NaLyssa Smith Named Naismith Player of the Year Finalist

WACO, Texas – Baylor senior NaLyssa Smith was named a finalist for the 2022 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy for Player of the Year, the organization announced Tuesday.

The 6-foot-4 forward was joined by Aliyah Boston (South Carolina), Caitlin Clark (Iowa) and Elissa Cunane (NC State).

Smith – the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year – has already been named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, the Associated Press and the USBWA.

She 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.

The Converse, Texas, native averaged 22.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game during the regular season. Her 25 double-doubles this year set a single-season Baylor record and was good for third in the country.

Smith is also in the running for two other national player of the year awards, including the John R. Wooden Award and the Wade Trophy.

Fans will be able to support their favorite finalist by visiting naismithtrophy.com/vote between March 22-29. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote.

The 2022 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year will be awarded Wednesday, March 30 during the Women’s Final Four in Minneapolis.