Katie Lou Samuelson

Samuelson played for the Mater Dei High School basketball team for three seasons. As a sophomore in 2012–13, she averaged 20.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and helped Mater Dei to a 30–2 record. The following season, Samuelson averaged 29.2 points and 9.4 rebounds. She was named the 2014 California Player of the Year and was a USA Today first-team All-American. As a senior, Samuelson averaged 24.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. She helped Mater Dei win their third consecutive Trinity League championship and the 2015 state regional championship; the team finished 31–3. Following the 2014–15 season, Samuelson was named the national player of the year by Gatorade, USA Today, McDonald's, and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, won the Naismith Trophy, and made the consensus All-American first team. During her high school career, she set Mater Dei single-season records for points average (29.2), field goal percentage (62.0), free throw percentage (89.4), free throws made (178), free throws attempted (211), and three-pointers made (117). ==College career==

Samuelson was a freshman at the University of Connecticut in 2015–16. She played in 37 of the Huskies' 38 games, including 22 starts. She missed the national championship game due to an injury. During the season, Samuelson scored 11.0 points per game and led the team with 78 made three-pointers, which was the second-most ever by a Connecticut freshman. She scored a season-high 22 points against Robert Morris on March 19. Samuelson was named the 2016 national freshman of the year by ESPNw. She was also named to the American Athletic Conference all-freshman team and the AAC all-tournament team. ==National team career==

Samuelson was part of the United States under-17 team who won the 2013 FIBA Americas U-16 Championship and subsequent 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship. Samuelson was part of the United States women's national 3x3 team that would compete in the inaugural Olympic tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics, but wound up off the team as she contracted COVID-19 just prior to the start of the games. Samuelson returned to the team in the 2023 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup. ==Professional career==

in 2019 Chicago Sky (2019) Samuelson was drafted 4th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2019 WNBA draft, with whom she spent her rookie season. Across 20 games, she averaged 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists during 7.7 minutes per game. Dallas Wings and Perfumerías Avenida (2020-2021) Samuelson was traded to the Dallas Wings for Azura Stevens on February 14, 2020, making Katie Lou and her sister Karlie teammates for the first time as professionals. However, Karlie was waived before the season began. The sisters still wound up playing together in Spain as Samuelson signed with Karlie's team Perfumerías Avenida. Samuelson helped Avenida win the Spanish championship and finish second in the continental EuroLeague, being listed on the team of the tournament in both championships. Seattle Storm (2021) Samuelson was traded on February 10, 2021, to the Seattle Storm for the number one overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft, who became Charli Collier. While with Seattle, Samuelson became a full-time starter for the first time in her career, having started 24 of the 27 games she played for them while averaging career highs of 7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Katie Lou’s sister Karlie later joined the Storm and played three games with them in August and September 2021. Los Angeles Sparks (2022) Her tenure with the Storm ended on February 3, 2022, when she and the 2022 WNBA draft ninth pick were traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Gabby Williams. Samuelson was a teammate with Williams for three years at UConn and both women were selected fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in consecutive years, Williams having been picked in 2018. Indiana Fever (2024) , (right) during a game in 2024 After not playing the 2023 season due to her pregnancy, Samuelson signed with the Indiana Fever prior to the 2024 WNBA season on February 1, 2024. On February 10, 2025, Samuelson was waived by the Fever and signed a mutual contract termination agreement with the team. Phantom BC and second stint with Seattle Storm (2025–present) On December 20, 2024, it was announced that Samuelson had signed with Phantom BC (filling their wildcard spot) for the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. On February 21, 2025, Samuelson signed with the Seattle Storm for a one-year deal, returning to the franchise after four years. On May 3, 2025, the Storm announced that Samuelson sustained a right ACL tear during practice on May 1. After missing the 2025 season, it was announced in April 2026 that she had been re-signed by the Storm. ==Career statistics==

WNBA Regular season Stats current through end of 2024 regular season Playoffs College ==Off the court==

Personal life Samuelson was born in Fullerton, California. Her father Jon played basketball at Cal State Fullerton and professionally in Europe. Her mother Karen was a netball player from England. Katie Lou has two older sisters who both played at Stanford: Bonnie, who after college decided to instead study optometry; and Karlie, who has played in the WNBA and currently plays for the Portland Fire. She became engaged to fellow basketball player Devin Cannady on February 4, 2022; they got married on April 22, 2023. Samuelson revealed on February 10, 2023, via Instagram that she and Cannady were expecting a baby, and their daughter was born on August 4. Philanthropy In February 2024, Samuelson joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective and their collaboration with VOICEINSPORT (VIS) as a mentor, "aimed at keeping girls in sport and developing diverse leaders on the court and beyond the game." ==See also==