Indiana Fever fans were worried that NaLyssa Smith was planning to leave the team after their early playoff exit, following a social media post that many interpreted as a farewell. Smith, who had a standout season in 2023, saw her production decrease this year. Last season, she averaged 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but in 2024, those numbers dropped to 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. After the Fever were swept by the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs, the third-year forward shared a lengthy message on Instagram, leading fans to speculate about her future with the team. “All I eva wanted to do was jus hoop & show the world who I am but trust me, Y’ALL WILL SEE!” Smith wrote, ending her message with, “1 OUT!”
However, in an interview with *IndyStar* reporter Chloe Peterson, Smith clarified that her post wasn’t meant as a goodbye. “I’ve been hearing that a lot, but I didn’t think it was a farewell,” Smith explained. “It was more about appreciating the people who helped me through the season and supporting my mental health.” While her post caused confusion, Smith emphasized that it wasn’t a definitive statement about her future with the Fever.
Despite clearing up the misunderstanding, Smith admitted that her future remains uncertain. “In this league, players move around all the time—getting traded, waived, and so on,” she said. “I could have said the same thing last year or this year. You just never know.”
Smith still has one year left on her contract with the Fever, who selected her as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. While she remains with the team for now, her comments hint at the uncertainty that many WNBA players face regarding their future. As she looks ahead, Smith’s focus remains on the support she’s received throughout the season and maintaining her mental well-being.
With her contract still in place for another season, fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for Smith and whether she continues her journey with the Indiana Fever.
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