EAST LANSING — As one of the top players in the transfer portal in 2024, Grace VanSlooten had several options as she explored her next move after spending the first two seasons of her college career at Oregon.
And ultimately, the Toledo, Ohio, native found all she needed much closer to home with the Michigan State women’s basketball program.
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VanSlooten believed in MSU after it had a successful first season under coach Robyn Fralick. And the Spartans saw VanSlooten as a perfect piece that could help elevate their program.
The match has worked out perfect for both parties.
VanSlooten has helped MSU continue its rise as a program with the Spartans taking a 22-8 record and a No. 5 seed into their NCAA tournament opener against No. 12 seed Colorado State on Friday, March 20, at the University of Oklahoma. That seed is the best for MSU since it was a 4-seed in 2016.
And VanSlooten has been able to continue her growth on the court the past two seasons with assistant Dean Lockwood playing a pivotal role. She’s also been able to experience the NCAA tournament for the first time.
Michigan State’s Grace VanSlooten shoots and draws a UCLA foul during the third quarter on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
“I was looking for a development coach like Dean,” VanSlooten said in late February as she looked back on her decision to become a Spartan. “I just wanted to win, which we’ve done both seasons I’ve been here. Then also I was looking for a good place to call home and it helps that I’m two hours from home so I get to see my family quite a bit. I’m happy with my decision, for sure.”
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VanSlooten has been a big factor over her two seasons at MSU, finishing as a second team All-Big Ten selection each year. She heads into the NCAA tournament as MSU’s leading scorer at 15.0 points and ranks second in rebounding at 6.6 boards per game. VanSlooten is shooting 49.9% from the field and joins Kennedy Blair as the only two players who have started all 30 games for MSU.
With what she’s done the past two seasons, Fralick said VanSlooten has been a major part in helping the Spartans take steps forward.
“She was a transfer that could have gone anywhere in the country and she chose Michigan State and she chose to help elevate our program and become a better player,” Fralick said. “Her work ethic to me is what stands out the most. Some people have a goal and Grace has a plan. I think there’s a big distinction in that. She’s left a huge mark. One, choosing Michigan State, and, two, elevating our program.”
Michigan State forward Grace VanSlooten, left, drives against Michigan forward Kendall Dudley (22), Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Ann Arbor.
VanSlooten has cherished her time at MSU and hopes to extend her journey for as long as possible.
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And the Spartans will rely on her contributions as they look to make some noise in the NCAA tournament. VanSlooten shined last season in her first taste of the tournament with double-doubles in MSU’s opening-round win over Harvard and its second-round setback to N.C. State. She is one of three players in MSU history with multiple double-doubles in the NCAA tourney.
From March 2025: Grace VanSlooten’s strong play a bright spot in rough NCAA ending for Michigan State women
Now the goal is to help the Spartans reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.
“I’m a senior and I don’t want my college career to be over so I’m going to do whatever I can to win that game and move on to the next round because I’m going to try and enjoy it as long as I can,” VanSlooten said. “I don’t want to leave college basketball. It’s been so great to me. I’ve just loved my time here.”
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Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Grace VanSlooten leads charge in MSU women’s basketball’s progress
