'I feel great': Million-dollar Opal ready for World Cup

• Track Australians in the WNBA through our Player Hub
• Visit our Latest Aussie News hub for WNBA signings and updates
• Check the WNBA Schedule + Results for every game and score

Australia's million-dollar Opal Alanna Smith declared "I feel great," after using the WNBA All-Star Break to get healthy ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup in September.

The 29-year-old centre's first season in Dallas has been injury-riddled, suiting up in 20 of the 18-9 Wings' 27 games. She missed the past three because of a right leg injury, was in the concussion protocol in late June and suffered a nasal fracture in pre-season.

Smith joined the Wings as a free agent on a three-year deal worth USD $3.75 million (approximately AUD $5.2 million) under the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement. Her contract averages USD $1.25 million per season, with a 2026 base salary of USD $1.19 million.

"I was coming off the back of an injury through the All-Star break," Smith said.

"It was a good chance for me to really just focus on rehabbing.

"I feel great. My body feels good. I'm excited to get back out on the court.

"And I think, team-wise, we've come back from the break kind of revitalised.

"There's so much energy. Everyone's really happy to see each other again. So, I think we're going to come out and approach this second half of the season, not with a fresh mindset, but with new energy."

Smith has averaged just 3.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20 games this season, well below her career marks of 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists. She is now coming off the bench. Smith had started 82 straight games for the Minnesota Lynx.

"It's definitely a mental adjustment," she admitted.

"I think you have to kind of shift your mindset and try and view it positively.

"So you get a chance to see the flow of the game in front of you and kind of see what's working and what isn't.

"So when you go out there, you've kind of got notes to go off from what you're seeing, rather than going out there and experiencing it in real time.

"And yeah, just trying to approach it in more of a positive mindset than a negative one."

Smith also admitted being sidelined for seven games in a stop-and-start season has been a challenge.

"It's tough," she said.

"It's really hard to get into a flow and feel confident about your game when you're not getting the opportunity just to be out there, and you physically can't do what you know you can do. And then you're just bored a lot of the time. You play basketball because it's fun.

"Watching is cool, I guess, but I don't want to be a spectator yet. So I'm happy to be playing instead of watching."

Australian Opals 2026 FIBA World Cup Selection

Smith is part of the Australian Opals' 12-player FIBA Women's World Cup in Germany between September 4 and 13 with the WNBA on a FIBA Break.

She has been tagged as part of the Opals' leadership group alongside captain Sami Whitcomb.

"I just go on the experience that I've had," Smith said.

"I've played in many FIBA tournaments and then also just in overseas leagues as well.

"And then I get the privilege of playing in the WNBA against some of the best players in the world.

"So I just try and draw on what I've learnt in my different environments.

"And I think I'm pretty low-key approachable, so I think that's one of my strengths. I'm easy to talk to."

Australia has drawn Belgium, Puerto Rico and Türkiye in Group C.

"Everyone wants to call our pool the 'Pool of death'," Smith said.

"Those words are floating around. I think you've just got to take each game as it comes.

"I think we're really lucky because we've played Türkiye and Belgium before, so we know kind of what to expect. We know how they play.

"We have a few players in our team that have had that experience.

"So I think we're just excited. Anytime you get to play for your country, it's special.

"We're out there to win no matter who's in the house."

Australian Opals 2026 World Cup Fixtures

• Australia v Puerto Rico - Friday, September 4
• Türkiye v Australia - Sunday, September 6
• Belgium v Australia - Monday, September 7

The Australian Opals‍

• ‍Zitina Aokuso – Adelaide Lightning‍
• Chloe Bibby – Connecticut Sun‍
• Isobel Borlase – Atlanta Dream / Bendigo Spirit‍
• Isabelle Bourne – Sydney Flames‍
• Alex Fowler – Townsville Fire‍
• Ezi Magbegor – Seattle Storm‍
• Jade Melbourne – Seattle Storm / Bendigo Spirit‍
• Steph Reid – Tasmania Jewels‍
• Alanna Smith – Dallas Wings‍
• Steph Talbot – Las Vegas Aces‍
• Sami Whitcomb – Phoenix Mercury / Perth Lynx‍
• Ally Wilson – Sydney Flames