NaLyssa Smith, a key player for the Indiana Fever, was involved in a heated bench-clearing brawl during a Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) preseason game on Thursday. Smith, who was drafted by the Fever in 2022, is currently playing overseas for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls during the WNBA offseason, a common move for many players looking to supplement their income.
The incident occurred during a scrimmage between the Zhejiang Golden Bulls and Inner Mongolia. While fighting for a rebound, Smith was elbowed by her defender, which led to a quick retaliation. In frustration, Smith aggressively threw the ball at her opponent’s back, sparking a strong reaction from the Inner Mongolia bench. This set off a chain reaction as players rushed onto the court, escalating the situation. Thankfully, other players stepped in to calm the tensions before things got further out of hand. Despite the chaos, Smith went on to deliver a standout performance, finishing with a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, helping Zhejiang secure a seven-point win.
This isn’t the first time Smith has played overseas, as she previously spent time in Turkey before joining the Golden Bulls. Playing abroad is a common practice among WNBA athletes during the off-season to earn extra income. Smith’s aggressive on-court demeanor, which was on display during the brawl, has always been a part of her game. In her third season with the Fever, she averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while playing a key role in the team’s lineup.
Smith’s presence in China comes during a pivotal time in her career, as she enters free agency this offseason. Speculation about her future with the Fever is rife, especially after recent tension regarding her social media activity, where she removed all references to the WNBA team. There is even talk about her dissatisfaction with former Fever head coach Christie Sides’ rotation decisions, particularly concerning her playing time. Whether she will return to Indiana under the leadership of new head coach Stephanie White remains to be seen, but for now, her focus is on her stint with the Golden Bulls.
As Smith’s overseas season continues, fans will be watching closely to see how the situation develops both on and off the court. Whether or not she returns to the Fever in 2025, her time with Zhejiang could be a crucial chapter in her basketball career.
