'Yee-naw': Alanna Smith laments lack of cowboy hats

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Australian WNBA star Alanna Smith is disappointed, not in her record-breaking free agency signing with the Dallas Wings, but in the lack of cowboy hats being worn in the Texan city.

“When I visited, I didn’t get to see much of this place, but I had assumptions that it was like the Wild West out here – all cowboy hats and cowboy boots and yeehaw,” Smith said.

“I’ve been maybe a little bit disappointed that it’s not like that.

“More cowboy hats – where are they?”

Smith, 29, 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.

Her super max contract pays USD $1.25 million per season.

Away from the 10-gallon hats, the 2025 co-WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and Australian Opals centre’s focus is firmly on the defensive side of the ball in 2026.

“I want to set the tone of team defence,” she declared.

“I think defence is not a one-person job. It’s everyone on the floor. Making sure that everyone’s bought into playing really good defence is what I’d like to see.

“Defence is a big part of my game, and I think a big part of winning games.

“So just building that foundation of playing team D and then building chemistry with everyone, learning how people play together, what they like to do.

“I think the only way to do that is by playing games, so I’m really keen to get out on court with these guys.”

She admitted that joining the Wings on a max deal would change her expectations.

“I think there’s a little bit of pressure, but I’ve been in moments or teams before where maybe expectations have been different to what the outcomes have been, so I trust the process,” she said

“I know that we have the right pieces to be successful, and I’m just excited to get going.”

Smith, now a teammate of 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star Paige Bueckers, who averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season, understands the importance of building chemistry with her out of the pick-and-roll.

“I think screening is kind of a universal thing, especially with guards that can shoot it,” Smith said.

“What’s really unique about Paige, and maybe similar to Courtney (Williams), is her mid-range game is so good.

So it’s not just the screening, but it’s how you separate off the screens as well with those guys because they do like the mid-range.

“I’ve had a lot of practice with Courtney (at Minnesota) on that, so I feel confident in being able to help out Paige with that stuff.”

Smith is just one of many Australians – and international players – in the WNBA in 2026, along with multiple others invited to training camps.

“I think the WNBA is becoming way more international as time goes on,” she added.

“You’re seeing a lot of Europeans, Asian players – Australians are kind of taking over, which is cool, watch out.

“When you’ve got a chance to see different styles, you can adapt it to your game.”

Alanna Smith Total earnings (7 seasons):

• Rookie (2019–2022): $219,235
• 2022 deal: $72,141
• 2023 deal: $100,000
• 2024–2025 deal: $300,000

> Total: $691,376
> Average per year: ~$98,768

New CBA Era Deal (2026–2028)

• 3 years / $3,748,500 >$1,249,500 average per year (fully guaranteed)

"As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball," Wings general manager Curt Miller said in a statement.

"From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility – she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively – we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside."

“It’s hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me,” Smith wrote on Instagram.

“This team and this city embraced me, and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms.

“Forever will hold a special place in my heart.”

Smith is a 210-game seven-year WNBA veteran. She started her career with the Phoenix Mercury in 2019, signed with the Indiana Fever in 2022, the Chicago Sky in 2023, and the Lynx in 2024.

She is coming off the best season of her career.

WNBA Average (2025 Season)

Minutes: 26.5 │ Points: 9.6 │ FG: 48.5% │ 2PT FG: 63.3% │ 3PT FG: 32.9% │ FT: 47.7% │ Rebounds: 5.1 │ Assists: 2.9 │ Steals: 1.3 │ Blocks: 1.9