Former Gorham High School star and Indiana University All-American Mackenzie Holmes was drafted in the third round of the WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm on Monday night.
She was the 26th overall pick.
On her social media account, Holmes wrote ‘DREAM COME TRUE.’
She is the second Maine native to be picked in the WNBA draft. Former UMaine star Cindy Blodgett was selected in the first round, 6th overall, by the Cleveland Rockers in 1998. She played one season with the Rockers and three with the Sacramento Monarchs.
The 6-foot-3 Holmes, a forward, was Indiana’s all-time leading scorer with 2,530 points during her five-year career.
She also set the career marks for field goals made with 1,043; field goal percentage (63.9 percent) and wins (123).
She is second in blocked shots (258) and games played (147), She was third in double-doubles with 26; tied for third in points per game (17.2) and fourth in rebounds (990).
According to published reports, Holmes announced on social media she will undergo knee surgery in May and will miss the entire 2024 season. But she expected to be ready for training camp for the 2025-26 campaign.
She was the school’s first first-team All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23.
Holmes returned to her home state with Indiana on Nov. 30 and led the Hoosiers to a 67-59 victory over the University of Maine at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. She had 22 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
The former Maine Gatorade Player of the Year was a four-time Bangor Daily News All-Maine Schoolgirl Basketball Team selection including a three-time first team choice. She led Gorham to two state AA titles and concluded her high school career with 1,745 points, 1,018 rebounds and 365 blocked shots.
In a story in Hoosiersnow.com, Holmes said via her social media account that she has had a recurring issue with her knee since her freshman year at Gorham.
“My major focus at these times was to get back on the court as quickly as possible to be with my teammates and help our team succeed.
“However, at this time, to ensure my body is healthy and my playing career is as long and successful as possible, I have decided to get the necessary surgery in May to prevent further issues and alleviate the pain it has caused.
“While the entire medical staff at IU was wonderful in doing everything to rehabilitate and prevent the injury, all while getting me back on the court safely, I never took the steps to correct the problem and the damage it caused,” she said.