Katie Lou Samuelson is a pro basketball player from the U.S. who plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. She made her mark playing college basketball for the UConn Huskies. Besides her playing career, she’s also the director of player development for the Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball team.
Katie Lou Samuelson was born on June 13, 1997, in Fullerton, California, United States. For three seasons, she was a key player on the Mater Dei High School basketball team. In her sophomore year (2012/2013), she averaged an impressive 20.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, helping the team achieve a stellar 30–2 record. In 2014, Katie Lou Samuelson earned the title of California Player of the Year and was recognized as a first-team All-American by USA Today. She played a key role in helping Mater Dei clinch their third straight Trinity League championship and the state regional championship in 2015. By the end of the 2014/2015 season, she was recognized as the national player of the year by Gatorade, USA Today, McDonald’s, and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, won the Naismith Trophy, and earned a spot on the consensus All-American first team.
Katie Lou Samuelson was a freshman at the University of Connecticut in 2015-16. She appeared in 37 of UConn Huskies’ 38 games, including 22 starts. She missed the national championship game due to an injury. ESPNw named her the 2016 National Freshman of the Year. She was also chosen to the American Athletic Conference’s all-freshman and all-tournament teams. In 2016/2017, Katie Lou Samuelson started all 37 games for the UConn Huskies. Her 20.2 points per game and 42.0 three-point field goal percentage were both second in the AAC. Her 119 three-pointers that season were the second most in school history. She was also named a first team All-American by the AP, WBCA, and USBWA, as well as an AAC first team member.
Katie Lou Samuelson got picked 4th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2019 WNBA draft and played her rookie season with them. Throughout 20 games, she averaged 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists, spending about 7.7 minutes on the court each game.
On February 14, 2020, Katie Lou Samuelson was traded to the Dallas Wings for Azura Stevens. During her time with Avenida, Katie Lou Samuelson played a crucial role in helping the team secure the Spanish championship and achieve a commendable second-place finish in the continental EuroLeague. Her outstanding performances earned her a well-deserved spot on the team of the tournament in both championships.
Subsequently, on February 10, 2021, Katie Lou Samuelson was traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for the number one overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft, who turned out to be Charli Collier. While playing for the Seattle Storm, Katie Lou Samuelson experienced a significant career milestone as she transitioned into a full-time starter for the first time. Throughout her tenure, she showcased remarkable improvement, starting 24 out of the 27 games she participated in and achieving career-high statistics of 7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. The bond of sisterhood also found its way onto the court when Katie’s sister, Karlie, later joined the Seattle Storm, adding a heartwarming familial connection to the team as she contributed to three games during the months of August and September 2021.
Her time with the Seattle Storm concluded on February 3, 2022, when she and the ninth pick of the 2022 WNBA draft were exchanged for Gabby Williams, who was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks. Katie Lou Samuelson, a former teammate of Williams for three years at UConn Huskies, was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in consecutive years, with Williams being chosen in 2018.
Katie Lou Samuelson took a break from the 2023 season because she was pregnant, but she’s back in the game! She signed with the Indiana Fever on February 1, 2024, just in time for the upcoming WNBA season.
Katie Lou Samuelson photos
