Alana Smith found her ‘home and’ family ‘with Minnesota Links, which originally appeared on Ethlon Sports.
Alana Smith has wore several caps during her WNBA career- spot starter, stretch forward, defensive expert. But in Minnesota, he was found to be something else: a clearly defined role on the claimant of a championship, anchor by the trust from the coaching staff and a real feeling.
“It just felt like coming back home for the family,” Smith said RG“Playing with people who cares you as a player and are out of court. And that you really meet.
Smith joined the links for two years in a fully guaranteed deal before the 2024 season. Since then, she has emerged as one of the most versatile and reliable two-way in the league, earning an all-defensive second team honor in 2024, while Minnesota helped reach the WNBA final. Now, in his second season, he took another jump.
In the beginning of 2025 season, Smith average 13.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 aid, 1.2 stolen, and 2.0 blocks per game, while 59.6% from the ground and 47.8% beyond arc. In particular, she is taking 3.0 per game 4.6 Threes in the previous season – and converting them to an elite rate.
Smith said, “Cheryl told me at the beginning of the year she wanted me to shoot more.” “And a player never wants to hear.”
Smith’s ability to spread the floor has complemented the All-WNBA forward nefesa Kolier, stealing an average of 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 support, and 2.4, united himself as a serious MVP candidate once again.
“When you are playing with someone like Phee, that is the reason you are able to get an open shot,” Smith said. “Everyone is focusing on it … but that too is selfless. She will leave it and make it out, which we need as a team.”
Define, Smith remains a fundamental piece of identification of links. Whether switching on guards, protecting paint, or moving from a weak side, he has become one of the most consistent help guards of the league.
“One of us is a couple who are our rescue anchors, especially in the help-side,” she explained. “This is usually me. We are a team that helps a lot, and is able to provide that every game is most important without failure.”
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After 30–10 campaigns in 2024 and a final appearance, Minnesota appears ready for another deep postsen push. Smith, who shot 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and about 40% from last season, is now playing the most efficient basketball of his career.
He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, but his role and relationship with links suggests that there is little desire to participate in it.
“As a player, you always want to be in a situation where your game speaks for yourself,” he said. “I have tried to do all this.”
And it is speaking loudly. From rim protection to three-point shooting to experienced leadership, Smith is doing everything, which needs links-and quietly to strengthen its value as the main piece of a team built on the trust.
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The story was originally reported by Ethlon Sports on June 1, 2025, where it first appeared.