Mackenzie Holmes' WNBA Experience

Through the unknown, cuts, and opportunities.

Mackenzie Holmes had an illustrious career at the University of Indiana. She became the program’s All-Time leading scorer with 2,530 points. Holmes finished with the most wins in IU history with 123. She helped lead the Hoosiers to four NCAA tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16s and an Elite 8 appearance in 2021. She earned several honors, including All-Big Ten First Team (2023-24) and USWBA All-America Second Team (2023-24).

A few days before the 2024 WNBA Draft, Holmes penned a letter online stating that she would be undergoing knee surgery that would keep her out of action for the 2024 season, but that she hoped a team would still take a chance on her during the draft.

The Indiana Hoosier star had her faith rewarded as she was selected 26th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Her dream came true that day, but it was only the beginning.

As she had mentioned in her letter, she would be having surgery that would eliminate any chance of playing in 2024. She would join the Storm for the 2025 Training Camp and try to compete for a roster spot then. After her surgery, she returned to the University of Indiana as a graduate manager to help her former team. And to gain a new perspective as a coach and teacher.

Ahead of training camp this year, she joined the Storm and put the work in right away. Coach Quinn talked about her determination, putting in two-a-days at the Storm’s Practice and Performance Center before training camp had even officially begun. It left a positive impression with Quinn and her coaching staff. The hard work was evident as she got into the best shape of her life.

During the Storm’s only official preseason game, Holmes stood out as one of the more positive bright spots. She was their best reserve in that game. Mack finished with nine points on 4-5 FG and eight rebounds in 21 minutes. She executed pick-and-roll nicely with her teammates. She also had three blocked shots and was very active, showing her heart and hustle.

Holmes really did just about everything you could ask for during the Storm’s training camp. She got in extra workouts. She was attentive and asked questions. And she had a great showing during the preseason game. And yet, the harsh reality of the WNBA would hit her. Despite all of that, it wasn’t enough. Due to salary cap and roster limitations, she didn’t make the final cut.

I spoke with Mackenzie about that moment.

“I mean, it was hard, you know, being in that room, getting told that I wasn't making the final roster was a hard conversation. I think not only for me, but I think that, you know, the coaches also had a hard time telling me that because I think they know how much I want to be in Seattle and how much I want to be a part of this franchise. So it was just a hard conversation. But I was able to go home, spend some time back home in Maine. I was able to see my brother get married. So there were a lot of silver linings. And then the fact that it ended up working out where I was able to come back was really the best of both worlds.” Holmes told me.

I asked if they had given her any indication that they’d like to bring her back later on if possible. She quickly shot that down. Holmes said that they didn’t and that they weren’t able to make any promises.

Fortunately, her hard work did leave a lasting impression. After the Storm’s backup Center, Li Yueru, requested and was granted a trade from the team, Seattle had an open roster spot. They also needed another post player. After Yueru’s departure, they only had Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, and 19-year-old rookie Dominique Malonga. The Storm could have looked to bring in another player, but they wanted to bring Holmes back.

Mackenzie talked to me about when she found out that she was getting a second chance.

“I think when I got waived, I knew it wasn't the end of the relationship that I had with Noey, with Talisa, with Pokey, who were all in the room when they told me. But I just didn't know what that would look like, whether it would be next year or later on in the season. But obviously, they can't make any promises, which I appreciated them not telling me, you know, that I might come back, might not come back. And obviously, there's no way to predict what happens next season. But my agent ended up calling me and telling me that they were going to sign me back, and I immediately called my dad and told him to let him know that they were going to bring me back because it was a really cool moment.”

Now an official member of the Seattle Storm roster, Holmes is tested even further. It’s a significant challenge going up against 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike. Or elite athletes like Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga. It’s not just a challenge for Holmes, though; it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to grow and develop against the best basketball has to offer. Now, as an actual Professional Athlete, Holmes relishes the moment.

“I mean, they're just incredible people and incredibly talented. I think it's just the fact that I get to learn from them every day that is such a blessing for me. You know, there's stuff from each of their games that I can learn from, and they push us to be better every single day, and they set the standard for us game in and game out.” Holmes said.

Like most rookies in the WNBA, Mack doesn’t always see the floor every single game, but that doesn’t mean she’s not important. She is still a vital piece to the team. Whether it’s on the court, in practice, or celebrating her teammates on the bench, she’s giving it her all.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it's just, you know, it means a lot to me. Whether I play zero minutes, five minutes, or ten minutes, winning and being a part of this franchise is something that I never want to take for granted. I really care about each and every one of the girls, the coaches. So, however I can show that day in and day out is how I'm going to show it. I'm a very passionate person. If you followed my career at Indiana, on the court, I was no different. So I'm just… I try to play with a lot of passion, a lot of joy, because I know what it feels like to get the game taken away, and I try to never take that for granted. So anytime I get to be out here with everybody is a blessing.”

With an injury to fellow rookie Dominique Malonga, Holmes was thrust into action earlier than she had been all season in a recent game against the Chicago Sky. Ogwumike talked about her stepping up in that moment.

Nneka said, “Yeah, you know, Dom not being active meant that we had to compensate in other areas, and I mean rebounding has been a point of emphasis all year, and especially against the number one rebounding team we wanted to try and not only exceed our expectations, but also make up for the rebounds that Dom contributes to in that category. And coming in with 12 solid minutes of Mack, a lot of what she does, whether she gets in the game or not, never shows up on the stat sheet. Mack is someone who is incredibly disciplined, and she's always ready. So I had no doubt, whether it was today or in future games, that she'll capitalize on the opportunity. And she had the schemes down, she was aggressive, she got her hands on balls. So I'm just really grateful that we have depth in the front court.”

Coach Quinn added, “Mack has done an excellent job of staying ready every single day. Her sprints, her workouts, her film sessions, what she does in a weight room. And so to have her have this opportunity today, I was very confident because I know she was prepared for it. I thought she played 12 big minutes against a front court that is dynamic, physical, and rebounds well. I thought she held her own. She didn't look tired at all, obviously, because she's super prepared for the moment. She's asked the right questions. She's locked in all the time. She's an excellent teammate, so very deserving of her opportunity here, but also in this particular moment, I thought she did well.”

The Seattle Storm are in the middle of a playoff push. They have two games remaining in their season. They are fighting for one of the final spots. There is a lot of uncertainty for the team after a shaky August, where they lost six games in a row and eight of their 14 games. Even during the stressful moments, there is no place Mackenzie would rather be. Speaking on her opportunity to play in the WNBA, Holmes said.

“It means everything. I mean, again, I know what it feels like to be cut. I know what it feels like to be sidelined. I know all of those feelings and how hard it is. Why would I not make the most out of the moment, whether I'm playing, whether I'm sitting on the bench, whatever my role looks like, I would be doing myself and the rest of the team a disservice by not giving it my all every single day. So I hope that, you know, whether you're people who don't play, I hope that they're still making the most out of the opportunity. And hopefully when the league starts to expand, more opportunities will come for people who don't get as much playing time and people who aren't even in this league.”

For Mack, whatever challenge comes next, she’ll be ready to tackle it head-on.

Notes:
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Photo Credits: Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography

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