Grace Slaughter 'Embracing' New Role as Face of Mizzou Women's Basketball

Grace Slaughter has taken the mantle, and won't be looking back.

Missouri player Grace Slaughter smiles during an interview with Paul Finebaum during SEC Media Day at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2024. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In an offseason full of roster and staff turnover for the Missouri Tigers, one thing has remained consistent – Grace Slaughter.

After leading the team in scoring last season with 15 points per game, the rising junior guard is one of two returning Tigers within the top-seven scorers. With Ashton Judd entering the transfer portal, Slaughter has now undeniably claimed the role as the sole face of the program.

Head coach Kellie Harper will be entering her first season with Missouri, and possesses a roster full of unfamiliar faces. Despite not being the coach to initially recruit Slaughter to Missouri, she's had a long-instilled faith in Slaughter's ability.

"I've followed her career, I've enjoyed watching her play." Harper said of Slaughter during a press conference Monday. "I think she means a lot to this program, to this community, to this university, and obviously to our team and to our team, moving forward."

Given the organizational turnover of staff and upperclassmen, Missouri's locker room will have an absence of leading voices – Slaughter has plans to step up.

"As a leader, I'll definitely focus on trying to be more vocal this season and making sure my teammates can hear me in different ways." Slaughter said. "Bringing the team together and working on leadership"

While she plans to lead the team throughout the offseason process and into the next season, her skills have already affected the team built around her. With four transfers committed – and counting – a main pitch from Harper has been simple; "Playing with players like Grace," Harper said.

Feb 8, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Grace Slaughter (0) attempts a three point basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Slaughter's gravity as one of the premiere scorers in the Southeastern Conference was attractive enough for incoming transfers. But the work ethic behind the success is an even more alluring quality for a teammate.

"She has pro habits. This kid is in the gym every day," Harper said.

Slaughter has showed tremendous year-to-year growth in her first two seasons, increasing in almost every major counting stat from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025. While her role gets larger each season, she's been able to handle new on-court responsibilities effectively.

After a plethora of teammates and her former head coach departed from the program, many were left wondering why Slaughter stuck around instead of taking what could be considered an easy way out. Seeing Harper's passion for the game was a factor, but the Missouri native's love for the city runs deeper than basketball.

"The community that Columbia has, and the relationships you build over time," Slaughter said of why she stuck with Missouri. "Mizzou is so much more than just a place I get to play basketball at."

As the new era of Missouri women's basketball is ushered in, Slaughter seems like the perfect candidate to lead the way.