THE Australian basketball system has been producing talent of extreme high quality over the last few years, with plenty of Aussie graduates either choosing to stay and compete in the nation’s high quality domestic competitions such as the WNBL, or some opt to head overseas for potentially greener pastures.

The development of female basketball in Australia has seen many locals head into the biggest league of them all in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States, with a large number having a level of success during their tenure. This number is only going to increase as success stories continue to emerge, and one of these stories is Alanna Smith.

Smith was born in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, where she quickly developed a knack for the sport of basketball. Although Tasmania’s basketball system was not the biggest in the world, let alone the country, she was soon recognised as one of the premier young basketball talents in Australia.

A move to Melbourne saw Smith excel at both basketball and volleyball during her time at Wesley College, as she emerged as an elite athlete at such a young age. A successful junior career saw recognition come at both domestic and international level.

An international debut came in 2011, when at just 15 years of age, Smith represented Australia in the FIBA U16’s Oceania Championship, which often sees some of Australia’s finest young talent come together and compete at the highest level. The following years saw more international action for Smith, who represented her country in the U16’s U17’s and U19’s Championship for the Sapphires.

She continued this trend by making her Opals debut at the FIBA Asia Cup, where she was a vital contributor for the squad, despite just being in her first tournament with the side. Throughout the matches, she averaged 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in a consistently strong series.

Throughout this time, she was also competing in the United States in the NCAA, which is considered the primary pathway to the WNBA and stardom. She joined Stanford University, where she became one of the most improved players of the competition throughout her tenure.

Despite a slower start on limited minutes, Smith took full advantage of her opportunities, particularly in the final two years of her four-year stint with Stanford. This came to fruition in her final season with the team, where she averaged 19.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, as she emerged as one of the league’s strongest performances and one of the best young prospects.

In the 2019 WNBA Draft, Smith was selected with the eighth overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury, with her impressive career at Stanford boosting her draft stock. She joined a team stacked full of talent, eager to make her mark and continue the momentum she gained from college.

Her first season saw limited minutes, which resulted in underwhelming numbers in most statistical categories, but this was out of her control. The following year saw a boost in court time, and she delivered averages of 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15 minutes per match. Her third season with the side saw those minutes decrease as she once again was forced to showcase her skills in limited court time.

If the pattern of increased minutes returns into her fourth season with the Mercury, Smith should continue to pay her coaches dividends with improved play. She demonstrated throughout her time with Stanford that if given the right amount of playing time, she can dominated on a nightly basis, so she is a big chance to make the next step of her career.