
Kiara Smith Named Region Finalist for WBCA 2022 NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America
Thursday, March 24, 2022 | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA – Florida women's basketball's own Kiara Smith has been named a region finalist for the 2022 Women's Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America, the WBCA announced Thursday morning.
The selection committee will choose the 10-member Coaches' All-America team from these 52 finalists. Selections will be announced on Thursday, March 31.
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.
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).
Here are the region finalists:
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
- #GoGators -
The selection committee will choose the 10-member Coaches' All-America team from these 52 finalists. Selections will be announced on Thursday, March 31.
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.
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).
Here are the region finalists:
Region 1
| Player | Institution |
| Lorela Cubaj | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Elissa Cunane | North Carolina State University |
| Anna DeWolfe | Fordham University |
| Maya Dodson | University of Notre Dame |
| Emily Engstler | University of Louisville |
| Morgan Jones | Florida State University |
| Deja Kelly | University of North Carolina |
| Elizabeth Kitley | Virginia Tech |
| Olivia Miles | University of Notre Dame |
| Kianna Smith | University of Louisville |
| Hailey Van Lith | University of Louisville |
Region 2
| Player | Institution |
| Shakira Austin | University of Mississippi |
| Aliyah Boston | University of South Carolina |
| Anastasia Hayes | Mississippi State University |
| Destanni Henderson | University of South Carolina |
| Jordan Horston | University of Tennessee |
| Rhyne Howard | University of Kentucky |
| Khayla Pointer | Louisiana State University |
| Kiara Smith | University of Florida |
Region 3
| Player | Institution |
| Diamond Battles | University of Central Florida |
| Kierstan Bell | Florida Gulf Coast University |
| Mia Davis | Temple University |
| Jasmine Dickey | University of Delaware |
| Vivian Gray | Texas Tech University |
| Rori Harmon | University of Texas |
| Ashley Joens | Iowa State University |
| Ayoka Lee | Kansas State University |
| NaLyssa Smith | Baylor University |
| Madi Williams | University of Oklahoma |
Region 4
| Player | Institution |
| Grace Berger | Indiana University |
| Leigha Brown | University of Michigan |
| Veronica Burton | Northwestern University |
| Caitlin Clark | University of Iowa |
| Nia Clouden | Michigan State University |
| Monika Czinano | University of Iowa |
| Naz Hillmon | University of Michigan |
| Mackenzie Holmes | Indiana University |
| Taylor Mikesell | Ohio State University |
| Aneesah Morrow | DePaul University |
| Angel Reese | University of Maryland |
| Jacy Sheldon | Ohio State University |
| Maddy Siegrist | Villanova University |
| Christyn Williams | University of Connecticut |
Region 5
| Player | Institution | |
| Cameron Brink | Stanford University | |
| Mya Hollingshed | University of Colorado | |
| Lexie Hull | Stanford University | |
| Haley Jones | Stanford University | |
| Charlisse Leger-Walker | Washington State University | |
| Charisma Osborne | University of California, Los Angeles | |
| Te-Hina Paopao | University of Oregon | |
| Cate Reese | University of Arizona | |
| Nyara Sabally | University of Oregon | |
- #GoGators -
Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, March 25
SEC Tournament: Liv McGill and Coach Finley Postgame Press Conference 3-5-26
Thursday, March 05
SEC Tournament Postgame Press Conference 3-4-26
Wednesday, March 04
SEC Tournament: Liv McGill, Me'Arah O'Neal and Coach Finley Postgame Press Conference 3-4-26
Wednesday, March 04




