So it’s official now, but I think many of us saw it coming. Nelsa Smith has officially signed with a team in the Chinese basketball league. For those who don’t know, Nelissa played in AU (Athletes Unlimited) a couple of years ago and has now made a major move to China. She’s joining the Golden Bulls, leaving the Indiana Fever, and this is a pretty big deal for her.
Nisa is probably making a lot of money over there. People talk about how much athletes in other leagues can earn, and China pays big. For example, Liz Cambage earned a million dollars for just 3 months of playing. That’s wild, especially when you compare it to the WNBA, where the highest-paid players are on supermax contracts at around $234K. It’s no wonder players are taking their talents overseas.
But let’s talk about Nelsa. She’s already played for top teams like Galatasaray in Turkey, and now she’ll face some big competition in China. If you’re not familiar with the Chinese League, they’ve got some strong players, and it’ll be great to see how she matches up. I wouldn’t be surprised if she comes back to the WNBA next year as either the top option for a team like the Valkyries or still one of the key players for the Fever.
Honestly, I think this move to China will help her refine her game. The league may not be the toughest, but it’ll give her the chance to be the number one option on a team and work on her skills. This is much better for her than sitting out or getting limited minutes in the WNBA.
As for the Fever, I’m not sure she’ll stay in Indiana long-term. She didn’t quite fit in with the team’s system, especially when playing alongside stars like Aaliyah Boston or Kelsey Mitchell. That said, Nisa can absolutely hoop. She’s not the greatest shooter or most adaptable player, but she’s solid in isolation, back to the basket, and getting her own shot.
I could see the Fever making some moves, maybe even trading her. I mean, if they reach out to a team like the Las Vegas Aces, they could make a deal to get someone who fits better with their team style. Nelsa’s talent will land her somewhere she can thrive, whether in Indiana or elsewhere.
At the end of the day, this is all about her continuing to grow and get paid for what she can do on the court. In the WNBA, players like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi always said, “You play for pride here, but you make your money overseas,” and Nelissa is proving just that. She’s made a name for herself in the WNBA, and now she’s cashing in on it abroad.
So, let’s see how she does in China, and hopefully, she comes back stronger for the next WNBA season.
