Katie Lou Samuelson is an American professional basketball player known for her versatility, shooting ability, and success at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Early Life & High School
Born: June 13, 1997, in Fullerton, California
She played high school basketball at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.
As a senior, she was named the Naismith National Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American.
College Career (UConn: 2015–2019)
Samuelson played for the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies, where she was a key player under coach Geno Auriemma.
Won the 2016 NCAA Championship as a freshman.
Named AAC Player of the Year (2017, 2018).
Became one of UConn’s top all-time scorers, known for her three-point shooting.
Finished her college career averaging 16.8 points per game.
WNBA Career
2019 WNBA Draft: Selected 4th overall by the Chicago Sky.
Played for several WNBA teams, including:
Chicago Sky (2019)
Dallas Wings (2020)
Seattle Storm (2021)
Los Angeles Sparks (2022–present)
International & Overseas Play
Played for teams in Spain and Australia during WNBA offseasons.
Won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup.
Was selected for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics 3×3 basketball team but was unable to compete due to COVID-19 protocols.
Playing Style & Strengths
Elite three-point shooter.
Strong basketball IQ and versatile forward.
Great movement off the ball and ability to create shots.
High School Career: Samuelson attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where she distinguished herself as a top basketball prospect. During her junior year, she averaged 29.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, earning the 2014 California Player of the Year honor and a spot on the USA Today first-team All-American list. In her senior year, she maintained impressive stats with 24.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, leading Mater Dei to a 31–3 record and a state regional championship. Her outstanding performance garnered her multiple national player of the year awards, including those from Gatorade, USA Today, McDonald’s, and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
College Career: Samuelson played collegiate basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 2015 to 2019. As a freshman, she contributed to the team’s success, though an injury sidelined her during the national championship game. In her sophomore year, she averaged 20.2 points per game and set an NCAA record by making 10 consecutive three-pointers without a miss in a single game. Throughout her college career, Samuelson was a consistent scorer and three-point shooter, finishing with 382 made three-pointers, ranking second in UConn’s history.
Professional Career: Samuelson was selected fourth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She has since played for multiple teams, including the Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, and Indiana Fever. In the 2024 season with the Fever, she appeared in 37 games, starting 15, and averaged 4.3 points per game. In February 2025, Samuelson and the Fever mutually agreed to part ways, making her a free agent.
National Team Career: Samuelson has represented the United States in international competitions, including the 2013 FIBA Americas U-16 Championship and the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship. She was also part of the U.S. women’s national 3×3 team selected for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but was unable to participate due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. She returned to 3×3 basketball in the 2023 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup.
Off the Court: Samuelson is married to fellow basketball player Devin Cannady, with whom she welcomed a daughter in August 2023. She is also involved in philanthropy, serving as a mentor in the WNBA Changemakers Collective’s collaboration with VOICEINSPORT, aiming to keep girls engaged in sports and develop diverse leaders.
For a visual showcase of her skills, you might enjoy this highlight reel from her 2022 season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIqF0M8A3ts&utm_source=chatgpt.com
