Maryland Transfer Guard Kaylene Smikle Commits to Lady Vols

Image: Maryland Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

KNOXVILLE – After taking an official visit to Rocky Top on Tuesday, Maryland transfer guard Kaylene Smikle announced her commitment to the Lady Vols on social media, giving Kim Caldwell another major addition as Tennessee continues a rapid offseason rebuild. 

Smikle, a Bay Shore (NY) native, appeared in 40 games across two seasons for the Terrapins but was limited to 7 games as a senior due a season‑ending knee injury. The setback granted her an extra year of eligibility, allowing her to enter the portal and ultimately land in Knoxville.

Her best season came as a junior in College Park, where she earned First Team All Big Ten honors while averaging 17.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. Listed at 6 foot, she also added 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 29.2 minutes, starting all 33 games and becoming one of the conference’s top scorers.

Smikle becomes the eighth transfer portal addition for Caldwell this offseason, joining Liberty guard Avery Mills, Northern Arizona guard Naomi White, Stanford forward Harper Peterson, Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf, Georgia forward Zhen Craft, Auburn guard Harissoum Coulibaly, and Texas A&M forward Fatmata Janneh