The landscape of the WNBA has long been defined by its fierce on-court rivalries, but in recent years, the personal lives and relationships of its stars have captured public imagination just as much as their crossover dribbles or defensive stops. Among the most high-profile couples to ever grace the league were DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith. Their journey, spanning from collegiate stardom at Baylor University to a professional saga marked by trades and viral social media moments, has come to a definitive turning point.

As of late 2025, it is confirmed that DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith are no longer together. The split, which followed a tumultuous season of professional separation and cryptic social media activity, marks the end of an era for a duo frequently referred to as one of the league’s "power couples."

The Confirmation of the Split in 2025

For months leading up to the end of 2025, fans had speculated about the status of Carrington and Smith’s relationship. The rumors reached a fever pitch in October 2025, following the conclusion of a season that saw both players navigating different paths in the league. The first concrete signs of a separation appeared on social media, where the two athletes unfollowed each other and removed several joint photos from their profiles.

In late November 2025, DiJonai Carrington officially addressed the speculation. During a candid livestream with her followers, Carrington confirmed that she was single. This announcement followed weeks of cryptic posts and a noticeable absence of the public support the two had historically shown each other during the offseason.

While neither player has released a lengthy formal statement detailing the reasons for the breakup, the professional strain of the 2025 season is often cited by observers as a significant factor. The year was defined by a brief, hopeful reunion as teammates followed by a sudden, heartbreaking trade that forced them into a long-distance relationship during the most intense part of the competitive calendar.

Where It All Began: The Baylor University Connection

The origin story of DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith dates back to the 2020-2021 NCAA season at Baylor University. Carrington, a seasoned graduate transfer from Stanford, arrived in Waco, Texas, seeking a national championship. Smith was already established as one of the most dominant forwards in the country under legendary coach Kim Mulkey.

The chemistry between the two was immediate and undeniable. On the court, they were a lethal combination: Carrington provided elite perimeter defense and veteran leadership, while Smith was an unstoppable force in the paint. Off the court, a deep bond formed. However, collegiate environments, particularly under certain coaching regimes, often required such relationships to remain low-key.

Carrington later revealed in interviews that Coach Kim Mulkey was aware of their connection, even calling Carrington into her office to question the nature of their relationship after Carrington fiercely defended Smith during a team meeting. Despite the pressures of high-stakes college basketball and the rules surrounding teammate interactions, their relationship flourished in secret before becoming public as they transitioned to the professional ranks.

Professional Paths: The Sun and The Fever

The 2021 and 2022 WNBA Drafts sent Carrington and Smith to different corners of the country, testing the strength of their relationship early in their professional careers.

DiJonai Carrington was selected in the second round of the 2021 Draft by the Connecticut Sun. In Connecticut, she earned a reputation as one of the league’s premier defensive stoppers. Her grit and energy off the bench eventually led to her being named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player in 2024. During her time with the Sun, she averaged 12.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, cementing herself as a cornerstone of the franchise's identity.

NaLyssa Smith’s entry into the league was even more high-profile. She was selected No. 2 overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. Tasked with being a face of a rebuilding franchise, Smith delivered impressive numbers, earning All-Rookie honors and establishing herself as a double-double machine. However, her tenure in Indiana was eventually complicated by shifting team dynamics and the arrival of high-profile draft picks like Caitlin Clark, which led to fluctuations in her playing time and role.

Throughout these years, the couple remained vocal supporters of one another. They were frequently seen courtside at each other's games during the playoffs, and their playful banter on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok made them fan favorites.

The "Free NaLyssa" Movement and the 2025 Reunion

One of the most viral moments in their relationship occurred in 2024, when Carrington publicly advocated for Smith. Following a series of games where Smith saw limited minutes for the Indiana Fever, Carrington took to social media to call for the team to "free" her partner, suggesting that Smith needed a fresh start elsewhere to truly showcase her talent.

This public display of loyalty resonated with fans but also increased the scrutiny on both players. The wish for a reunion was granted ahead of the 2025 season through a complex four-team trade. Both Carrington and Smith landed with the Dallas Wings, a move that was hailed as a dream scenario for the couple. For the first half of the 2025 season, they were finally teammates again, sharing the court, the locker room, and a home in Dallas.

The Trade That Changed Everything: Mid-Season Heartbreak

The dream of playing together in Dallas was short-lived. In a move that shocked the league and the players themselves, the Dallas Wings traded NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces in late June 2025.

The emotional toll was evident. Smith posted on social media that she was "sick to my stomach" over the trade, not because of the destination—the Aces were a championship-caliber team—but because it meant leaving Carrington. Carrington responded with a single broken-heart emoji, reflecting the devastation of their brief reunion being cut short.

While the trade was a professional boon for Smith—she eventually won a WNBA title with the Aces in 2025—it re-established the physical distance between the two. Smith was in Las Vegas, competing for a championship, while Carrington was traded shortly thereafter to the Minnesota Lynx. The logistical challenges of two elite athletes playing in different cities, combined with the intense media coverage of their relationship, seemingly created a rift that proved insurmountable.

Lifestyle and Brand Power: The Poodle Diaries

Beyond the box scores, Carrington and Smith were influential figures in the "lifestyle" side of the WNBA. They were known for their fashion-forward tunnel walks, often coordinating outfits that blended streetwear with high fashion.

Central to their public persona were their two poodles, Mr. 3 (Three Ski) and Mr. 7. The dogs were frequently featured in "The Poodle Diaries" on TikTok and were even used in marketing campaigns for the Dallas Wings. When Smith was traded to Las Vegas, one of her most poignant messages was directed to Carrington, asking her to "take care of the kids," referring to their beloved pets.

The couple also leveraged their visibility into significant endorsement deals. Carrington, in particular, became a face for brands like Savage X Fenty, Skims, and Reebok. Their relationship helped humanize the league's stars, drawing in a younger, social-media-savvy demographic that followed their lives as closely as their field goal percentages.

Why Their Relationship Redefined WNBA Visibility

The relationship between DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith was significant for more than just its high-profile nature. It represented a shift in how WNBA players navigate their personal lives in the public eye.

Unlike previous generations of athletes who might have felt pressured to hide their relationships, Carrington and Smith were unapologetically themselves. They navigated the complexities of being partners and competitors simultaneously, such as the 2025 game where Carrington was caught on video accidentally cheering for Smith even though Smith was playing for the opposing team.

Their breakup at the end of 2025 marks a quiet conclusion to a very loud and public journey. As they move forward into the 2026 season, both players appear focused on their individual careers—Smith as a reigning champion with the Aces and Carrington as a defensive anchor looking for her next chapter.

Summary of the Relationship Timeline

  • 2020-2021: Met as teammates at Baylor University.
  • 2021-2022: Navigated the start of their WNBA careers in different cities (Connecticut and Indiana).
  • 2024: Carrington advocates for Smith during the "Free NaLyssa" movement; Carrington wins Most Improved Player.
  • Early 2025: Reunited as teammates on the Dallas Wings following a major trade.
  • June 2025: Smith traded to the Las Vegas Aces; Carrington later moves to the Minnesota Lynx.
  • October 2025: Smith wins the WNBA title; rumors of a split begin after social media changes.
  • November 2025: Carrington confirms she is single during a livestream.

FAQ

Are DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith still together?

No. As of late 2025, DiJonai Carrington has confirmed that she is single, and the couple has removed traces of their relationship from social media.

What teams do they play for now?

Following the 2025 season, NaLyssa Smith is a member of the Las Vegas Aces, where she won a championship. DiJonai Carrington most recently played for the Minnesota Lynx.

Did they have any children?

They do not have biological children, but they famously co-parented two poodles named Mr. 3 and Mr. 7, whom they often referred to as their "kids."

How did they meet?

They met in 2020 at Baylor University when DiJonai Carrington transferred there for her final year of college basketball.

Who is older, DiJonai or NaLyssa?

DiJonai Carrington is the older of the two. She was born in 1998, making her 27 as of 2025, while NaLyssa Smith was born in 2000, making her 24.