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The Trade That Broke The WNBA’s Power Couple: Who Is NaLyssa Smith's Girlfriend Now?

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The relationship status of WNBA star NaLyssa Smith is one of the most talked-about topics in professional basketball right now, fueled by a shocking mid-season trade and cryptic social media activity. As of December 2025, Smith's long-time girlfriend is fellow WNBA player DiJonai Carrington, but their high-profile romance has been put to the ultimate test after a trade separated them, leading to widespread speculation about a potential breakup.

The couple, who first met and began dating in college, became a beloved "WNBA power couple," with fans following their journey from college teammates to professional opponents and eventually, teammates again on the Dallas Wings. However, the business of basketball intervened, creating a dramatic, high-stakes long-distance relationship that has captivated the league's followers and raised questions about their future.

NaLyssa Smith: WNBA Star and Biographical Profile

NaLyssa Smith is one of the WNBA's brightest young talents, known for her powerful presence as a forward and her dominant rebounding ability. Her career has been marked by rapid success and high expectations since entering the league.

  • Full Name: NaLyssa Smith
  • Date of Birth: August 8, 2000
  • Age: 25 (as of December 2025)
  • Hometown: Converse, Texas
  • College: Baylor University (2018–2022)
  • WNBA Draft: 2nd overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever
  • Current Team (2025): Las Vegas Aces (Power Forward)
  • Career Highlights: WNBA All-Rookie Team (2022), Two-time Big 12 Player of the Year (NCAA), NCAA National Champion (2019)
  • Position: Power Forward
  • Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)

Smith’s professional journey started with the Indiana Fever, where she quickly established herself as a cornerstone player, averaging 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in her rookie campaign. Her subsequent trade to the Dallas Wings and then the Las Vegas Aces in 2025 has kept her name constantly in the headlines, especially given the impact on her personal life.

The WNBA's High-Profile Romance: NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington

The relationship between NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington is a true "basketball romance" that began long before their WNBA careers. Their love story provides a compelling narrative of two elite athletes navigating the challenges of professional sports together.

From Baylor Teammates to a WNBA Power Couple

The two first crossed paths on the court at Baylor University, where Carrington transferred from Stanford for her senior year. Their connection quickly blossomed, and they officially started dating around 2020. This collegiate connection laid the foundation for a relationship that would endure the pressures of the WNBA Draft and playing for different teams.

Carrington, a dynamic guard, was drafted in 2021 by the Connecticut Sun, while Smith was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. For a period, their relationship was a long-distance one, with the two facing off as rivals on opposing teams, a common yet difficult challenge for partners in professional sports.

The couple was briefly reunited as teammates on the Dallas Wings, a situation that fans and media adored. They became known as one of the league's most visible and celebrated queer couples. Carrington, who plays a versatile guard role and was the 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player, and Smith, the dominant forward, often shared glimpses of their life together, solidifying their status as a WNBA power couple.

The Trade Drama: Separation and Breakup Speculation

The stability of their relationship was dramatically upended in 2025 by two unexpected and swift trades that separated the couple and sent shockwaves through the WNBA community. This "trade drama" is the primary reason for the current intense curiosity surrounding their relationship status.

The Shocking Trade to the Las Vegas Aces

In a move that surprised many, NaLyssa Smith was traded from the Dallas Wings to the Las Vegas Aces. This trade was particularly painful as it happened on the last day of Pride month and split up the couple who had just been reunited as teammates. Smith publicly expressed her devastation over the move, stating she was "sick to my stomach" to be traded away from her girlfriend and former teammate.

Shortly after, DiJonai Carrington was also traded from the Dallas Wings to the Minnesota Lynx. This meant the couple, who had hoped to build a life and a career together in Dallas, were now separated by thousands of miles, playing for different teams on opposite ends of the country.

Current Relationship Status: Are They Still Together?

The separation led to immediate and intense speculation about the fate of their long-distance relationship. The most recent and compelling evidence suggesting a potential split stems from their social media activity. Multiple reports and fan discussions in late 2025 highlighted that both NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington had unfollowed each other on platforms like Instagram.

In the world of professional sports, an "unfollow" between two high-profile partners is often interpreted as a subtle, yet clear, hint of a breakup or significant strain. One source noted that Carrington appeared to be "permanently closing" the chapter with NaLyssa Smith, while Smith posted a subtle hint on her own Instagram, breaking her silence online amidst the swirling speculation.

While neither athlete has made an official, definitive public statement confirming a breakup as of December 2025, the combination of the emotionally taxing trades and the subsequent social media actions strongly suggests that the strain of the separation has taken a heavy toll on the relationship. The once-celebrated WNBA power couple is currently facing a very uncertain future, leaving fans to wonder if their basketball romance can survive the business side of the league.

The Impact of Trades on WNBA Relationships

The saga of NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington highlights a unique challenge faced by queer couples in the WNBA: the constant threat of trades. The league is known for its relatively small pool of players and frequent movement, which can easily separate partners. This is a crucial "topical authority" point, as their story is now an example of the personal cost of the WNBA’s business decisions.

The unexpected trade that split them up underscores the reality that for WNBA athletes, professional stability and personal life are often at odds. The emotional distress expressed by Smith after the trade was palpable, showcasing the human element of contract negotiations and team management. As both players move forward with their respective teams—Smith with the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces and Carrington with the Minnesota Lynx—their focus will be on their individual careers, but the question of their relationship remains a compelling storyline for the entire WNBA season.

Ultimately, while NaLyssa Smith's girlfriend is DiJonai Carrington, the current status of their relationship is highly ambiguous. The public evidence points toward a significant hurdle, if not a complete separation, following the dramatic trade that separated the two WNBA stars.

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nalyssa smith girlfriend

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