Smith is now the 19th Gator to be selected in the WNBA Draft.
NEW YORK – Florida women’s basketball graduate Kiara Smith was selected by the Connecticut Sun with the 36th pick in the of the 2022 WNBA Draft on Monday evening.
Smith is now the 19th Gator to be selected in the WNBA draft and first Florida women’s basketball athlete drafted since Ronni Williams was selected by the Indiana Fever in 2017. The District Heights, Md., native is also the first Gator to be drafted by the Sun.
Smith has solidified her spot as one of the best to wear the Orange & Blue during her time with the Gators. This season alone, the graduate averaged 14.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game. In Southeastern Conference play, Smith has raised her level even further, averaging 17.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game, helping her to two SEC Player of the Week honors during the year. The District Heights, Md., native has scored in double-figures 24 times this season, including a season-best 27 points in a comeback victory at No. 25 Texas A&M.
With her SEC postseason honors, Smith became just the third Gator to be named to the SEC All-Defensive team, joining Jennifer George (2013) and Simone Westbrook (2016) while also becoming the first Florida women’s basketball athlete to earn First Team honors since Ronni Williams in 2017. Smith’s efforts led to her being named a region finalist for the 2022 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America team as well.
Leaving her mark in the Florida record book, Smith ends her career 12th in total points scored (1508), fifth in free throws made (340), fifth in total steals (220), fourth in total assists (438), third in total starts (116), third in consecutive starts (106) and third in minutes played (3983).
Florida in the WNBA Draft
Bridget Pettis – 1997, Phoenix: Elite Draft
Sophia Witherspoon – 1997, New York: Rd. 2, Pick 11
Merlakia Jones – 1997, Cleveland: Rd. 2, Pick 13
Tammy Jackson – 1997, Houston: Rd. 2, Pick 16
Murriel Page – 1998, Washington: Rd. 1, Pick 3
DeLisha Milton – 1999, Los Angeles: Rd. 1, Pick 4
Tonya Washington – 2000, Washington: Rd. 2, Pick 18
Tiffany Travis – 2000, Charlotte: Rd. 2, Pick 27
Tamara Stocks – 2001, Washington: Rd. 2, Pick 25
Tombi Bell – 2001, Minnesota: Rd. 3, Pick 39
Brandi McCain – 2002, Cleveland: Rd. 2, Pick 24
Monique Cardenas – 2002, Portland: Rd. 4, Pick 53
Vanessa Hayden – 2004, Minnesota: Rd. 1, Pick 7
Tashia Morehead – 2005, Washington: Rd. 3, Pick 32
Dalila Esha – 2006, Seattle: Rd. 2, Pick 25
Sha Brooks – 2009, Phoenix: Rd. 3, Pick 31
Jennifer George – 2013, Indiana: Rd. 3, Pick 31
Ronni Williams – 2017, Indiana: Rd. 2, Pick 22
Kiara Smith – 2022, Connecticut: Rd. 3, Pick 36
– #GoGators –
