Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Katie Smith, a WNBA legend:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Katie Smith
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born June 4, 1974
  • Hometown: Logan, Ohio, USA
  • Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
  • Weight: 180 lbs (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 0 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 10 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 30 and 23 during her career
  • Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
  • High School: Logan High School (Logan, Ohio)
  • College: Ohio State University (1992–1996)
  • WNBA Draft:
    • Drafted in the 1999 WNBA allocation, as she had already played professionally in the American Basketball League (ABL)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Minnesota Lynx (1999–2005)
    • Detroit Shock (2005–2009)
    • Washington Mystics (2010)
    • Seattle Storm (2011–2013)
  • Championship Rings: 2 WNBA Championships (2006, 2008) with the Detroit Shock
  • Kids: No children reported
  • Siblings: She has two brothers, Tom and John Smith

Player Archetype / Play Style

Katie Smith’s player archetype was that of a tough, high-IQ scoring wing who could slide between lead-guard duties and off-ball shot-making without losing her edge. Defensively, she brought real bite, using strength, anticipation, and competitiveness to check guards, wings, and even bigger players in switches, while offensively she blended elite perimeter shooting with smart reads, physical drives, post mismatches against smaller defenders, and the versatility to operate as both a primary scorer and a table-setter. At 5-foot-11 with a strong frame, she was not just skilled but imposing for a backcourt player, and that physicality showed up in how she absorbed contact, held position, and played through defensive pressure. Her play style summary is that of a polished, cerebral winner: a pure shooter at heart, a reliable defender by habit, and a flexible all-around guard-forward who could carry offense, move the ball, and impact the game in whatever role her team needed most. (The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)

Sources:

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Katie Smith
ESPN — Quest for perfection pushed Katie Smith into Naismith Hall of Fame
Minnesota Lynx — Player Or Coach, Katie Smith Will Always Be A Lynx Legend
Minnesota Lynx — 20th Season Memories: The Excellence of Katie Smith
Basketball-Reference — Katie Smith WNBA Stats