Mackenzie Holmes Bio
Mackenzie Holmes (born November 1, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Geelong Venom of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia. She rose to national attention as a standout forward for the Indiana Hoosiers, where she became one of the most decorated players in program history. After being selected 26th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2024 WNBA draft, Holmes has continued her professional career abroad while building on her college résumé of dominant scoring and shot-blocking numbers.
Early Life and Background
Mackenzie Holmes grew up in Gorham, Maine, where she attended Gorham High School and quickly emerged as a dominant force in the state’s basketball scene. She won state titles in each of her first two seasons with the Rams, establishing her team as a perennial contender. Her physical profile and skill set drew statewide attention from a young age, and she continued to develop through consistent coaching and competitive play.
As a senior at Gorham High School, Holmes averaged 30.1 points, 16.7 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game, earning Maine Gatorade Player of the Year honors. She was a three-time Southwestern Maine Activities Association Player of the Year and left the program as its all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocks. Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN, she was regarded as one of the top prospects in her class nationally.
Path to Basketball
Coming out of high school, Holmes chose to play college basketball at Indiana over offers from Iowa State, Boston College, Belmont and James Madison. The decision marked the beginning of a five-season collegiate journey with the Hoosiers. Her path to becoming a program legend began immediately, as she translated her high school production into the Big Ten Conference.
Holmes’ development was steady and visible. Each season she added new dimensions to her game, from perimeter shooting to interior defense, and she became the central figure in Indiana’s resurgence as a national contender. By the time her college career concluded, she had earned consensus All-American recognition and cemented her place among the most accomplished players in Indiana history.
Mackenzie Holmes Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
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 set the program record for field goal percentage at 63.4 percent, a mark that would stand as a testament to her finishing ability. The early success signaled her long-term potential, even as she adjusted to the speed and physicality of college basketball.
Holmes moved into a starting role as a sophomore and produced a breakout campaign, averaging 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, earned a spot on the media All-Defensive Team and became the first player in program history to receive Associated Press All-American honorable mention.
Indiana Hoosiers Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Holmes continued her ascent as a junior, averaging 15.2 points and seven rebounds per game while earning second-team All-Big Ten recognition. On December 29, 2022, she posted 32 points and 12 rebounds in an 83–78 loss to Michigan State. Just over a month later, on February 13, 2023, she recorded a career-high 33 points in an 83–59 win over Ohio State, further establishing herself as a reliable scoring presence in big moments.
During her senior season, Holmes led Indiana to the Big Ten regular season title and the most wins in program history. She averaged 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, setting new 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, opting to return for a fifth season of eligibility to continue building on the program’s upward trajectory.
Seattle Storm Era (2024–2025)
On April 15, 2024, 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, officially beginning her WNBA career.
Holmes was waived by the Storm on May 12, 2025, before being re-signed on June 16. She made her professional debut the following day, on June 17, 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 the WNBL in Australia for the 2025–26 season, taking her talents abroad for her next professional opportunity.
Driving Style and Strengths
Holmes is recognized for her interior scoring efficiency, shot-blocking instincts and rebounding consistency. Her career field goal percentages at Indiana reflect an elite ability to finish around the rim, while her defensive averages highlight her timing and shot-altering presence in the paint. These traits make her a complementary frontcourt piece at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holmes’ 33-point performance against Ohio State on February 13, 2023, stands as her college career high. She also set program records for field goal percentage in both her freshman and senior seasons, a rare feat that underscores her consistency. Leading Indiana to its first Big Ten regular season title and most wins in program history further cements her legacy with the Hoosiers.
Mackenzie Holmes Career Wins
Across her high school, college and professional career, Holmes has built a résumé defined by team success and individual accolades. Her state titles at Gorham High School and Big Ten regular season championship at Indiana represent the team-oriented milestones of her journey. Individual recognition has followed at every level, from Maine Gatorade Player of the Year to unanimous first-team All-American honors.
Indiana Hoosiers Highlights
Holmes helped lead Indiana to the Big Ten regular season title during her senior campaign, along with the most wins in program history. She earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. She was also a unanimous first-team All-American in 2023 and a second-team All-American by the USBWA in 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
At Gorham High School, Holmes won state titles in each of her first two seasons and was a three-time Southwestern Maine Activities Association Player of the Year. Her professional career has included a WNBA debut win against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 17, 2025, and a signing with the Geelong Venom of the WNBL for the 2025–26 season.
Mackenzie Holmes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Personal Life
2025 Season Performance
Mackenzie Holmes’ 2025 season was defined by perseverance and a long-awaited professional debut. After missing the 2024 campaign due to knee surgery, she signed her rookie contract with the Seattle Storm on February 12, 2025, marking the official start of her WNBA career. Her early season was disrupted when she was waived on May 12, but the Storm re-signed her on June 16, and she debuted the following day against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Holmes appeared in limited minutes off the bench during the 2025 WNBA season, adjusting to the speed and physicality of the professional game. On September 10, 2025, she signed with the Geelong Venom of Australia’s WNBL for the 2025–26 season, an opportunity to expand her game in a new league.
Looking ahead, Holmes is positioned to take on a larger role with the Geelong Venom and continue developing within the Storm organization. Her combination of shot-blocking, interior scoring and rebounding gives her a clear pathway to extended minutes at both the WNBA and international levels.