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 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and playing the power forward position, she wears number 8 for the Aces and has built a career as a versatile frontcourt contributor. Holmes has also suited up for the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm across her WNBA career, and she represented the United States at the youth international level.
A former standout at the University of Texas, Holmes earned multiple Big 12 honors during her freshman season and was rated among the top recruits in the country out of Cedar Hill High School. Her professional path has taken her from a 2020 second-round draft selection by the Seattle Storm to stints with several WNBA franchises and overseas competition, reflecting a steady presence in the league.
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 developed her game in one of the most competitive basketball regions in the country. Her physical tools and instincts in the post were evident from a young age, and she quickly emerged as a high-major recruit.
Holmes attended Cedar Hill High School, where she became one of the most decorated players in program history. As a senior, she averaged 24.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, showcasing an all-around skill set that drew national attention. She was named Co-MVP of the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic game, participated in the 2016 McDonald’s All-American game, and was ranked No. 3 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz in the 2016 recruiting class.
Her family supported her athletic development through her formative years, and her high school résumé placed her firmly among the top forward prospects in her class. By the time she graduated, Holmes had already represented the United States on the international stage, winning a gold medal with the under-17 team at the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship in the Czech Republic.
Path to Basketball
Holmes committed to the University of Texas, joining the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball program for the 2016–2017 season. Her transition to college basketball was immediate and impactful, as she stepped into a featured role from her very first game. The Longhorns’ system allowed her to operate from the high post and the block, and her rebounding and scoring touch translated smoothly to the next level.
As a freshman in 2016–2017, Holmes averaged 12.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, anchoring the frontcourt and earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, First-team All-Big 12, and Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors. Her double-double production and physicality on the glass signaled that she was ready for a long career as a college starter.
Over the next three seasons at Texas, Holmes continued to refine her offensive game. She averaged 6.8 points and 6.0 rebounds as a sophomore, bounced back to 11.8 points and 6.7 rebounds as a junior, and closed her senior year with 13.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 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 earn a silver medal.
Joyner Holmes Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
On April 17, 2020, the Seattle Storm selected Holmes as the 19th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft. Her draft position reflected her upside as a frontcourt prospect, and the Storm quickly moved her into a developmental role. Within months, she was on the move, signing with the New York Liberty on June 26, 2020, to begin her rookie season in the league.
Holmes spent her first WNBA campaign with the Liberty, where she earned meaningful minutes as a rotation forward. Her energy on the boards and willingness to defend in the post made her a useful piece for a competitive roster, and her WNBA debut marked the start of a professional career that would soon span multiple franchises and overseas leagues.
Liberty and Aces Era (2020–2022)
Holmes continued with the New York Liberty into the 2021 season, building on her rookie experience and learning the demands of a full WNBA calendar. Her rebounding remained a consistent contribution off the bench, and she provided the physical presence the Liberty needed in short stints. The experience of playing through a full regular season helped her understand the pace and physicality of the professional game.
Later in 2021, Holmes joined the Las Vegas Aces, joining one of the most competitive rosters in the league. The Aces’ championship-caliber environment gave her a chance to practice and compete alongside established stars, sharpening her offensive reads. In 2022, she moved to the Connecticut Sun, where she continued her role as a depth forward, adding another franchise to her growing professional résumé.
Sparks, Storm, and Overseas Stint (2023–2024)
Holmes signed with the Los Angeles Sparks for the 2023 season, bringing her frontcourt toughness to a rebuilding Western Conference roster. Her minutes came in spot duty, but her energy on the glass and ability to finish around the rim gave the Sparks a reliable option off the bench. The experience of moving between contenders and developing teams in successive seasons broadened her understanding of varied offensive systems.
Midway through 2023, she was reunited with the Seattle Storm, the team that had originally drafted her, providing a familiar setting for a stretch of her career. After her WNBA commitments, Holmes took her game overseas, playing for Athinaikos from 2024 through 2025. Competing in European competition allowed her to extend her playing calendar and develop her perimeter skills against different styles of play.
Las Vegas Aces Return (2025–Present)
In 2025, Holmes attended training camp with the Dallas Wings but was waived on May 14, 2025. Less than a month later, on June 11, 2025, she signed with the Las Vegas Aces, returning to a franchise with championship expectations. Her versatility as a power forward and her familiarity with the Aces’ system made her a natural fit for the rotation.
Since rejoining the Aces, Holmes has provided frontcourt depth, rebounding, and interior defense as the team pursues another deep playoff run. Her second stint in Las Vegas represents a full-circle moment in her career, returning to the organization where she first established herself as a reliable professional.
Playing Style and Strengths
Holmes is best known for her rebounding, interior physicality, and ability to finish around the basket. Listed at 6 ft 3 in and 210 lb, she uses her size to establish position on the block, crash the offensive glass, and defend multiple frontcourt positions. Her career at Texas showed steady improvement in passing vision and face-up scoring, and her WNBA experience has added defensive discipline to her game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holmes’ basketball résumé includes a 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship gold medal, a 2016 McDonald’s All-American selection, and 2017 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. She was drafted 19th overall in the 2020 WNBA draft and has continued her career across multiple WNBA franchises and overseas competition, including a silver medal at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
Joyner Holmes Family
Personal Life
Joyner Michelle Holmes was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Her upbringing in the Dallas area, combined with her time at Cedar Hill High School and the University of Texas, has kept her closely tied to the state throughout her basketball career. Public information about her immediate family remains limited, and her personal life outside of basketball is largely kept private.
2025 Season Performance
Holmes’ 2025 WNBA season began at Dallas Wings training camp, where she competed for a roster spot before being waived on May 14, 2025. The release opened the door for a quick return to free agency, and on June 11, 2025, she signed with the Las Vegas Aces to bolster their frontcourt depth. Her addition gave the Aces another experienced rebounder and interior defender heading into the middle of the schedule.
Rejoining a Las Vegas team with championship ambitions allowed Holmes to slot into a defined role as a rotation forward, providing energy, screen-setting, and second-chance opportunities. The Aces’ offensive system, which emphasizes pace and floor spacing, suited her ability to finish in traffic and crash the offensive glass.
Looking ahead, Holmes’ 2025 outlook centers on contributing to a deep Aces playoff run while continuing to develop her face-up game and perimeter skills. Her combination of size, experience, and rebounding gives the Aces a dependable option off the bench as the season progresses toward the postseason.