A Journey Marked by Resilience
Holmes’s path to the Storm’s current 2025 roster has been anything but linear. Drafted 26th overall in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by Seattle, Holmes entered the league with high expectations, given her domination at Indiana University. However, her rookie season never materialized due to knee surgery, which sidelined her for the entire campaign facebook.com+11en.wikipedia.org+11sbnation.com+11.
The knee injury was a significant setback, but her resolve shone through during rehab. As she later reflected, “…it just takes a certain amount of discipline… Just trusting that if it’s meant to be, God will make it happen” bangordailynews.com. That faith was soon tested again during the 2025 preseason, when Holmes earned a training camp invite but was ultimately cut on May 12—making her the final player waived highposthoops.com+15si.com+15sbnation.com+15.
Despite the disappointment, Holmes stayed battle-ready. She maintained her health, honed her skills, and waited for the right opportunity. As reports noted, Seattle’s roster suddenly realigned when Yueru was traded, presenting Holme with a much‑anticipated call.
Presason Preview: A Glimpse of Potential
In Seattle’s only preseason game (May 4), Holmes put up an eye‑opening stat line: 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks sbnation.com+1highposthoops.com+1si.com+2storm.wnba.com+2bangordailynews.com+2. Her 80% field goal efficiency and defensive presence made an impression, positioning her as a strong candidate to fill the void left by Yueru kiro7.com.
Analysts and fans alike took note. In r/wnba, a user commented:
“She was good in their preseason game so it’s logical. And I suppose no risk of her complaining regarding low playing time.” si.com+15reddit.com+15wmtw.com+15
Indeed, Holmes’s modest stat line and team-first mentality reflect an ideal blueprint for a developmental asset in a competitive rotation.
Indiana Roots, National Stardom
Holmes’s journey began in Gorham, Maine, where she starred at Gorham High, claiming two state titles. As a senior, she averaged a dominating 30.1 points, 16.7 rebounds, and nearly 4 blocks per game, earning Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year facebook.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9sbnation.com+9.
At Indiana, Holmes continued to impress. Over five seasons, she racked up 2,530 career points—becoming the Hoosiers’ all-time scoring leader—and grabbed 1,043 field goals at a 63.9% clip sbnation.com+3storm.wnba.com+3si.com+3. She also led Indiana to record wins (123) and set the program high for field goal percentage en.wikipedia.org+4si.com+4storm.wnba.com+4.
Her senior years were especially noteworthy: in 2022–23, Holmes earned unanimous All-Big Ten First Team, All‑Big Ten Defensive Team, USBWA and AP All‑American honors and averaged 22.3 points per game with 7.3 rebounds and almost 2 blocks si.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3sbnation.com+3. During the 2023–24 season, she further elevated her game, maintaining elite scoring efficiency and field-goal percentages, making her one of the most efficient bigs in NCAA women’s basketball.
Seasoned and Poised for Seattle
Now 24 and standing at 6’3”, Holmes brings to Seattle the high-IQ, efficient paint presence teams covet. While not as tall as Li Yueru, Holmes offers a rugged toughness and reliability near the rim kiro7.com+2sbnation.com+2highposthoops.com+2.
Seattle’s current season is both promising and demanding. With a 6–5 record, the Storm sit third in the Western Conference. Head coach Noelle Quinn is shaping this team into a playoff contender—where depth and versatility on the frontline will be crucial highposthoops.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
Holmes adds just that: versatility. Her preseason performance hinted at seamless integration into lineups that mix offense and defense, offering the Storm defensive rebounding and shot-blocking bursts. As HighPostHoops noted: “Holmes…will likely make her WNBA debut soon” bangordailynews.com+2highposthoops.com+2si.com+2.
What Holmes Brings to the Storm Now
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Efficient Scoring in the Paint
Hudson’s elite field-goal percentages at Indiana translate into immediate value in short-range scoring, mid-post moves, and footwork—assets prized in WNBA bigs en.wikipedia.org+3en.wikipedia.org+3sbnation.com+3storm.wnba.com. -
Rim Protection and Defensive Presence
Averaging nearly 2 blocks per game in college, Holmes demonstrated shot deterrence. During the preseason she had 3 blocks in a single game, earning praise as a natural fill-in for the Storm’s interior defense swishappeal.com+6bangordailynews.com+6si.com+6. -
Rebounding Strength
Her 8 rebounds in the preseason match suggest she can handle crash boards and hold her ground—an area Seattle could leverage, especially on second-chance possessions . -
Leadership and Work Ethic
Holmes’s attitude has been praised by family, coaches, and reporters. Her father called her signing “a dream come true,” noting her perseverance through “apprehension and worries” after surgery bangordailynews.com. Her coach at Gorham also praised her natural instincts: “blocking shots, rebounding and scoring efficiently… she needs the right opportunity” bangordailynews.com.
These qualities speak to a player ready to punch above her draft status and cast a lasting impact on a playoff-contending Seattle roster.
Roster Ripple Effects
Li Yueru’s departure on June 14 altered Seattle’s frontcourt depth structure and cap space bangordailynews.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5kiro7.com+5. Holmes’s signing addresses both structural and developmental needs. Not only does it fill a positional void, but it also gives Seattle a “home‑grown” talent to develop under coach Quinn.
Seattle’s rotation now features veterans and dynamic newcomers: Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins‑Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, Lexie Brown, and rookie Dominique Malonga (No. 2 overall pick) highposthoops.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4. Holmes offers the flexibility to ease out Yueru’s scoring void and allow others to shift roles without sacrificing physicality.
A Milestone Debut
Holmes made her official WNBA regular-season debut on June 18 in Seattle’s road matchup against the Sparks. She recorded 5 minutes of play, grabbed one rebound, and totaled zero points—still, it marked a milestone after a long recovery and a winding route to the league sbnation.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1bangordailynews.com.
Expect her minutes to grow gradually. For now, the goal is clear: integrate Holmes in small spurts, let her show what she learned at Indiana and prove that the Storm’s investment pays dividends.
Looking Ahead: A Storm to Watch
Holmes’s return aligns with Seattle’s broader season ambitions: a playoff run and long-term growth. With 44 regular-season games and a best‑of‑seven finals format, the WNBA is trending toward deeper rosters and strategic rotations .
Other Storms re-signings—like that of Nneka Ogwumike—and player continuity are paying dividends . Adding Holmes gives them low-risk, high-reward upside. If she returns to form, Seattle gains a three-level scoring option, a defensive presence, and a depth piece with star potential.
The Anatomy of a Comeback
Holmes’s story is archetypal: high school prodigy → collegiate star → draft disappointment due to injury → cut in training camp → perseverance → roster return. It’s a blueprint for not just WNBA players, but athletes across sports.
Two themes define her narrative:
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Mental Resilience: Overcoming knee surgery—an injury that derails many careers—took focused discipline and mental strength reddit.com+15sbnation.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15bangordailynews.com+1kiro7.com+1.
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Preparation Meets Opportunity: Holmes’s preseason burst and ability to stay ready earned her second chance. When Yueru’s trade opened a roster spot, Holmes was the logical fill en.wikipedia.org+5sbnation.com+5highposthoops.com+5.
Seattle’s front office decision underlines this ethos: invest in players who can grow into bigger roles whe
Mackenzie Holmes’s signing is more than a roster transaction—it’s a testament to hard-earned perseverance. From knee surgery to college dominance, preseason promise, and finally her WNBA debut, Holmes embodies the transitional spirit of today’s WNBA: deep, strategic, and inspirational.
For the Storm, continued patience in developing her, paired with her evident talents, could pay off in both 2025 and beyond. Her journey reminds fans that the path to the league isn’t linear—it’s paved with grit, passion, and unyielding preparation. Seattle fans have every reason to root for Holmes’s ascent, not just as a Storm player, but as a symbol of resilience and potential in women’s basketball.
Upcoming Dates
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June 18, 2025: Holmes’s regular‑season debut vs. Sparks bangordailynews.com
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June 22: Next home game vs. New York Liberty at Climate Pledge Arena kiro7.com+2storm.wnba.com+2highposthoops.com+2
Seattle’s season is in full swing, and Mackenzie Holmes is now part of the ride. If she continues to shine, her story will serve as both beacon and blueprint: talent meets tenacity, and opportunity meets preparedness. Here’s to the next chapter.
