WACO, Texas – Baylor senior NaLyssa Smith was named as a finalist for another Player of the Year award as the Wade Trophy announced the final four players up for consideration on Thursday.
 
Smith, the reigning Wade Trophy winner was joined by Aliyah Boston (South Carolina), Caitlin Clark (Iowa) and Rhyne Howard (Kentucky).
 
The 6-foot-4 forward has already been named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, the Associated Press and the USBWA. Smith was also named a WBCA All-America Region 3 finalist.
 
This season marks the 45^th that the Wade Trophy will be handed out to the nation's top player in women's college basketball. It was named after the late Delta State head coach, Lily Margaret Wade, who won three-straight national championships.
 
Baylor has had four Wade Trophy winners in its history with Brittney Griner taking home honors in 2012 and 2013, Odyssey Sims in 2014 and Smith in 2021. Thursday's announcement marks the third-straight year Baylor has had a finalist after Lauren Cox was in the final four in 2020 and Smith in 2021.
 
She led Baylor to its 13^th Big 12 regular-season title and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Smith recently became one of seven Bears to reach the 2,000-point / 1,000-rebound mark in her career.
 
The Converse, Texas, native averaged 22.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game during the regular season. Her 25 double-doubles this year set a single-season Baylor record and was good for third in the country.
 
Smith is also in the running for two other national player of the year awards, including the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy.
 
For the latest news on the Baylor women's basketball team all season long, follow its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.