Katie Lou Samuelson Bio
Katie Lou Samuelson (born June 13, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). A 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) small forward, she played college basketball for the UConn Huskies and was part of the 2016 NCAA championship team. Samuelson is also the director of player development for the Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball program. Across her career, she has played in the WNBA, in Spain’s top league, and in the women’s 3×3 game.
Early Life and Background
Katie Lou Samuelson was born in Fullerton, California, and grew up in a deeply athletic household. Her father, Jon Samuelson, played basketball at Cal State Fullerton and later professionally in Europe, while her mother, Karen Samuelson, was a netball player from England. She has two older sisters, Bonnie and Karlie, both of whom played basketball at Stanford, with Karlie going on to a WNBA career of her own.
The family environment gave Samuelson an early grounding in competitive sport and an understanding of what a professional path in basketball could look like. Her parents’ athletic backgrounds, combined with her sisters’ achievements, helped shape her approach to the game from a young age.
Path to Basketball
Samuelson attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where she became one of the most decorated players in the program’s history. As a sophomore in 2012–13, she averaged 20.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, helping Mater Dei to a 30–2 record. She continued to develop as a junior, averaging 29.2 points and 9.4 rebounds, and was named the 2014 California Player of the Year and a USA Today first-team All-American.
Following her senior season, in which she averaged 24.9 points and 8.5 rebounds and led Mater Dei to a third straight Trinity League title, Samuelson was named national player of the year by Gatorade, USA Today, McDonald’s, and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. She also won the Naismith Trophy and was a McDonald’s All-American in 2015. She set multiple Mater Dei single-season records, including points average (29.2), free throws made (178), and three-pointers made (117).
Katie Lou Samuelson Career
College Career (2015–2019)
Samuelson joined the UConn Huskies in 2015–16 and quickly became a key contributor. As a freshman, she played in 37 of 38 games, including 22 starts, and led the team with 78 made three-pointers, the second-most ever by a UConn freshman. She missed the national championship game due to injury but still helped UConn win the 2016 NCAA title. She was named the 2016 national freshman of the year by espnW.
In 2016–17, Samuelson started all 37 games and averaged 20.2 points per game, ranking second in the American Athletic Conference. On March 6, 2017, she scored a career-high 40 points against South Florida and set the NCAA single-game record for most three-pointers made without a miss, with 10. She was named AAC co-player of the year and the AAC tournament most outstanding player, and was a first-team All-American by the AP, WBCA, and USBWA.
Across her final two college seasons, Samuelson added two more All-American honors and a third AAC Player of the Year nod, and on January 13, 2019, she surpassed 2,000 career points, becoming the tenth UConn player to reach that milestone.
Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings Era (2019–2020)
Samuelson was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2019 WNBA Draft and spent her rookie season there. Across 20 games, she averaged 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 7.7 minutes per game. On February 14, 2020, she was traded to the Dallas Wings for Azura Stevens, briefly joining her sister Karlie as a professional teammate.
CB Avenida and Seattle Storm (2020–2021)
Samuelson signed with Karlie’s Spanish club, Perfumerías Avenida, where she helped the team win the Spanish championship and finish as runners-up in the EuroLeague. She was named to the team of the tournament in both competitions and won the Liga Femenina Endesa Finals MVP award in 2021.
On February 10, 2021, Samuelson was traded to the Seattle Storm for the number one overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, who became Charli Collier. With Seattle, she became a full-time starter for the first time in her career, starting 24 of 27 games and posting career highs of 7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. She also won the 2021 Commissioner’s Cup with the Storm.
Los Angeles Sparks and Return to Seattle (2022–Present)
Her tenure with the Storm ended on February 3, 2022, when she was traded, along with the 2022 WNBA Draft ninth pick, to the Los Angeles Sparks for Gabby Williams. After sitting out the 2023 season due to pregnancy, Samuelson signed with the Indiana Fever on February 1, 2024, and was waived on February 10, 2025.
On December 20, 2024, Samuelson signed with Phantom BC for the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. On February 21, 2025, she signed a one-year deal to return to the Seattle Storm. On May 3, 2025, the Storm announced that Samuelson had suffered a right ACL tear during practice on May 1, causing her to miss the 2025 season. In April 2026, the Storm re-signed her.
Driving Style and Strengths
Samuelson is best known as a perimeter shooter with size, capable of stretching defenses from the small forward position. Her 119 made three-pointers in 2016–17 ranked second in UConn history, and she set the NCAA single-game record for most three-pointers made without a miss (10) against South Florida. Her shooting range and length also allow her to contribute as a rebounder and secondary playmaker, particularly during her starting run with Seattle in 2021.
Notable Events and Milestones
Samuelson’s career-defining moments include helping UConn win the 2016 NCAA championship, setting the NCAA single-game three-point record in 2017, surpassing 2,000 career college points in 2019, winning the 2021 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with Seattle, and capturing the 2021 Spanish league title with Perfumerías Avenida. She also represented the United States at the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Cup and competed for the U.S. women’s 3×3 national team.
Katie Lou Samuelson Career Wins
Katie Lou Samuelson has built a résumé that spans college, professional, and international competition. Her verified titles include the 2016 NCAA championship with UConn, the 2021 Commissioner’s Cup with the Seattle Storm, and the 2021 Spanish league championship with Perfumerías Avenida.
NCAA Highlights
As a UConn freshman in 2015–16, Samuelson contributed to the program’s national championship run, even though she missed the title game due to injury. Across her four college seasons, she was a three-time WBCA All-American, a two-time USBWA All-American, a two-time AAC Player of the Year, and the AAC tournament most outstanding player in 2017.
Other Wins and Performances
In 2021, Samuelson helped Perfumerías Avenida win the Liga Femenina Endesa title in Spain and was named Finals MVP. That same year, she won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with the Seattle Storm, capping a breakthrough professional season in which she became a full-time starter for the first time.
Katie Lou Samuelson Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Katie Lou Samuelson comes from a family with deep basketball roots. Her father, Jon Samuelson, played at Cal State Fullerton and professionally in Europe, while her mother, Karen Samuelson, was a netball player in England. Her older sisters, Bonnie and Karlie Samuelson, both played at Stanford, and Karlie has also had a WNBA career.
Personal Life
Katie Lou Samuelson married fellow basketball player Devin Cannady on April 22, 2023, after becoming engaged on February 4, 2022. Their daughter was born on August 4, 2023. The family has navigated the demands of her professional schedule together, including her time in the WNBA and overseas.
2025 Season Performance
Samuelson’s 2025 storyline began with her signing a one-year deal to return to the Seattle Storm on February 21, 2025, after stints with the Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever, and Phantom BC of Unrivaled. The move was framed as a homecoming after four years away from the franchise.
On May 3, 2025, the Storm announced that Samuelson had suffered a right ACL tear during practice on May 1, ruling her out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season. The injury cut short what was meant to be a meaningful comeback campaign in Seattle.
Looking ahead, Samuelson was re-signed by the Storm in April 2026, signaling the franchise’s continued belief in her long-term role once she recovers. Her focus will be on rehabilitation and returning to full strength for future WNBA seasons.