The No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2027, Kaleena Smith, has been attracting attention with her impressive skills on the court. After some dominant displays for the Ontario Christian High School, Smith has earned a spot on the National Player of the Year watchlist.
MaxPreps shared the nominees on Instagram. Smith reshared the post on her story with a one-word reaction:
"agtg 🙏" - Abbreviation of "All glory to God."
Among the nominees were Grandview senior and UCLA signee Sienna Betts, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class Aaliyah Chavez, Clackamas senior and USC signee Jazzy Davidson, Mater Dei senior and Iowa commit Addison Deal and Montverde Academy's Saniyah Hall.
Other junior and sophomore nominees included Long Island Lutheran junior Olivia Jones, Sierra Canyon junior Jerzy Robinson, Ridgeline senior and Duke commit Emilee Skinner and Bullis sophomore Ivana Wilson-Manyacka.
How good is Kaleena Smith?
Smith has been an integral part of the Ontario Christian High School girls' basketball team. She leads her school in points per game (23.1), assists (8.0), steals (4.7) and FT% (90%), while ranking second in FG% (53%) and third in 3-point FG% (35%).
In their game against Rancho Christian High School on Monday, Smith recorded a double-double with 29 points and 12 assists. In 55 games over two years, Smith averaged 30.1 ppg, 7.1 apg, 3.3 rpg, 4.4 spg and 0.6 bpg. Her freshman year saw her posting averages of 34.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per contest.
Kaleena Smith also attended the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team minicamp in Portland, Oregon, and was selected for the 2024 USA Women’s U17 National Team after trials in Colorado Springs, on May 5, 2024.
Brandon Clay, director of scouting for women's basketball at 247Sports, described Kaleena Smith as a true lead guard:
"Her ability to score has never been in question, but Smith showed that her court vision is a major strength during the trials. She had the feel of a player who could make this roster as a true lead guard, and she proceeded to do just that."
Smith still has two more years before she has to decide on her collegiate career.