When you’re in love, sleep is overrated—or at least that seems to be the case for DiJonai Carrington. The Connecticut Sun guard turned early bird (or insomniac) to catch her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith, in action halfway across the world. Smith, a forward for the Indiana Fever, has been lighting up the court for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China, and Carrington isn’t missing a second of it—even if it means trading REM cycles for highlight reels.
At the ungodly hour of 3:47 a.m., Carrington posted a video of Smith’s game against the Sichuan team. Her caption? A classic mix of sass and support:
“Use that rumpppp 🤭 👏. 10 in the first, 5/6 ✨”
Translation? Smith was dominating early, sinking five of her six shots in the first quarter. But like any good basketball story, there were ups and downs. Smith cooled off after her fiery start, ending the game with 17 points and five rebounds on 9-of-19 shooting. The Golden Bulls, however, were no match for Sichuan, losing 106-62.
A Long-Distance Dunkfest
For Carrington and Smith, the struggle of long-distance love is real. While Smith has been hooping it up in China since October, Carrington stayed stateside, busy preparing for the inaugural “Unrivaled” 3×3 league. And though both are used to the grind of pro basketball, being continents apart has added a fresh challenge to their relationship.
Carrington made her feelings known on X (formerly Twitter), lamenting:
“I miss Lyss so much bro. Long distance year-round 😭 mannnn. sent wit watery eyes 😩“
Relatable. Who hasn’t been at least a little dramatic when FaceTime just isn’t cutting it?
Carrington’s Offseason Glow-Up
Though her team’s season didn’t end with a championship parade, Carrington has plenty to celebrate. The Sun bowed out of the playoffs after a tough second-round loss to the Minnesota Lynx, but Carrington had an individual season to remember, snagging the 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player Award. If that’s not a glow-up, what is?
And now, she’s gearing up to play for the Mist Basketball Club in the “Unrivaled” league, which tips off on January 17. The Mist is shaping up to be the Avengers of 3×3 basketball, boasting superstars like Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Aaliyah Edwards, and Rickea Jackson. Their first matchup? A showdown against Napheesa Collier and the Lunar Owls.
Smith’s Chinese Adventure
Meanwhile, Smith has been holding her own in the highly competitive Chinese league. Even though her team, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, might not be racking up wins, Smith has consistently put up solid performances. Monday’s game was no exception, as she showcased her trademark agility and scoring touch.
But let’s be honest: No matter how many points Smith puts up, the real MVP here might be Carrington for her relentless cheerleading. After all, hyping up your partner with sleepy eyes and a smartphone at 3 a.m. deserves its own award.
Love, Basketball, and Everything In Between
Carrington and Smith are proving that love can transcend time zones, jet lag, and even brutal time differences. Sure, long-distance relationships are tough, but when you’ve got the kind of chemistry these two share, you make it work.
So while the rest of us are hitting snooze, Carrington is out here hyping her girlfriend and preparing to dominate on the court herself. Now, that’s what you call teamwork—on and off the hardwood.
