Kaylene Smikle shows promise in rehab as teammates back her for SEC honors
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 11, 2026, 9:01 AM
Last updated Aug 11, 2026
Kaylene Smikle, a transfer guard for Tennessee, is recovering from knee surgery that cut her 2025-26 season short. Teammate Fatmata Janneh has labeled her the next SEC Player of the Year, echoing Smikle's own ambitions for a standout final college season. Despite limited participation in practice, Smikle has demonstrated her shooting skill by sinking multiple three-pointers. She aims to showcase her abilities this season to improve her prospects for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Coach Kim Caldwell indicated the goal is for all recovering players to be ready for the first game, emphasizing a careful approach to their return.
- •Smikle averaged 13.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in seven games last season.
- •She underwent knee surgery in December after a prior injury at Maryland.
- •Tennessee's practice opened to the media on August 3 with Smikle limited.
- •Coach Caldwell expects recovering players ready for the first game of the season.
- •Smikle transferred to Tennessee as part of a roster restructuring effort.
- 9:01 AMYahoo Sports — Why Kaylene Smikle's teammates are calling her the next SEC Player of the Year
"Transfer guard Kaylene Smikle, whose 2025-26 season ended after seven games because of a knee injury, gave an update on her rehab.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NCAAF•Aug 11, 2026, 10:31 AMWhich Ohio State road game would you most like to attend?
- College Sports•Aug 11, 2026, 10:07 AMHighlights from Texas A&M's fifth preseason practice
- NCAAF•Aug 11, 2026, 10:07 AMOhio State athletic director Ross Bjork earns $240,000 in bonuses in 2025-26
- College Sports•Aug 11, 2026, 10:06 AMHow return of 3 newly eligible players impacts Southern Miss football
- NCAAF•Aug 11, 2026, 10:00 AMCommute: Ahmad Hardy, Cayden Green Named On3 Preseason All-Americans
- NCAAF•Aug 11, 2026, 9:57 AMWhich Penn State players made The Athletic’s annual ‘Freaks List?’
