Girls’ basketball player of the year: Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian
Kaleena Smith averaged 31 points, seven assists and four steals per game this season while playing for the Southland’s No. 1 program, but her role as an expanded leader is what earned her the Times’ girls basketball player of the year honor.
The 5-foot-6 junior point guard led Ontario Christian to the CIF state championships in Sacramento for the first time in program history, and along the way, her voice spoke almost as loud as her play — surprising for someone who isn’t talkative by nature.
“Her numbers speak for themselves, but the biggest difference in Kaleena this season has been her leadership,” Knights coach Aundre Cummings said. “She always arrives at training first and leaves last, which her teammates respect, but she also knows when to speak up.”
Smith has been nicknamed “Special K” for her talent and charisma, traits that make her one of the nation’s top recruits in the Class of 2027. She is attracting attention from several college programs. USC women’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb was even on hand to watch Smith score 23 points and contribute six assists in the Southern California regional semifinals against Etiwanda on March 8 and in the state championship game against Archbishop Mitty at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
“I’m talking more, yeah, because I’m going to have to do that in college,” said Smith, who spent countless hours perfecting his mid-range jumper this winter. “As captain, this is one of my responsibilities.”
One hundred games into her high school career, Smith is living up to the hype placed on her when she was named the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2024. She surpassed the 2,000-point plateau when she scored 51 points against Esperanza in November.
Smith led Ontario Christian to the Southern Section Open Division title as a sophomore and although the Knights were denied a repeat (she had 30 points and five assists in a finals loss to Sierra Canyon), her stats are better in every important category. Alongside his competitive spirit and winning mindset is the maturity and confidence of an upperclassman.
“Her leadership is what stands out,” sophomore teammate Tatianna Griffin said. “She’s a very calm person. I’m not sure if it comes naturally or not, but when she says something, we listen.”
Griffin’s own game flourished thanks to Smith’s willingness to give her the ball in clutch situations, and Smith mentored freshman Chloe Jenkins, who led the team in rebounds (11.3 per game).
By adding leadership to her basketball IQ, court vision, defense, quickness, shooting, passing and dribbling, Smith has become a complete player, ready for a senior season worth talking about.
