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Michigan State’s Grace VanSlooten Heads to the WNBA After Seattle Draft Selection
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- Michigan State’s Grace VanSlooten Heads to the WNBA After Seattle Draft Selection
(© Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA)
Michigan State Lady Spartans star Grace VanSlooten is taking her fierce play down low from college to the pros.
The Seattle Storm selected VanSlooten in the third round with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, adding a physical and versatile forward to their rebuilding roster.
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At 6-foot-3, VanSlooten brings size, toughness, and a relentless competitive edge to a Storm team looking to climb out of a rut. Seattle has struggled to find postseason success in recent years after winning WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020.
The Storm have been eliminated in the first round in each of the past two seasons, winning just one game in that span. Now, they're turning to a new wave of young talent—starting with players like VanSlooten—to shift the momentum.
VanSlooten arrived in East Lansing after transferring from Oregon following her sophomore season, and she wasted no time making an impact.
From the moment she stepped onto the court for Michigan State, her presence was undeniable. Whether it was her physicality in the paint or her ability to crash the boards, VanSlooten quickly became a key piece of the Spartans' lineup.
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While she showed consistency throughout her college career, it was her senior season that truly elevated her game.
Starting all 32 games, VanSlooten played a major role in leading Michigan State to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. Her leadership and production were critical, especially in high-pressure moments.
As a senior, she averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 offensive rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting an efficient 50 percent from the field.
Her impact carried into the NCAA Tournament, where she totaled 31 points and 17 rebounds across two games. In the opening round against Colorado State, VanSlooten delivered a double-double and helped power the Spartans to a narrow three-point victory.
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It was a game that required everything she had. Her relentless second-half effort provided the spark Michigan State needed to fend off a tough Colorado State team and avoid an early upset.
With the win, the Spartans advanced to the second round for back-to-back seasons—something the program had not accomplished in a decade.
Even before her senior breakout, VanSlooten had already etched her name into the program's history.
During her junior season, she recorded 103 offensive rebounds, tying for fifth-most in a single season in Michigan State women's basketball history alongside Jasmine Hines (2015–16). Her ability to create second-chance opportunities became one of her defining traits.
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That same skill set—effort, positioning, and physical dominance on the glass—should translate well to the next level.
Seattle's draft strategy made it clear they are prioritizing size and versatility. With the No. 3 overall pick, the Storm selected center Awa Fam out of Spain. Later in the first round, they added Duke guard Taina Mair at No. 14.
They continued to build their frontcourt depth early in the second round, selecting forward Marta Suarez out of TCU with the 16th overall pick.
The Storm capped off their draft class with VanSlooten, rounding out a group of four talented players who will help shape the franchise's future.
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Now, VanSlooten gets her opportunity to prove that her physical style and consistent production can translate to the professional level.
For Michigan State fans, her journey is another example of the program developing high-level talent capable of reaching the next stage.
And for Seattle, it may be the start of something new.
