Celebrating Kaleena Smith: Ontario Christian’s Outstanding Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year

Kaleena Smith Named Times’ Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year

Ontario Christian High School’s Kaleena Smith has been recognized as The Times’ girls’ basketball player of the year, a distinction earned through her impressive performance and enhanced leadership this season. Averaging 31 points, seven assists, and four steals per game, Smith played a pivotal role in leading her team to the CIF state championships in Sacramento, marking a historic achievement for the program.

Despite her typically quiet demeanor, Smith’s leadership has emerged as a defining aspect of her game this year. "Her numbers speak for themselves, but the biggest difference in Kaleena this season has been her leadership," said Knights coach Aundre Cummings. "She’s always coming to practice first and leaving last, which teammates respect, but she also knows when to speak up."

Her impact on the court was evident in critical moments, especially during high-stakes games. In a recent regional semifinal against Etiwanda, attended by USC women’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb, Smith delivered a standout performance with 23 points and six assists. "I’m being more vocal, yes, because I’m gonna have to do that in college," she explained. "As captain, it’s one of my responsibilities."

As Smith reaches the 100-game milestone in her high school career, she continues to exceed expectations set when she was named MaxPreps’ national freshman of the year in 2024. Recently, she surpassed the 2,000-point mark, scoring 51 points against Esperanza last November.

In her sophomore year, Smith led Ontario Christian to the Southern Section Open Division title, evolving into a more complete player with refined skills in shooting, passing, and court vision. "Her leadership is what stands out," said sophomore teammate Tatianna Griffin. "She’s a very quiet person, but when she says something, we listen."

Smith’s mentorship has also aided the development of teammates like freshman Chloe Jenkins, who leads the team in rebounds. The addition of her leadership skills to her basketball acumen positions Smith for a standout senior season that promises to garner further attention from college programs across the nation.