Indiana Fever secure frontcourt depth with signing of Grace VanSlooten
The team addresses injury-related gaps in the lineup by acquiring the former Michigan State player from the Seattle Storm
The Indiana Fever have signed rookie forward Grace VanSlooten to a rest-of-season contract, the team announced on Friday afternoon. The roster move follows the waiver of guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough on the preceding Thursday, which created an available spot on the squad.
VanSlooten, a 6-foot-3 forward, was selected with the No. 39 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. She previously appeared in four games for the Storm, including one matchup against the Fever, where she averaged 4.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. The Storm waived her on May 18.
The signing is designed to bolster the Fever’s frontcourt, which has faced significant disruption due to injuries early in the season. Monique Billings missed the season opener with an ankle injury before returning on May 13. Additionally, star centre Aliyah Boston sat out the game against Seattle on May 17 due to a lower leg injury, returning to the lineup on May 20.
VanSlooten brings experience from her collegiate career at Michigan State, where she was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. During her senior season, she averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, providing the Fever with a proven scorer in the post.
The acquisition adds immediate depth to a rotation that has been tested by the absence of key frontcourt players. The move was reported by Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star, who covers the team as a beat reporter.
