Joyner Holmes Bio
Joyner Michelle Holmes (born February 22, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing at 6 ft 3 in and playing the power forward position, she is known for her rebounding and interior scoring. Holmes has played for multiple WNBA franchises and has also competed professionally overseas in Greece. She was a decorated college athlete at the University of Texas and a McDonald’s All-American in high school.
Born and raised in Texas, Holmes rose to national prominence as one of the top recruits in the 2016 class. She was selected 19th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2020 WNBA draft and has since built a career as a reliable frontcourt contributor. Her journey from Dallas to the WNBA reflects years of steady development at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Early Life and Background
Joyner Michelle Holmes was born on February 22, 1998, in Dallas, Texas, in the United States. She grew up in the Dallas area and attended Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, where she quickly emerged as one of the most talented basketball players in the state. Her physical tools and competitive nature made her a standout from an early age.
During her senior year at Cedar Hill, Holmes averaged 24.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, demonstrating her all-around ability on the court. Her performance at the high school level earned her a spot on the 2016 McDonald’s All-American game roster, and she was ranked No. 3 overall in the 2016 recruiting class by ESPN HoopGurlz. She was also named Co-MVP of the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic game and earned Texas Miss Basketball honors the same year.
Path to Basketball
Holmes’ path to the WNBA began with strong showings on the international stage as a teenager. She helped the United States under-17 team win a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship in the Czech Republic, averaging 10.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1 assist per game during the tournament. These early international experiences gave her valuable exposure to high-level competition and helped shape her development as a forward.
Her standout high school career continued to draw national attention, and she was recognized as one of the top prospects in the country. Holmes then chose to attend the University of Texas, where she joined the Longhorns women’s basketball program in 2016. She immediately became an impact player in the Big 12 Conference, earning First-team All-Big 12, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors during her first collegiate season in 2017.
Joyner Holmes Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Holmes played four seasons of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns from 2016 to 2020. In her freshman year, she averaged 12.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, immediately establishing herself as a double-double threat. Her production earned her a sweep of major Big 12 freshman accolades in 2017.
Her sophomore season saw her average dip to 6.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, but she rebounded in her junior year with averages of 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. In her senior campaign, Holmes delivered her strongest collegiate season, averaging 13.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2 assists per game. She also represented the United States at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Italy, helping the team to a silver medal while averaging 9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
WNBA Breakthrough (2020–2021)
On April 17, 2020, the Seattle Storm selected Joyner Holmes as the 19th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft. Shortly after, on June 26, 2020, she signed with the New York Liberty, where she began her professional career. Holmes spent her rookie season with the Liberty, adjusting to the pace and physicality of the professional game while contributing off the bench.
In 2021, Holmes joined the Las Vegas Aces, expanding her exposure to a contending roster. Her movement between franchises during this period reflected the competitive nature of the WNBA and the constant search for the right fit. Despite frequent team changes early in her career, she continued to develop her game and contribute as a frontcourt player.
Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm Era (2021–Present)
Following her time with the Liberty, Holmes had stints with the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, the Connecticut Sun in 2022, the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023, and returned to the Seattle Storm from 2023 to 2024. She also played overseas for Athinaikos in Greece from 2024 to 2025, gaining valuable international experience in European competition.
In 2025, Holmes briefly joined the Dallas Wings for training camp before being waived on May 14, 2025. She then signed with the Las Vegas Aces on June 11, 2025, returning to the franchise and reinforcing her frontcourt depth. Most recently, on May 22, 2026, Holmes signed a hardship contract with the Seattle Storm, marking her return to the team that originally drafted her.
Playing Style and Strengths
Holmes is a 6 ft 3 in power forward who plays with strength and physicality in the paint. She excels as a rebounder on both ends of the floor and is capable of posting up smaller defenders and finishing around the rim. Her combination of size, footwork and effort makes her a dependable option in half-court sets, and she has continued to refine her passing and mid-range touch throughout her professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the most notable milestones in Joyner Holmes’ career include her selection as the 19th pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, her 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship gold medal, and her 2017 FIBA U-19 World Cup silver medal. She was also a McDonald’s All-American in 2016 and earned Texas Miss Basketball the same year. Her ability to compete on multiple continents, including in Greece with Athinaikos, has added an international dimension to her professional resume.
Joyner Holmes Career Wins
Joyner Holmes’ career has been built more on consistency and longevity than on championship hardware, though she has accumulated meaningful accolades at every level. Her international success includes a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship and a silver medal at the 2017 FIBA U-19 World Cup. At the collegiate level, she earned First-team All-Big 12, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors in 2017.
WNBA and International Highlights
Holmes has played for several WNBA franchises, including the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm. Her overseas experience with Athinaikos in Greece from 2024 to 2025 added another chapter to her professional journey. She has also been a reliable training-camp invitee and short-term contributor for playoff-caliber teams throughout her career.
Other Performances and Honors
Beyond her WNBA and overseas play, Holmes earned Texas Miss Basketball honors in 2016 and was named Co-MVP of the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic game. Her USA Basketball experiences at the U-17 and U-19 levels also stand out as defining moments of her early career.
Joyner Holmes Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Joyner Michelle Holmes was raised in the Dallas, Texas area, where she developed her basketball skills from a young age. Specific details about her parents and immediate family are not widely documented in publicly available sources, though her upbringing in a competitive Texas basketball scene clearly played a role in her development as an athlete.
Personal Life
Holmes has kept much of her personal life private, and details about her marital status, spouse and children have not been publicly confirmed. She is known to be active on social media, including her verified Instagram presence. Her professional journey has taken her across multiple U.S. cities and to Greece, reflecting the demanding lifestyle of a modern professional basketball player.
2025 Season Performance
Joyner Holmes’ 2025 season began with an invitation to the Dallas Wings training camp, where she competed for a roster spot but was ultimately waived on May 14, 2025. After her release, she did not remain out of work for long, as the Las Vegas Aces signed her on June 11, 2025, providing her with a fresh opportunity to contribute for a championship-contending team. Her familiarity with the Aces organization, having played for them previously in 2021, helped ease her transition back into the rotation.
Her 2025 stint in Las Vegas allowed Holmes to play meaningful minutes in a competitive WNBA environment while also completing her overseas commitment with Athinaikos in Greece. The dual-schedule grind of European and American basketball is common for WNBA players, and Holmes handled both roles throughout the year. Her ability to contribute on both sides of the Atlantic demonstrated her durability and professional approach to the game.
Looking ahead, Holmes’ career trajectory suggests she will continue to be a dependable frontcourt option for WNBA teams in need of size and rebounding. Whether through hardship contracts, training-camp invites, or full-season roster spots, her versatility and experience make her a valuable addition to any locker room. The 2025 season reaffirmed her reputation as a hard-working professional who can adapt to multiple team systems and continue contributing at a high level.