Katie Lou Samuelson Bio
Katie Lou Samuelson, born on June 13, 1997, in Fullerton, California, is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, she plays as a forward and is widely recognized for her three-point shooting and versatile scoring ability. Samuelson is also the director of player development for the Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball program, balancing her professional playing career with a leadership role in college athletics.
Samuelson first rose to national prominence as a high school star at Mater Dei High School before starring for the University of Connecticut. She won an NCAA championship with the Huskies and was a multi-time All-American during her college career. She has represented the United States in international competition, including the FIBA 3×3 circuit, and continues to compete at the professional level in both the WNBA and overseas leagues.
Early Life and Background
Katie Lou Samuelson was born on June 13, 1997, in Fullerton, California, to Jon and Karen Samuelson. Her father, Jon, played basketball at Cal State Fullerton and went on to play professionally in Europe, which gave Katie Lou an early understanding of the game’s global landscape. Her mother, Karen, was a netball player from England, further embedding sports into the family culture. Both of Katie Lou’s older sisters, Bonnie and Karlie, played basketball at Stanford, with Karlie going on to a WNBA career of her own.
Samuelson attended Mater Dei High School, where she played three seasons on the varsity basketball team. As a sophomore in 2012–13, she averaged 20.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, helping lead Mater Dei to a 30–2 record. The following season, she raised her averages to 29.2 points and 9.4 rebounds, earning recognition as the 2014 California Player of the Year and a USA Today first-team All-American. During her senior year, she averaged 24.9 points and 8.5 rebounds and led the team to a third straight Trinity League championship.
Following her senior season, 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 as the top high school player in the country and was a consensus first-team All-American. She set multiple Mater Dei single-season records during her career, including points per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-pointers made.
Path to Basketball
Samuelson’s path to basketball was shaped heavily by her family environment, with both parents having athletic backgrounds and two older sisters who competed at the collegiate level. The family’s connection to the sport gave her an early foundation in fundamentals and a deep familiarity with competitive basketball. Her father’s professional experience in Europe also introduced her to international basketball styles from a young age.
Her rapid rise through the high school ranks, combined with her record-setting performances at Mater Dei, established her as one of the most highly recruited players in the country. She chose to attend the University of Connecticut, joining one of the most storied women’s basketball programs in NCAA history. Her decision to play for the Huskies set the stage for her development into a national-level player.
Samuelson also represented the United States in international youth competition, helping the under-17 team win the 2013 FIBA Americas U-16 Championship and the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship. These experiences exposed her to high-level international competition and helped prepare her for the rigors of college basketball at UConn.
Katie Lou Samuelson Career
Early Career at UConn (2015–2019)
Samuelson began her college career at the University of Connecticut during the 2015–16 season. She played in 37 of the Huskies’ 38 games that year, starting 22 of them, and averaged 11.0 points per game while leading the team with 78 made three-pointers, the second-most by a Connecticut freshman in program history. She missed the national championship game due to injury but still played a key role in helping UConn win the 2016 NCAA title. She was named the 2016 national freshman of the year by ESPNW.
As a sophomore in 2016–17, Samuelson started all 37 games and averaged 20.2 points per game, ranking second in the American Athletic Conference. Her 119 made three-pointers that season stood as the second-highest single-season total in school history. 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, sinking 10. She was named a first-team All-American by the AP, WBCA, and USBWA.
WNBA Breakthrough with Seattle Storm (2021)
After spending her rookie season with the Chicago Sky in 2019, where she averaged 2.4 points across 20 games, Samuelson was traded to the Dallas Wings in February 2020. She also signed with Perfumerías Avenida in Spain, where she helped the team win the Spanish championship and finish second in the EuroLeague, earning All-Tournament team honors in both competitions.
In February 2021, Samuelson was traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for the number one overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft. With Seattle, she became a full-time starter for the first time in her WNBA career, starting 24 of 27 games and posting career highs of 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Her sister Karlie briefly joined the Storm later that season, allowing the two to play together briefly as professionals. The Storm went on to win the 2021 Commissioner’s Cup with Samuelson as a contributor.
Seattle Storm Era (2025–Present)
On February 21, 2025, Samuelson signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Storm, returning to the franchise after four seasons elsewhere. The move brought her back to the team where she had previously enjoyed her most consistent WNBA success. She also signed with Phantom BC for the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, a women’s 3-on-3 league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
Unfortunately, on May 3, 2025, the Storm announced that Samuelson had suffered a right ACL tear during practice on May 1. The injury cut short her 2025 season with Seattle and required rehabilitation. Despite the setback, Samuelson remains under contract with the Storm as she works toward recovery.
Driving Style and Strengths
Samuelson is best known for her elite three-point shooting and ability to stretch the floor as a perimeter-oriented forward. Her combination of size, footwork, and outside shooting allows her to create mismatches against defenders. She has been praised for her basketball IQ, unselfish passing, and willingness to contribute in multiple roles on both ends of the court.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Samuelson’s most notable achievements are her 2016 NCAA championship with UConn, her Naismith Prep Player of the Year award in 2015, and her 2017 NCAA single-game record of 10 made three-pointers without a miss against South Florida. She also reached the 2,000 career point milestone at UConn on January 13, 2019, becoming the tenth player in program history to do so.
Katie Lou Samuelson Career Wins
Throughout her career, Katie Lou Samuelson has accumulated a range of team and individual accomplishments across the NCAA, WNBA, and international levels. Her wins span high school state championships, an NCAA title, a Spanish league championship, and a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship.
NCAA and International Highlights
Samuelson won the 2016 NCAA championship as a freshman at UConn despite missing the title game due to injury. She later helped Perfumerías Avenida win the Spanish championship in 2021 and finish as runner-up in the EuroLeague that same season. On the international stage, she won gold with the United States at both the 2013 FIBA Americas U-16 Championship and the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to her championships, Samuelson was named the 2021 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champion as a member of the Seattle Storm. She earned multiple All-American selections during her college career and was a two-time AAC Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018.
Katie Lou Samuelson Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Katie Lou Samuelson comes from a deeply athletic family. Her father, Jon Samuelson, played basketball at Cal State Fullerton and professionally in Europe. Her mother, Karen Samuelson, was a netball player from England. Her older sisters, Bonnie and Karlie Samuelson, both played basketball at Stanford, with Karlie going on to play in the WNBA for the Indiana Fever and currently for the Minnesota Lynx.
Personal Life
Samuelson became engaged to fellow basketball player Devin Cannady on February 4, 2022, and the couple married on April 22, 2023. She announced in February 2023 that she and Cannady were expecting their first child. Their daughter was born on August 4, 2023. The family has navigated her pregnancy, the 2024 return to basketball with the Indiana Fever, and her subsequent injury with the Seattle Storm together.
2025 Season Performance
Samuelson entered the 2025 WNBA season with renewed momentum after signing with the Seattle Storm on February 21, 2025. She had also signed with Phantom BC for the inaugural 2025 Unrivaled season, signaling her commitment to competing at the highest levels of women’s basketball. The early part of the season was marked by optimism as she returned to the franchise where she had previously thrived.
However, on May 1, 2025, Samuelson suffered a right ACL tear during practice, and the Storm officially announced the injury on May 3. The injury prematurely ended her 2025 WNBA campaign and required extensive rehabilitation. She was waived by the Indiana Fever in February 2025 before signing with Seattle, making the Storm her current team moving forward.
Looking ahead, Samuelson’s focus will be on recovery and a potential return to the court for the 2026 season. Her contract with Seattle runs through 2026, providing stability as she works toward full health. Despite the setback, she remains a respected veteran presence whose shooting and leadership continue to be valued assets for the Storm organization.