Kim Caldwell didn’t waste time hiding how she feels about Kaylene Smikle.
As Tennessee gets ready for the 2026-27 season, the Lady Vols coach is already pointing to the fifth-year guard as someone who has fit in quickly and made an impression in Knoxville. Caldwell spoke on Tuesday at SEC Tipoff ’27 in Birmingham, Alabama, and her message about Smikle was clear.
"She's a competitor, and she's a winner," Caldwell said. "That's just who she is, and she brings people up with her."
That kind of edge matters in Caldwell’s program, where effort and accountability are non-negotiable. Smikle, in Caldwell’s view, checks those boxes and then some.
Her value isn’t limited to putting the ball in the basket. Caldwell pointed to the kind of plays that swing games in ways the stat sheet can’t always capture: loose balls, tough challenges, and the willingness to do the dirty work.
Caldwell also emphasized that Smikle welcomes coaching and is driven to keep getting better. That matters now more than ever for Tennessee, which is trying to build chemistry around a completely new roster.
The Lady Vols coach said her group has bought into the small details, including taking charges, fighting for offensive rebounds, and protecting possessions. Those are the kinds of habits Caldwell wants, and they’re the same areas where Smikle’s competitive streak can show up right away.
Smikle arrives at Tennessee after stops at Rutgers and Maryland. The 6-foot guard has averaged 17.2 points over 87 college games and has earned multiple All-Big Ten honors.
At Maryland during the 2024-25 season, she put up 17.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 45 percent from the field. Her 2025-26 season was cut short after seven games because of an injury.
Now she gets a fresh start in a Tennessee system that asks a lot from its players, especially on the defensive end. Caldwell praised Smikle’s instincts and determination, but also made it clear there’s still room for growth there.
Even with that room to grow, Caldwell sounded confident about what’s ahead.
"I think that this will be her best year coming up."
For Tennessee, that would be a major win. Smikle already brings proven scoring and an established competitive streak. If she fully settles into Caldwell’s style, she has a real chance to be one of the key pieces for the Lady Vols in 2026-27.
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What makes the situation worth watching is the cast around Bowman, including his high school quarterback Crew Jenkins and Ole Miss commits who are part of the effort to sway him. Tennessee has held onto the commitment for now, but with Early National Signing Day still ahead, this is one of those recruiting stories that could keep developing before the Vols get to lock everything in. [Read more 🡒]