Mackenzie Holmes Bio
Mackenzie Holmes (born November 1, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who plays as a forward for the Geelong Venom of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia. She is also a member of the Seattle Storm of the WNBA. Holmes played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers, where she became one of the most decorated players in program history. She was selected 26th overall by the Storm in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Standing at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), Holmes is recognized for her scoring efficiency, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability. After a standout career at Indiana, she transitioned to the professional ranks and has competed in both the WNBA and Australia’s WNBL.
Early Life and Background
Mackenzie Holmes grew up in Gorham, Maine, where she attended Gorham High School. She quickly established herself as one of the most dominant high school players in the state, winning state championships in each of her first two seasons. Her size, skill, and basketball IQ set her apart from her peers and drew national attention.
As a senior, Holmes averaged 30.1 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game. She was named Maine Gatorade Player of the Year and was a three-time Southwestern Maine Activities Association Player of the Year. By the end of her high school career, she had become her school’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and blocks. Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN, she chose to play college basketball at Indiana over offers from Iowa State, Boston College, Belmont, and James Madison.
Path to Basketball
Holmes’s path to elite-level basketball began in her youth in Maine, where her early success at Gorham High School laid the foundation for her future. Her ability to dominate both offensively and defensively made her a coveted recruit, and her decision to attend Indiana provided her with a platform to compete in one of the strongest conferences in college basketball.
Her development at the high school level, combined with her physical tools and work ethic, prepared her for the rigors of Big Ten competition. By the time she arrived in Bloomington, Holmes was already viewed as a player with significant professional potential, and her collegiate career confirmed that assessment.
Mackenzie Holmes Career
College Career (2019–2024)
As a freshman at Indiana, Holmes averaged 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. She also set the program record for field goal percentage at 63.4 percent, an early sign of her elite efficiency around the basket.
Entering a starting role in her sophomore season, Holmes averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while leading the Big Ten with three blocks per game. She was named first-team All-Big Ten, made the media All-Defensive Team, and became the first player in Indiana program history to earn Associated Press All-American honorable mention. As a junior, she averaged 15.2 points and seven rebounds per game, earning second-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Junior and Senior Seasons Breakthrough (2022–2024)
On December 29, 2022, Holmes posted 32 points and 12 rebounds in an 83–78 loss to Michigan State, signaling her continued growth. On February 13, 2023, she recorded a career-high 33 points in an 83–59 win over Ohio State. That season, Holmes led Indiana to the Big Ten regular season title and the most wins in program history.
As a senior, Holmes averaged 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, setting program records in field goal percentage (68.0) and field goals made (281). She was named a unanimous first-team All-American, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Big Ten. Holmes opted to use her fifth season of eligibility and returned to Indiana, where she continued to add to her legacy before declaring for the WNBA Draft.
Professional Career (2025–Present)
On April 15, 2024, Mackenzie Holmes was selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft as the 26th overall pick by the Seattle Storm. She underwent knee surgery in May and was unavailable for the 2024 season, delaying her professional debut.
On February 12, 2025, the Storm signed Holmes to a rookie contract. On May 12, she was waived by the Storm, but was re-signed on June 16. She made her WNBA debut on June 17, 2025, in a 98–67 win against the Los Angeles Sparks, playing five minutes off the bench. On September 10, 2025, Holmes signed with the Geelong Venom of Australia’s WNBL for the 2025–26 season, where she was named to the All-WNBL First Team.
Playing Style and Strengths
Holmes is known for her elite efficiency around the basket, shot-blocking ability, and strong rebounding. Her size and footwork make her a difficult matchup in the post, and her defensive instincts have earned her multiple All-Defensive Team selections. She combines scoring touch with interior presence, making her a two-way contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holmes led Indiana to the Big Ten regular season title and the most wins in program history during the 2022–23 season. She was named a unanimous first-team All-American in 2023 and set program records for career field goal percentage and field goals made. Her selection by the Seattle Storm in the 2024 WNBA Draft marked the beginning of her professional career, and her All-WNBL First Team selection with the Geelong Venom highlighted her immediate impact abroad.
Mackenzie Holmes Career Wins and Honors
Mackenzie Holmes has accumulated a wide range of individual honors across high school, college, and professional basketball. Her career is defined by consistent excellence, with multiple All-American and All-Big Ten selections.
WNBL Highlights
During the 2025–26 WNBL season with the Geelong Venom, Holmes was named to the All-WNBL First Team, recognizing her impact in her first professional season abroad. This selection confirmed her status as a rising professional talent.
College Honors and Performances
Holmes earned numerous accolades at Indiana, including unanimous first-team All-American honors in 2023 and second-team All-American recognition from the USBWA in 2024. She was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection (2021, 2023, 2024) and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. She also earned multiple All-Defensive Team honors and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2020.
Mackenzie Holmes Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mackenzie Holmes grew up in Gorham, Maine, where she developed her basketball skills. She has maintained a private personal life, with limited public information available regarding her family background. Her focus has remained on her basketball career.
Personal Life
Holmes is not married and does not have children. She continues to pursue her professional basketball career, splitting time between the WNBA and Australia’s WNBL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Mackenzie Holmes’s entry into professional basketball. After signing her rookie contract with the Seattle Storm in February, she was waived in May before being re-signed in June. She made her WNBA debut on June 17, 2025, contributing in a win over the Los Angeles Sparks.
On September 10, 2025, Holmes signed with the Geelong Venom of the WNBL for the 2025–26 season. Her strong play in Australia earned her All-WNBL First Team honors, signaling a positive trajectory for her career. Looking ahead, Holmes is expected to continue developing her game and competing at the highest professional level.
