7 Days Until the State Boys Basketball Announcement
Gatorade 2025 - 2026: Player of the Year

Girls Basketball - Alabama

Gatorade Player of the year

Lani Smallwood

Guard
ALBERTVILLE HS
ALBERTVILLE, ALABAMA
SENIOR
Height: 5-FOOT-9
Press Release

Peak Performance

25.3

Average points (per game)

8.1

Average rebounds (per game)

3.6

Average assists (per game)

3.5

Average steals (per game)
“Lani is the engine that drives her team. She’s been doing everything at a high level—scoring, rebounding, defending and creating for her teammates.”
Sara Price
Head Coach - Mountain Brook High

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-9 senior guard averaged 25.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this past season, leading the Aggies (29-4) to the Class 7A state quarterfinals. Smallwood also averaged 3.6 assists and 3.5 steals while sinking 105 shots from 3-point range. The 2025 Class 7A Player of the Year, she concluded her prep basketball career with 3,111 points and 1,094 rebounds.

Academic Achievement

Smallwood has maintained a 3.96 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at Mississippi State University this fall.

Exemplary Character

A member of her local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Smallwood has volunteered locally as a youth basketball coach. She has also donated her time to multiple community service initiatives through her church youth group.