophia Young (2005-06), Brittney Griner (2011-13) and Odyssey Sims (2012-14).
Smith – the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year – has already been named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and The Athletic last week.
She’s led Baylor to its 13th Big 12 regular-season title and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Smith recently became one of seven Bears to reach the 2,000-point / 1,000-rebound mark in her career. She is fifth nationally with 22.5 points per game and ninth nationally with 11.5 rebounds per game. Her 24 double-doubles this season set a Baylor record and is good for third in the country.
The AP selected Smith as an honorable mention All-American in 2020 before naming her a first-team member in 2021. Smith is also in the running for three national player of the year awards, including the John R. Wooden Award, the Wade Trophy and the Naismith Trophy.
Baylor is scheduled to face Hawaii at 3 p.m. on ESPN2 in the Ferrell Center to open the 2022 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
For the latest news on the Baylor women’s basketball team all season long, follow its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.
First Team
Aliyah Boston*, South Carolina
Caitlin Clark*, Iowa
NaLyssa Smith*, Baylor
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Haley Jones, Stanford
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
Second Team
Ayoka Lee, Kansas State
Ashley Joens, Iowa State
Aneesah Morrow, DePaul
Khayla Pointer, LSU
Elissa Cunane, NC State
Third Team
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Maddy Siegrist, Villanova
Veronica Burton, Northwestern
Cameron Brink, Stanford
Angel Reese, Maryland
* Unanimous pick
Hands down is RIGHT!!!! Well said!Dr. J said:
She should be the AP/SI/NCAA/Wooden National POTY, hands down.
The all around package of scoring, rebounding, double/doubles and defense on a team that is not stacked (like South Carolina).
Has contributed more to her team per win than any of the others.
