The 2023 Chicago Sky roster continues to fill out with the signing of forward Alanna Smith.

Smith was drafted 8th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2019 but hasn’t seen much time in the WNBA after suffering some ankle injuries. She last played with the Indiana Fever at the start of 2022 before she was waived. In the 9 games she played last season, she averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds a game.

However, Smith has shown up and shown out overseas. She currently plays for the Polish club Gorzow Wielkopolski, and her stats speak volumes: 22.3 points per game while shooting 65% from the floor and 47.1% from the arc.

That’s just her scoring; she attacks the glass with an average of 9.7 rebounds and makes her defensive presence known with a 2.1 steal average.

The 6-foot-4 forward proved her potential this European season. She makes any defender respect her inside the paint, seeing she averages about a double-double a game. She has a ferocity inside the paint along with just being a strong, physical presence. She’s also a forward with range as her 3-point shooting percentage shows. 

Wade brought a very dynamic weapon to the Sky with the Smith signing. Not only does she provide a vital offensive presence, she will fit well within the Sky’s style of play. When she’s inside, she always pushes the ball up the court and makes it fast. Even if it’s not a rebound, she always makes sure to send any shot she blocks up the court to create transitional offense, and she has the speed to keep up with the fast guards in Kahleah Copper, Courtney Williams and Marina Mabrey.

Smith’s signing starts to shore up the Sky roster which stands now at 11. Joining Smith are Copper, Mabrey, Williams, Isabelle Harrison, Elizabeth Williams, Astou-Ndour-Fall, Ruthy Hebard, Rebekah Gardner, Dana Evans, and Li Yeuru.