BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University star Mackenzie Holmes will head west to start her WNBA career, but will have to wait to take the court.
Holmes was drafted 26th overall by the Seattle Storm in Monday's WNBA draft. The Hoosiers' all-time leading scorer was picked one spot before the Indiana Fever's third round selection came up.
In declaring for the draft last week on social media, Holmes announced that she was planning to undergo surgery to correct a knee issue she's dealt with since her freshman year of high school.
"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 problem and the damage it caused," Holmes wrote.
Holmes said she decided on the surgery to ensure a playing career that "is as long and successful as possible," but that the surgery will mean missing the 2024 WNBA season.
"(I) pray that a team honors me with a selection knowing I will be ready for the start of the 2025 Training Camp," Holmes continued. "Your support, thoughts, and prayers at this time are appreciated."
On Monday night, the Seattle Storm was just that team.
Holmes was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team, All-Big Ten Defensive team and U.S. Basketball Writers Association and AP All-American this season. She averaged 19.8 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Hoosiers this past season, while shooting a conference-best 65% from the floor. Her scoring average was second only to Indiana Fever draft pick Caitlin Clark in the Big Ten.
The Gorham, Maine native averaged 17.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 147 games at IU.
She is the sixth player in Indiana history to be drafted by a WNBA team, continuing a streak of three straight seasons of a Hoosier hearing her name called at the WNBA draft.