The 2024 WNBA season continues to entertain fans like never before, with stars such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese changing the landscape of the sport.
The two rookies have wasted no time in stamping their mark on the sport with the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky respectively, while more seasoned players such as A’ja Wilson have been lighting up the league with their performances.
Caitlin Clark in hilarious moment with her unexpected response to a reporter
But there is a feeling that even the star names could be doing better, and that’s certainly the view of Clark’s team-mate NaLyssa Smith, who set herself an ambitious target to catch Wilson and Reese.
Smith has caught the eye with her preference for a fast-paced game, while her rebound statistics are off the charts. She is averaging 11.9 points a game but 6.9 rebounds, making her a key player in regaining possession of the ball.
But right now, the 23-year-old is focusing on improving her game after setting herself a new target following the Fever’s fourth straight win with a 91-79 success over the Atlanta Dream.
“I’m trying to get back to double-doubles every game. I want to keep rebounding hard. I know I could be one of the best rebounders,” Smith told reporters in the post-game press conference.
The closest Smith came to a double-double this season was in that game against Atlanta, where scored 21 points and nine rebounds while shooting an impressive 58.8% from the field.
NaLyssa Smith’s target to close gap on A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese
As it stands, Smith is ranked 35th in the league for her average rebound stats, but the last two years indicated she can improve on those numbers.
In her rookie season, Smith averaged 7.9 rebounds-per-game and ranked sixth in the same stat. Her previous year was even more productive, as she collected 9.2 rebounds per game in the postseason.
On both occasions, the two-time WNBA champion Wilson was above her and that has inspired the Indiana ace to strive to improve.
Not only has she challenged her with the ambitious target, she will be gunning for Reese too, who sits 31st in the rankings, and with the Fever improving with every game, it may just be a matter of time.
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