Indiana Fever Star Clarifies Emotional Post Amid Departure Rumors

Many fans of the Indiana Fever expressed concern that NaLyssa Smith wants to leave the team after their first-round exit in the playoffs.

Smith saw her role diminish this season after a solid campaign in 2023, wherein she averaged 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. This season, those numbers dipped to 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per outing.

After they got swept by the Connecticut Sun in the playoffs, the third-year forward posted a lengthy message on Instagram, which fans viewed as a goodbye.

"All I eva wanted to do was jus hoop & show the world who I am but trust me, Y'ALL WILL SEE!" wrote Smith on Thursday. "1 OUT!"

But in a report from IndyStar's Chloe Peterson on Friday, the 24-year-old Smith clarified that it wasn't a farewell.

"I've been hearing that a lot, but I didn't think it was a goodbye," Smith said. "It was more just like me appreciating all the people that did help me get through this season, and just just helping me keep my mental health on straight."

The former Baylor standout, however, also stated that she "doesn't know what the future holds."

"In this league, so many players jump around, get traded, get waived, get this, get that," added Smith. "So it's like, I could have said the same thing last year, this year."

Smith still has one year left in her contract with the Fever, which selected her as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft.

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