Kaleena Smith is a standout player driving the growth of women’s basketball.
The 2024 WNBA Draft etched its mark in history as the most-watched draft ever in the league’s annals. Tickets vanished within minutes as the league, for the first time in years, opened its doors to the public. This surge signals the undeniable arrival and permanence of women’s basketball, with the WNBA standing as the global stage where premier players shine— a dream destination for young girls worldwide aspiring to see their names grace the back of their very own WNBA jerseys. Among these rising stars is Kaleena Smith.
Youth competing on international stage
Facilitating the U17 Women’s Team, USA Basketball curates a squad of 12 players under 17 years old, who compete on the international stage at the FIBA U17 World Cup against the world’s top 16 teams. Many of these talents continue their journey to collegiate basketball. Securing a spot on this elite roster signifies not only fierce competition, but also opens doors to myriad opportunities, serving as a seal of anticipation for these budding luminaries.
The talented Kaleena Smith
Smith, among the chosen dozen for the 2024 roster, stands out even amidst the team’s overflowing talent, having just completed her freshman year of high school. Honored as the MaxPreps National Player of the Year, Smith boasts numerous NCAA offers. Her gameplay clips frequently go viral on social media, showcasing her exceptional court vision, and threading passes through narrow openings to her future teammates.
Attending California’s Ontario Christian, a private school, Smith has now etched her name in the school’s record books for scoring. While the basketball program was once obscure, a mere blip on the radar, a new coach and the recruitment of taller, bigger, and faster players transformed its fate. As these players graduated, doubts loomed over the program’s resurgence until the emergence of Kaleena Smith, dubbed “Special K.”
Though she drew attention during her middle school years, Smith’s platform expanded exponentially as a high schooler. Dropping over 20 points per game, she mesmerizes fans with a style and flair reminiscent of college and professional levels.
Women’s basketball
The journey of women’s basketball greatness doesn’t merely commence or culminate in the WNBA or NCAA; it starts in the bustling gyms of middle and high schools, teeming with spectators hungry for extraordinary basketball prowess.
