McKenzie Forbes Bio
McKenzie Forbes (born June 23, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. A 6-foot-1 guard, she has built her career across top college programs and three professional leagues in three countries. She first reached the professional level when she was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Since entering the professional ranks, Forbes has played in the WNBA, Australia’s NBL1 South, New Zealand’s Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, and Athletes Unlimited. Her combination of scoring, playmaking, and versatility has allowed her to post strong statistical performances in every league she has joined.
Early Life and Background
McKenzie Forbes was born on June 23, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the United States and developed her basketball skills in a competitive environment that eventually led her to one of the most recognized high school programs in northern California.
She attended Folsom High School in Folsom, California, where she emerged as one of the top prospects in her class. Her play in high school was strong enough to earn her a place on the 2018 McDonald’s All-American team, one of the most prestigious honors a high school basketball player in the United States can receive.
That recognition helped her secure a scholarship to play Division I college basketball and set the stage for a college career that would take her across multiple elite academic and athletic institutions.
Path to Basketball
Forbes began her college basketball career with the California Golden Bears. Following her freshman season in Berkeley, she made the decision to transfer, a common move in college basketball that allows players to find the best fit for their development.
She moved to Harvard, where she intended to play for the Crimson. However, the 2020–21 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting her early opportunities at the school. Once she did take the floor, she produced at a high level, averaging 14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during her junior year with the Crimson.
After completing her time at Harvard and becoming ineligible to continue there, Forbes transferred to the University of Southern California for the 2023–24 season. At USC, she was named All-Pac-12 and was selected as the Pac-12 Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2024, finishing her college career with one of the strongest individual seasons in the conference.
McKenzie Forbes Career
WNBA Career (2024–2025)
McKenzie Forbes was selected in the third round, 28th overall, by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 WNBA draft. Her selection reflected her senior-year performance at USC and her proven scoring ability at the college level. Her time with the Sparks, however, was brief.
On May 12, 2024, the Sparks waived Forbes. After competing in Australia and New Zealand, she returned to the WNBA pathway in 2025. On February 28, 2025, she signed a training camp contract with the Dallas Wings. She was waived by the Wings on May 3, 2025, leaving her as a free agent.
NBL1 South – Waverley Falcons (2024)
Following her release from the Sparks, Forbes joined the Waverley Falcons of Australia’s NBL1 South for the 2024 season. The move gave her the opportunity to play professional basketball overseas and showcase her game against experienced international competition.
Across 16 games with the Falcons, she averaged 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals in 27.8 minutes per game. Her contributions helped the Falcons capture the 2024 NBL1 South championship, one of the most significant team achievements of her early professional career.
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa – Mainland Pouākai (2024)
After her time in Australia, Forbes traveled to New Zealand to play for the Mainland Pouākai of the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa. Her arrival in the league quickly produced one of the most memorable individual performances in its short history.
On November 24, 2024, in a 97–89 win over the Tokomanawa Queens, Forbes scored 39 points, setting a new league single-game scoring record. Across 13 games with the Pouākai, she averaged 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.1 minutes per game, establishing herself as one of the league’s top performers.
Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball (2025)
Forbes also competed in the 2025 season of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball, a pro league that uses a rotating individual scoring system. Her participation added another professional environment to her résumé and allowed her to continue developing her game during the 2025 calendar year.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of McKenzie Forbes’s early professional career came on November 24, 2024, when she set the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa single-game scoring record with 39 points against the Tokomanawa Queens. In addition, she is a McDonald’s All-American (2018), a 2024 NBL1 South champion with the Waverley Falcons, and a 2024 Pac-12 Tournament MVP from her senior season at USC.
McKenzie Forbes Career Wins
In her first year as a professional, Forbes helped the Waverley Falcons win the NBL1 South championship in 2024, the only verified team title of her career so far.
League Highlights
Forbes’s most significant team achievement to date is the 2024 NBL1 South title with the Waverley Falcons, earned during her first season outside the college ranks. Her individual high came later that year in New Zealand, when she posted a league-record 39-point game for the Mainland Pouākai. Across her professional career, she has averaged between 16 and 19 points per game in every league she has played in, an indicator of consistent scoring production.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to her NBL1 South title, Forbes has earned All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 Tournament MVP honors from her 2023–24 season at USC, and a 2018 McDonald’s All-American selection from her time at Folsom High School. She has also contributed as a starter for the Mainland Pouākai and competed in Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball in 2025.
McKenzie Forbes Family
Personal Life
Publicly verified personal details about McKenzie Forbes are limited. She is an American citizen who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. No spouse, partner, or children have been confirmed in the available verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been defined by movement and opportunity for McKenzie Forbes. She joined the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball league for its 2025 campaign, continuing to play high-level basketball after her record-setting year in New Zealand.
On February 28, 2025, she signed a training camp contract with the Dallas Wings, earning another chance to compete for a roster spot in the WNBA. However, on May 3, 2025, the Wings waived her, leaving her once again as a free agent.
Forbes’s 2025 outlook remains open. With proven scoring ability, a documented record-setting performance overseas, and experience in multiple professional leagues, she remains a candidate for future WNBA opportunities or international contracts as the calendar continues.