Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL | SR | Guard | Mississippi State Commit

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL recorded a dominant triple-double against Sparkman with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Mississippi State commit controlled the game from start to finish, scoring efficiently while facilitating for teammates. She rebounded with toughness and pushed the tempo in transition. Smallwood’s ability to impact every area of the floor makes her a true floor general. When she’s in rhythm, she elevates everyone around her.

Lani, a Mississippi State signee, delivered a historic performance by tying her career high and setting a school single-game record with 42 points, including eight three-pointers. Her dominant outing powered her team to an 86–44 road win over 7A Sparkman, clinching the regular-season Area championship in emphatic fashion.

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL | SR Guard | Albertville High School (AL)

1000 Career Rebounds Milestone 

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL is a high-IQ, elite production guard whose game blends efficiency, feel, and competitive edge. Averaging 25 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, she impacts every possession while shooting 45% from the field and 40% from three. A true three-level scorer, Smallwood is comfortable scoring off the catch, off movement, or creating space off the bounce when defenders close late. She plays with balance and pace, understanding how to score within structure without forcing the action. Defensively, her instincts and anticipation produce 3.4 steals per game, consistently disrupting rhythm. Recently reaching the 1,000-rebound milestone, Smallwood’s motor and physicality separate her. At her best, she’s a complete, winning guard whose consistency drives outcomes.

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL — PG | Class of 2026 | Albertville (Mississippi State Commit)

When the scoreboard starts talking, the scouting room starts listening. Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL delivered a 42-point monster game in a win this week because chaos dared her to. Smallwood plays with scoring certainty, not curiosity — a three-level offensive sniper who touches paint, counters middies, and drops 3-pointers like truth bombs. Her 3-ball shines brightest, a weaponized skill that creates gravitational pull defending teams can’t ignore. She manipulates pace calmly until she detonates scoring runs violently — the perfect blend of poise + eruption. She attacks ball screens, soft hedges, drop coverages, and second level rotations with veteran-like reads and fearless shot counters. Defensively, she never takes the play off, but offensively, she takes entire runs over, confirming why she lives in Alabama “best player 2026” conversations even when the hype takes lunch. She doesn’t chase highlights — she creates them by impacting winning possessions with shooting, control, pace, paint pressure, and late-game counters. Smallwood proves hype isn’t required when production is nuclear. In the right system, she could score 30 quietly — or 40 loudly like she did this week.

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL | 5’8” Guard | Class of 2026
Mississippi State Commit | 23PPG, 9RPG, 2.7APG, 4SPG | 7A Player of the Year | 1st Team All-State | 2,000+ Point Scorer

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL plays with the confidence and command of a proven star. The 5’8” guard brings elite scoring instincts, toughness, and leadership to every game. She thrives in transition, attacking downhill with speed and control, while her ability to create her own shot at all three levels makes her nearly impossible to contain.

Defensively, Smallwood sets the tone with her energy and anticipation — turning pressure into points and leading by example. Her motor never stops, and her production speaks for itself.

A 7A Player of the Year and Mississippi State commit, Lani is a complete guard who competes, leads, and delivers when it matters most.

At 5’7, Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL (Class of 2026) has built one of the most decorated résumés in Alabama high school basketball. The Mississippi State commit has already surpassed 2,000 career points, earned Alabama 7A Player of the Year honors, was named All-State, and shined as the North Team MVP in the All-Star Game. The only achievement missing from her storied career is a coveted 7A state championship.

Smallwood, the dynamic guard for Albertville High, is widely regarded as one of the most electrifying talents in the state. She is an elite three-level scorer with limitless range, capable of taking over games with her ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Beyond scoring, she is a skilled playmaker whose high basketball IQ allows her to control tempo and create consistent opportunities for her teammates.

What sets Smallwood apart is her ability to deliver in the biggest moments. A true clutch performer, she thrives under pressure and leads with both her production and her poise. Her work ethic and leadership have been the foundation of her consistent excellence, making her one of the premier guards to come out of Alabama in recent years.

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL is a true wizard on the basketball court, routinely making circus 3s that defy expectation. Her ability to pull off the dribble and convert highly difficult shots from anywhere on the court makes her truly special; she is, quite simply, just the truth when it comes to elite perimeter scoring.

Lani is a dynamic offensive threat with a rare combination of deep shooting range and explosive downhill ability. She has the confidence and skill to knock down shots from anywhere on the court, stretching defenses and creating space for herself and her teammates. Her smooth shooting form and quick release make her a constant perimeter threat, while her ability to get downhill with speed and control allows her to attack the basket effectively and finish through contact. What makes Lani especially dangerous is her sharp decision-making with the ball—her tight handle and court awareness allow her to read defenders, create separation, and make smart, efficient plays in both transition and the half court. She plays with a maturity and control that’s well beyond her years, and her offensive versatility gives her tremendous potential at the next level. College coaches should be excited about Lani’s ability to score in multiple ways, her poise under pressure, and her natural instincts as a ball-handler and playmaker. She’s the kind of guard who can make an immediate impact and continue to develop into a high-level contributor at the collegiate level.

Lani proved herself to be an offensive weapon of the highest caliber at the Capital Cool Classic, scoring from every possible angle and in every way imaginable. Whether with the ball in her hands or without, she was constantly a threat to score, showcasing her versatility in every aspect of the game. Lani was equally effective coming off screens, where she made quick, decisive moves to create open shots or drive the lane. She excelled at all three levels, knocking down long-range threes, hitting mid-range jumpers with ease, and finishing strong at the rim, often through contact. Her ability to score in transition was just as dangerous, as she used her speed and agility to push the tempo and capitalize on fast-break opportunities. What made Lani even more lethal was her ability to read defenses, always finding ways to exploit mismatches and get to her spots, whether it was pulling up for a jumper or making a quick cut to the basket. Throughout the tournament, Lani’s offensive game was relentless, and she proved to be one of the most dynamic and well-rounded scorers in the competition.

Lani Smallwood Lani Smallwood 5'7" | CG Albertville | 2026 State #80 Nation AL was absolutely putting on a show, killing players off the dribble and reading the defenses with her high IQ. She was absolutely making the defense look bad with her accuracy. Her pinpoint passes consistently found open teammates for easy scores, demonstrating her unselfish playmaking ability. On the offensive end, her deceptive speed and agility allowed her to create scoring opportunities seemingly at will. Defenders struggled to stay in front of her, often finding themselves a step behind her lightning-quick drives to the basket.