Australian plays her part in a Mercury team on the cusp of WNBA greatness, writes EMMA GREENWOOD

AUSSIE Alanna Smith remains in line to win the biggest prize in women’s basketball as her Phoenix Mercury heads into a pivotal Game 3 of the WNBA finals series in Chicago. Smith, the daughter of 211-game NBL player Darren Smith, was on the bench when the Mercury tied up the best-of-five finals series with Chicago Sky 1-1 in a five-point overtime win on Thursday.

She played just over four minutes in the opening final – a 91-77 loss to the Sky – picking up two offensive rebounds and making a steal. At 193cm, Smith is described as a “stretch four” – a power forward with the ability to shoot from the perimeter. She has all the skills, but is stuck behind some of the best players in the game at the Mercury and hunting court time. “She’s definitely frustrated with the lack of opportunity, but understands that she’s got great players in front of her and wants to be a great teammate and support however she can,” Darren Smith said. “Every athlete wants more, but she’s got to work that out.”

With the series now tied at 1-1, Smith – who was born in Tasmania and grew up in

Melbourne – has a great opportunity to become the ninth Australian to win a WNBA title if the Mercury can go on and clinch the title.

“It’s a really exciting option, it’s right there in front of them,” Darren said.

Smith is in her third year with the Mercury, after being taken at No.8 in the 2019 draft following a stellar college career with Stanford.

It’s a moment she got to share with her father, as the chief executive of Basketball Australia Pathways – an organisation that helps players find opportunities in the US college system, as well as navigate the system with families – was in the US for work.

“For my business I was at the Final Four that year, and then she got nominated as an All-american – so we saw each other at the Final Four, and when she was there she got the heads up that she’d be invited to draft day in New York,” Darren said.

“She was really excited about the opportunity to get drafted to Phoenix – obviously she wanted to play in the

WNBA, but also because of the connection with

Sandy.”

Australian

Opals coach

Sandy Brondello also coaches Phoenix. “Alanna had played in the world championships in Tenerife the year before when she was at Stanford, and Sandy was the coach, and they had a really good tournament and she had a really good time.

“But she’s kind of learnt now that it’s still a business. Sandy’s making the decisions she’s got to make, and Alanna as an athlete, she’s got to do what she’s got to do.

“It’s been a really good learning experience for her.”

Smith has been open about the difficulties of life in the WNBA bubble last season and her battles with anxiety.

Darren said it was tough to be on the other side of the world during Covid-19.

“I was lucky I got to see her in Vegas in preparation for the Olympics, but that was just me,” he said.

“Mum (Simone) hasn’t seen her for months and months. It’s difficult. Facetime is great, but if she’s disappointed you can’t give her a hug.

“We’re frustrated that we can’t be with her and continue to share that journey, but we think that she’s blessed to even be

working.”