The path from collegiate stardom to a stable professional career in the WNBA is rarely straightforward, even for the most decorated college athletes. It’s a journey often marked by draft day anticipation, the fierce competition of training camp, the harsh reality of roster cuts, and the constant pursuit of opportunity. For Mackenzie Holmes, the Indiana Hoosiers’ all-time leading scorer and a multiple All-American, her road to the WNBA has been a testament to her resilience, culminating in her recent signing with the Seattle Storm. This isn’t just a routine transaction; it’s a significant moment for Holmes, offering a crucial lifeline and a chance to prove her immense talent on the professional stage after navigating a challenging year.
Holmes was selected by the Seattle Storm with the 26th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Her collegiate resume was impeccable: she left Indiana as the program’s all-time leader in points (2,530), field goals made (1,043), field goal percentage (63.9%), and wins (123). She earned eight All-American selections and was a unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection in her final year. Her dominance in the paint, coupled with her efficiency, made her one of the most productive players in college basketball history.
However, her WNBA journey faced an immediate hurdle. Shortly after the 2024 draft, Holmes underwent knee surgery, which forced her to miss the entire 2024 WNBA season. This was a significant setback for a rookie eager to make an immediate impact. Instead of joining her new team on the court, she spent her first professional year rehabilitating and working as a graduate assistant with her alma mater, gaining a different perspective on the game.
Despite the injury, the Storm showed their continued belief in her potential, signing her to a rookie contract in February 2025 as she continued her recovery. She participated in the Storm’s 2025 training camp and even played in their only preseason game on May 4, 2025, against the Connecticut Sun. In that outing, Holmes displayed flashes of her collegiate form, scoring nine points on an impressive 4-for-5 shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds and three blocks. It was a promising performance, showcasing her readiness to contribute.
Yet, the cutthroat nature of WNBA roster construction once again presented a challenge. On May 12, 2025, just days before the start of the 2025 regular season, the Seattle Storm announced that they had waived Mackenzie Holmes. This decision, while tough, was largely attributed to salary cap constraints, a common reason for teams to make difficult roster decisions even when they value a player’s talent. For Holmes, it meant another period of uncertainty, a moment where her WNBA dream seemed to hang in the balance.
But the WNBA is also a league of perseverance, and opportunities often arise, particularly for players with Holmes’s proven talent and work ethic. On June 16, 2025, the Seattle Storm officially announced that they had re-signed free agent forward Mackenzie Holmes. This re-signing came shortly after the Storm traded center Li Yueru to the Dallas Wings for two future draft picks, opening up a roster spot that Holmes was able to fill. This demonstrates the constant fluidity of WNBA rosters, where trades and injuries can quickly create openings for players waiting in the wings.
For Holmes, this is a monumental moment of redemption and a chance to finally make her mark in the WNBA. Her father, Lenny, reportedly described it as a “dream come true,” highlighting the emotional toll of her journey, from the joy of being drafted to the apprehension of injury and the uncertainty of being waived. Her high school coach, Laughn Berthiaume, echoed the sentiment, expressing confidence that there was a spot for her somewhere and hoping this would be her consistent opportunity.
The signing is mutually beneficial. For the Seattle Storm, they regain a player they clearly value, one they invested a draft pick in and believed in enough to sign to a rookie deal despite her injury. Holmes brings a unique skillset to the Storm’s frontcourt. At 6’3″, she offers interior scoring efficiency, tenacious rebounding, and shot-blocking ability. Her collegiate field goal percentage of 63.9% is elite, ranking third highest among NCAA players with at least 2,500 career points, demonstrating her ability to convert effectively around the rim. In a league increasingly valuing efficient post-play and versatile bigs, Holmes’s attributes could be a significant asset.
The Storm, currently sitting at 6-5 and in third place in the Western Conference as of June 16, 2025, will look to integrate Holmes into their rotation. While her initial playing time might be limited as she fully acclimates to the WNBA pace and offensive schemes, her presence adds depth and a different dimension to their frontcourt, which features players like Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike. Her ability to defend and rebound will be particularly valuable for a team looking to solidify its playoff contention.
Holmes herself has expressed confidence in her physical health, stating that she’s “probably the healthiest I’ve been in a really long time.” This is crucial for a player coming off a significant knee procedure. Her dedication to rehab and her willingness to put in the “extra things” to maintain her health underscore her commitment to her professional career.
Mackenzie Holmes’s journey to officially playing in the WNBA is a compelling narrative of talent, perseverance, and the unforgiving yet ultimately rewarding nature of professional sports. Drafted, injured, signed, waived, and now re-signed, she has navigated a challenging path with determination. Her signing with the Seattle Storm marks not just the beginning of her WNBA playing career, but a significant personal triumph, offering her the long-awaited opportunity to showcase her elite skills and contribute to a competitive WNBA franchise. The Storm has given her a chance, and the basketball world will be watching to see how this Indiana legend translates her collegiate dominance into WNBA success.
