Alanna Smith’s case for WNBA Most Improved Player, explained

Alanna Smith’s statistical improvement won’t jump out at you — in her first year as a Minnesota Lynx, she’s averaged just one point per game more than she did in similar minutes in Chicago the year prior. But, the 6’4 center has improved tremendously in a number of areas, primarily as a passer, shooter, and defender. Her leap has been a big reason why the Lynx have had one of the WNBA’s top defenses all season, and why the they currently have the league’s second-best record and are in contention for a championship this season.

No player playing Smith’s minutes this season has had as good of a defensive rating. Of note, she also has the 8th best plus-minus rating in the league.

In an interview with SB Nation, Smith said that her biggest improvement has been on the defensive end. She’s managed to bolster an already-elite Lynx defense and formed an effective post player tandem with Napheesa Collier.

“I’m really lucky in that Phee and I play really well off of each other defensively,” Smith said. “That was kind of something that happened from the very start with us. It was just like, we read each other really well and worked together really well on the defensive end, without having to do much.”

At the same time, it’s impossible to overlook the shooting leap that Smith has made from last season (29.4%) to this one (40.7%). The wildest part of her improvement is that even her 29.4% figure was an improvement from the previous season. In 2022, Smith shot 24% from three. In 2020, she shot just 19%.

That type of consistent shooting improvement is incredibly unusual, and Smith’s ability to continue refining her long-range shooting is a critical part of her case for Most Improved Player.

Smith attributes her shooting improvement to an increase in confidence, as well as a familiarity with the Lynx system: she knows where she’s going to get her looks, when they’re going to come, and who is going to find her.

“My confidence is growing, but also just being in a system where you know where your shots are coming from,” she said. “I’m put in positions where I’m continuously shooting really well. I’ve got high percentage shots in specific spots, and I’m put in those spots, so it’s nice to know exactly where you’re getting those shots from.”

There’s also the growth that might not be as obvious is a jump in three-point shooting. Smith has become a better passer and a quicker thinker. It’s somewhat reflected in her increased assist numbers (3.2 assists this year compared to 1.8 assists last season), but even that doesn’t tell the full story.

“I have improved better on decision-making this year,” she said. “I’ve been put in positions on this team, especially where I’ve had to make more decisions with the ball in my hand, and I think I’ve done a better job this year than I did last year.”

Her improvements have not been limited to just her contributions for the Lynx — Smith also emerged as a star of the 2024 Paris Olympics during the WNBA’s midseason break. She helped Australia to a bronze medal, averaging 11.5 points and 8 rebounds per game, and was named to the FIBA All-Star Five.

Last season, Smith came in third in Most Improved Player voting, with Satou Sabally of the Dallas Wings ultimately coming away with the honor.

This season, she’s in the mix for the award once again, and unusual conversation to be in in back-to-back seasons, but a feat that is reflective of her growth and work ethic.

“Any recognition of your ability, and your skill, and the hard work that you put in is an honor, especially to do it in what’s considered one of the best leagues in the world,” Smith said. “I’d be very proud of myself if that came about.”

Author’s note: This article is part of a series diving into the candidates for the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award. Similar stories have been written about DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun and Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks.