Michigan State University Athletics
Grace VanSlooten Picked 39th in the WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm
4/13/2026 9:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The forward was the ninth Spartan selected in the WNBA draft.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State women's basketball forward Grace VanSlooten was drafted 39th overall (ninth pick of the third round) by the Seattle Storm at the 2026 WNBA Draft presented by State Street Investment Management SPY on Monday in New York City.
Complete Draft Coverage: www.wnba.com/draft/2026/board
Michigan State is one of three Big Ten schools to have players drafted along with UCLA and Ohio State. VanSlooten was the first-ever Spartan taken by the Storm and seventh Big Ten player overall.
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Big Ten First Round Draft Picks
Lauren Betts, UCLA (Washington Mystics, fourth overall)
Gabriela Jacquez, UCLA (Chicago Sky, fifth overall)
Kiki Rice, UCLA (Toronto Tempo, sixth overall)
Angela Dugalić, UCLA (Washington Mystics, ninth overall)
Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA (Connecticut Sun, 15th overall)
Big Ten Second Round Draft Picks
Charlisse Leger-Walker, UCLA (Connecticut Sun, 18th overall)
Chance Gray, Ohio State (Los Angeles Sparks, 24th overall)
Big Ten Third Round Draft Picks
Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State (Seattle Storm, 39th overall)
VanSlooten, a native of Toledo, Ohio was the ninth Spartan to be selected in the WNBA draft. In 2022, Nia Clouden was drafted 12th in the first round by the Connecticut Sun. Tori Jankoska was the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Chicago Sky, while Aerial Powers was the fifth overall pick in 2016 going to the Dallas Wings. Maxann Reese and Kristen Rasmussen were the first Spartans selected in the WNBA, drafted in 2000. Reese was taken in the third round, while Rasmussen was selected in the fourth. In 2003, Syreeta Broomfield was drafted in the third round. In 2005, Kristin Haynie was the ninth overall pick by Sacramento, while Liz Shimek was taken in the second round by Phoenix in 2006.
With the first pick in the 2026 draft, Dallas picked UConn's Azzi Fudd. TCU's Olivia Miles was drafted second by the Seattle Storm.
VanSlooten earned All-Big Ten honors in both seasons she was at Michigan State after two seasons at Oregon. She capped off a stellar senior season, leading the Spartans in scoring, averaging 15.1 ppg. In her four-year career, she scored 1,849 points, including 962 at Michigan State. VanSlooten also had 842 career rebounds. She led MSU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
She finished this season 11th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.500) and steals (1.9 spg). VanSlooten was also 16th in the league in scoring (15.1 ppg).
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Complete Draft Coverage: www.wnba.com/draft/2026/board
Michigan State is one of three Big Ten schools to have players drafted along with UCLA and Ohio State. VanSlooten was the first-ever Spartan taken by the Storm and seventh Big Ten player overall.
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DRAFTED✨
— Michigan State Women's Basketball (@MSU_WBasketball) April 14, 2026
Grace VanSlooten is headed to the @seattlestorm!🌪️ pic.twitter.com/owU38wvu5Q
Big Ten First Round Draft Picks
Lauren Betts, UCLA (Washington Mystics, fourth overall)
Gabriela Jacquez, UCLA (Chicago Sky, fifth overall)
Kiki Rice, UCLA (Toronto Tempo, sixth overall)
Angela Dugalić, UCLA (Washington Mystics, ninth overall)
Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA (Connecticut Sun, 15th overall)
Big Ten Second Round Draft Picks
Charlisse Leger-Walker, UCLA (Connecticut Sun, 18th overall)
Chance Gray, Ohio State (Los Angeles Sparks, 24th overall)
Big Ten Third Round Draft Picks
Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State (Seattle Storm, 39th overall)
VanSlooten, a native of Toledo, Ohio was the ninth Spartan to be selected in the WNBA draft. In 2022, Nia Clouden was drafted 12th in the first round by the Connecticut Sun. Tori Jankoska was the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Chicago Sky, while Aerial Powers was the fifth overall pick in 2016 going to the Dallas Wings. Maxann Reese and Kristen Rasmussen were the first Spartans selected in the WNBA, drafted in 2000. Reese was taken in the third round, while Rasmussen was selected in the fourth. In 2003, Syreeta Broomfield was drafted in the third round. In 2005, Kristin Haynie was the ninth overall pick by Sacramento, while Liz Shimek was taken in the second round by Phoenix in 2006.
With the first pick in the 2026 draft, Dallas picked UConn's Azzi Fudd. TCU's Olivia Miles was drafted second by the Seattle Storm.
VanSlooten earned All-Big Ten honors in both seasons she was at Michigan State after two seasons at Oregon. She capped off a stellar senior season, leading the Spartans in scoring, averaging 15.1 ppg. In her four-year career, she scored 1,849 points, including 962 at Michigan State. VanSlooten also had 842 career rebounds. She led MSU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
She finished this season 11th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.500) and steals (1.9 spg). VanSlooten was also 16th in the league in scoring (15.1 ppg).
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