Michigan State women's basketball has had an impressive run with Robyn Fralick at the helm, and one of the key pieces from the team received some great news this week. Grace VanSlooten gave it her all for the green and white during her two seasons in East Lansing, and that hard work and effort has paid off.
The 6-foot-3 forward heard her name called during the third round of Monday night's 2026 WNBA Draft.
She's headed to Seattle to play for the Storm.
Grace and green just go together. 💚
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) April 14, 2026
Welcome to Seattle, @gvanslooten40! pic.twitter.com/I8TvplC5Zo
She was selected 39th overall by the Seattle Storm, making her the ninth Spartan women's player to ever be drafted. She was also the first Spartan to be drafted since Nia Clouden went 12th overall in 2022.
The Storm are getting a hard-working player in VanSlooten, and for her to get an opportunity back close to where she began her collegiate career at Oregon is pretty cool.
VanSlooten's selection was also only one of three Big Ten schools to have a player drafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft, joining UCLA who had six players taken and Ohio State who had one.
VanSlooten hosted a draft party in her hometown in Toledo, Ohio, on Monday night. WTOL 11 News in Toledo was on hand for the event, and spoke with Grace about hearing her named called.
"Definitely nerve-wracking, just really exited to see my name at all and super grateful for that," VanSlooten said. "I am just going to take every opportunity I get and just make the most of it."
Getting drafted in the WNBA doesn't guarantee you a spot on the roster, with only so many spots for players, but the fact that Grace heard her named called gives her the opportunity to compete for a spot. Not to mention she will be joined in Seattle by Spartan teammate Jalyn Brown who was invited to training camp with the Storm.
Best of luck to both ladies as they embark on their professional careers.
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