VanSlooten’s Game-Winner Lights Up MSU Cinderella Triumph!
Forward's transfer to MSU in 2024 has helped program take another step under coach Robyn Fralick.
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. 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. "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.