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3 Days Until the State Boys Basketball Announcement
Gatorade 2024 - 2025: Player of the Year

Girls Basketball - California

athletes playing Girls Basketball
The POY Logo
GIRLS BASKETBALL

Kaleena Smith

Guard
ONTARIO CHRISTIAN HS
ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA
SOPHOMORE
Height: 5-FOOT-6
Press Release

Peak Performance

23.2

Average Points (per game)

8.1

Average Assists (per game)

4.5

Average Steals (per game)

2.7

Average Rebounds (per game)
“Kaleena Smith just makes the game look really easy. She lives up to the nickname of ‘Special K.’ Her pace on the floor is what you want from a point guard, but she can also put it in the hoop from anywhere. She is someone you have to game plan for at all times.”
Kerwin Walters
Head Coach - Sage Hill School
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

At the time of her selection, the 5-foot-6 sophomore point guard had led the Knights to a 30-1 record and a berth in the Southern Region Open Division Tournament championship game. Smith averaged 23.2 points, 8.1 assists, 4.5 steals and 2.7 rebounds through 31 games. She led Ontario Christian to the Southern Section Open Division Tournament championship, hitting the game-winning free throws in the final seconds of a 65-63 win over Etiwanda High. A finalist for the Naismith Award, Smith was the 2024 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year. She is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2027 by ESPN and 247Sports.

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Smith has maintained a 3.43 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her junior year of high school this fall.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

Smith has volunteered locally with the Salvation Army and as a youth basketball coach. She has also completed an internship with the Creative Artists Agency and donated her time as a youth Bible study group supporter.