Seattle Storm Select Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes 26th Overall in 2024 WNBA Draft
After becoming the all-time leading scorer in Indiana women's basketball program history, All-American forward Mackenzie Holmes was picked 26 overall in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm Monday night.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Mackenzie Holmes is headed to the WNBA following a legendary career with the Indiana Hoosiers.
The Seattle Storm selected Holmes with the 26th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday night. In 2023, the Storm went 11-29, the second-fewest wins in the WNBA.
Holmes finished her five-year Indiana career as the women's basketball program's all-time leading scorer with 2,530 points. She also ranks first in program history in field goals made (1,043), field goal percentage (63.9%) and wins (123). Holmes ranks second among Hoosiers in blocks (258) and games played (147), as well as third in double-doubles (26), tied for third in points per game (17.2), fourth in rebounds (990), tied for fourth in free throws attempted (595) and fifth in free throws made (434).
Holmes became the program's first ever first-team All-American in 2022-23 and its first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. She helped Indiana make its deepest NCAA Tournament run in program history, reaching the Elite Eight in 2021, in addition to Sweet 16 runs in 2022 and 2024. In 2023, Indiana won its first regular season Big Ten title since 1983 and earned its first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Holmes averaged at least 10.8 points per game in all five seasons, including a career-high 22.3 during the 2022-23 season.Indiana set a program record with 28 wins in 2022-23, and won its second most games in program history in 2023-24 with 26.
However, Holmes shared Wednesday on social media that she will undergo knee surgery in May to address reoccurring knee issues. Holmes wrote that she will be ready for the start of training camp in 2025, but it appears she could miss her entire rookie season.
Here's Holmes' full message regarding her injury and WNBA future.
"As many of you know during my time as a Hoosier my career was interrupted multiple times due to a reoccurring issue with my knee, that has been present since my 9th grade year in high school," Holmes posted to social media on Wednesday. "My major focus at these times was to get back on the court as quickly as possible to be with my teammates and help our team succeed."
"While the entire medical staff at IU was wonderful in doing everything to rehabilitate and prevent the injury, all while getting me back on the court safely, I never took the steps to correct the porblem and the damage it caused."
"However, at this time to ensure my body is healthy and my playing career is as long and successful as possible, I have decided to get the necessary surgery in May to prevent further issues and alleviate the pain it has caused."
"I have declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft and pray that a team honors me with a selection knowing I will be ready for the start of the 2025 training camp. Your support, thoughts, and prayers at this time are appreciated!"
