Toledo Native Grace VanSlooten Drafted in 3rd Round of WNBA

VanSlooten, a former Notre Dame Academy star, was picked 39th overall by the Seattle Storm.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:55am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of blue, green, and orange, depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball player on the court.A cubist interpretation of a WNBA player's dynamic movements captures the energy and artistry of professional women's basketball.Toledo Today

Grace VanSlooten, a native of Toledo, Ohio and former standout at Notre Dame Academy, was selected in the 3rd round (39th overall pick) of the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm.

Why it matters

VanSlooten's selection marks another Toledo-area player making it to the professional ranks, continuing the city's strong tradition of producing top women's basketball talent. Her journey to the WNBA will inspire young players in the region to pursue their dreams.

The details

VanSlooten, a 6'3" forward, had an impressive college career at the University of Notre Dame, where she averaged 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over her four seasons. Her combination of size, skill, and versatility made her an attractive prospect for WNBA teams.

  • The 2026 WNBA Draft took place on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Grace VanSlooten

A 6'3" forward from Toledo, Ohio who starred at Notre Dame Academy and was selected 39th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Seattle Storm

A professional women's basketball team in the WNBA that drafted Grace VanSlooten in the 3rd round of the 2026 draft.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to add Grace to our roster. She's a versatile player with great size and skill, and we believe she has a bright future in the WNBA.”

— Noelle Quinn, Head Coach, Seattle Storm

What’s next

VanSlooten will now join the Seattle Storm for training camp and the start of the 2026 WNBA season.

The takeaway

Grace VanSlooten's selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft continues Toledo's strong pipeline of producing top women's basketball talent, inspiring the next generation of local players to pursue their professional dreams.