Las Vegas Aces’ NaLyssa Smith Credits Her Parents, Rodney And Nikki, For Instilling A Passion For Sports That Shaped Her WNBA Career

NaLyssa Smith is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA who recently made headlines with her trade to the Las Vegas Aces.

The Dallas Wings recently traded forward NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces on June 30, 2025, in exchange for the Aces’ first-round draft pick in 2027.

Over 18 games with the Wings this season, Smith averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting .425 from the field.

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With her rising career, NaLyssa Smith is not only winning the hearts of millions but also piquing their curiosity about her personal life, including details about her parents and family background.

NaLyssa Smith was born on August 8, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas, as the youngest child to parents Rodney Smith and Nikki Owens Smith.

Furthermore, the WNBA star often expresses her love and respect for her parents, crediting them for instilling in her the passion and love for sports that shaped her basketball career.

"We have always instilled in her to prove people wrong, don't ever let people doubt you. Don't let people think that you're not better or you are not competing," said Nikki Smith, NaLyssa Smith's mother.

While her mother, Nikki Smith, didn’t play sports, being a former model, she taught her daughter the importance of hard work and determination.

NaLyssa’s mother, Nikki, hasn’t shared much about her professional life; however, her social media displays that she is a radio host and works at Judson Independent School District in Converse, Texas.

NaLyssa Smith’s Father, Rodney Smith, Is A Former College Basketball Star

Rodney Smith is not only an amazing father to NaLyssa Smith but also her first coach and the one who guided and supported her throughout her professional basketball journey.

Furthermore, Rodney Smith, a native of Texas, played basketball at the University of Texas-San Antonio and also played professionally overseas.

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Rodney Smith played college basketball as a forward for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in the early 1990s. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm), he appeared in 56 games over two seasons.

Similarly, in the 1992–93 season, as a junior, Smith averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting an impressive 50.8% from the field.

He followed that with a standout senior season in 1993–94, where he started 26 of 27 games and posted averages of 17.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 47.9% overall and 32.7% from beyond the arc.

Over his college career, Smith averaged 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, shooting nearly 49% from the field and 75.9% from the free-throw line.

Rodney Smith graduated from UTSA with a BA in Sociology in 1994 and began his career with World Savings in 2005, serving as a Tech Support.

Rodney has been serving as a Systems Administrator II for Bexar County in San Antonio, Texas, since 2012.

Prior to this role, he spent three years working as a Network Architect for the same organization.

In addition to her father, NaLyssa Smith’s elder brother, Rodney Smith Jr., also showcased his exceptional athletic skills playing soccer at the University of St Mary’s and the University of Houston.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• NaLyssa Smith’s elder brother, Rodney Jr., works as a DJ at the Nashville Palace and served as a judge for the Miss NC/SC High School America Pageant.
• She began her basketball career while attending East Central High School and later continued at Baylor.
• NaLyssa began her professional career with the Indiana Fever of the WNBA in 2022.