In the 2024 WNBA Finals, Alanna Smith didn’t just lace up for the Minnesota Lynx—she showed up through pain, grit, and pressure. Battling a back injury from Game 3, she returned for Game 4 despite uncertainty surrounding her status. Her 12 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and crucial defensive stops in game 4  weren’t just stats—they were a statement that helped the Lynx secure an 82-80 win over the Liberty.

Smith, named to the WNBA’s All-Defensive Second Team, pushed through for her team, even when her body screamed otherwise. And if you’re wondering where this toughness comes from, look no further than her roots.

“She’s battling against (Jones) constantly, and JJ’s not an easy task for anybody. And she’s a little bit undersized and she battles, makes things as difficult as possible,” said Lynx teammate Bridget Carleton. That relentless mentality? It runs in the family.

Who Are Alanna Smith’s Parents? What Do They Do?

Alanna Smith’s path to becoming a vital piece of Minnesota’s championship push can’t be understood without meeting the people who built the court she grew up on. Her mother, Simone Smith, and father, Darren Smith, raised her in Melbourne, Australia—a household where basketball wasn’t a hobby, it was heritage.

Darren Smith didn’t just play basketball—he lived it for 12 years as a professional in the NBL, Australia’s top-tier league. Born in Box Hill, Darren started his journey in the Nunawading junior basketball program. He went on to play for four different NBL teams, appearing in 201 matches and logging 1,581 points and 724 rebounds. These weren’t just numbers—they were footsteps Alanna followed.

Today, Darren remains entrenched in the game as the Chief Operating Officer of the NBL’s Tasmania JackJumpers, blending his player experience with executive leadership. He’s not just a former athlete—he’s a cornerstone of Australian basketball’s development pipeline.

But the Smith legacy doesn’t end with Darren. Alanna’s uncle, Jason Smith, represented the Australian Boomers, including appearances at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. He first made a mark at California Lutheran University before becoming a pillar of the national team. And on the women’s side, her aunt, Jo Straatsma, played professionally in the WNBL for the Islanders in Tasmania.

In other words, the Smith family tree has basketballs hanging from every branch.

Does Alanna Smith Have Any Siblings?

Yes, she does—and that sibling bond is more than just family ties. Alanna has a younger sister, whom she once called “an 11-year-old replica of me” in a heartfelt Instagram post she posted a few years ago. The caption was paired with a photo of the two, showing just how much Alanna sees of herself in her sister.

Now 16 years old, her sister might not be in the spotlight yet, but the same DNA runs deep. Whether she follows in Alanna’s footsteps on the hardwood remains to be seen, but the resemblance—both physically and perhaps mentally—is enough to make fans curious.

What Is Alanna Smith’s Parents’ Nationality?

Alanna was raised in Melbourne, Australia, and both her parents are Australian nationals. From backyard hoops in Victoria to WNBA Finals pressure in Minnesota, Smith carries that Aussie grit with her in every box-out, every fast break, every possession.

Back injuries heal. Toughness doesn’t fade. And the version of Alanna Smith we saw in Game 4—fighting through pain, answering the call, stepping into a storm and defending like her legacy depended on it—is exactly what her family spent decades building.

Because when you grow up in a household of pros, Olympians, and lifelong hoopers, resilience isn’t taught—it’s inherited.