Smikle Named TSWA Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Tennessee guard Kaylene Smikle earns the first TSWA weekly honor of the season after scoring 31 and 18 points in two games.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Basketball
Tennessee Sports Writers Association named Kaylene Smikle its Women's Basketball Player of the Week. Smikle scored 31 points against Duquesne and 18 points against Coppin State, averaging 24.5 points through two games.
Why it matters
The award recognizes an early-season surge for Tennessee's women's program as the Lady Vols begin the season at home. Smikle's production adds a scoring option for the team as it looks to build momentum.
Smikle is averaging 24.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals through two games. She went 5-for-6 from three-point range and shot 84.6% from the field against Duquesne.
The players
Kaylene Smikle
Tennessee women's basketball guard who was named the first TSWA Women's Basketball Player of the Week of the season.
Tennessee Sports Writers Association
Statewide organization of sports journalists that presents weekly awards across Tennessee collegiate athletics.
The details
Smikle went 5-for-6 from three and added eight rebounds, four assists and three steals against Duquesne. Against Coppin State she got into early foul trouble, sat on the bench, then returned in the second half and scored 10 points in the opening stretch of the third quarter to finish with 18.
Timeline
Early November 2026: Smikle scores 18 points at Coppin State.
November 10, 2026: TSWA names Smikle Player of the Week.
Tuesday, November 11, 2026: Tennessee hosts New Haven at 6:30 p.m. ET at Food City Center.
Season Trajectory
As the first TSWA Women's Basketball Player of the Week of the 2026-27 season, Smikle sets an early benchmark for Tennessee's women's program. Her early scoring output gives the Lady Vols a potential offensive anchor as the schedule opens with a home game against New Haven.
Fantasy and bracket watchers can track Smikle's scoring and rebounding as the Lady Vols open the home slate. Her production through two games gives Tennessee a tangible scoring option heading into Tuesday's matchup against New Haven.
The takeaway
Early-season production like Smikle's can set the tone for a team's rotation, so watch how her minutes and shot attempts hold up as the schedule tightens. Fans following the program should keep an eye on her performance against New Haven.
What happens next
Tennessee hosts New Haven on Tuesday, November 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. ET at Food City Center.
Further reading
For more on the Lady Vols' schedule and roster, see Basketball coverage for Knoxville.
