Joyner Michelle Holmes is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Seattle Storm in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Named after the legendary Olympic track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Holmes has carved out her own path in the world of sports.
The daughter of Ronald and Twana Holmes, she grew up in a household that nurtured athletic talent—her father, Ronald, played college basketball at Central State University in Ohio.
Holmes rose to prominence as a high school standout at Cedar Hill High School, where she was ranked as the No. 3 recruit in the 2016 class by ESPN HoopGurlz.
Siblings
Joyner has one brother named Ronnie.
However, while Joyner has made a name for herself in basketball, information about her siblings remains scarce in the public domain.
Career
Holmes’ journey began at Cedar Hill High School, where she dominated the court, averaging 24.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game in her senior year.
Her stellar performance earned her Co-MVP honors at the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic and a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
At the University of Texas, Holmes continued to shine.
In her freshman season (2016–17), she averaged 12.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, earning her the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year award and a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
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Over her college tenure, she developed into a versatile forward known for her rebounding and scoring ability.
Holmes entered the WNBA in 2020 when the Seattle Storm selected her as the 19th overall pick in the second round of the draft.
She signed with the New York Liberty later that year, marking the start of her professional career.
Since then, she has played for multiple teams, including the Las Vegas Aces, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm.
Her most notable WNBA season came in 2023 with the Storm, where she averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds across 29 games, including a standout performance of 12 points, six rebounds, and a career-high three blocks in a win over Phoenix on June 24.
In 2024, she recorded her second career double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) against Phoenix, further showcasing her growth as a player.
Internationally, Holmes has also represented the United States, winning a gold medal with the U17 team at the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship and a silver medal with the U19 team at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup.
Accolades
Holmes’ career is decorated with numerous accolades that highlight her skill and impact on the court.
During her high school years, she was named Co-MVP of the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic, selected as a 2016 McDonald’s All-American, and ranked No. 3 by ESPN HoopGurlz in the 2016 recruiting class.
In college, she earned the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year title in 2017 and a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team that same year.
On the international stage, she won a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA U-17 World Championship, where she averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, and a silver medal at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup, where she led Team USA with 8.7 rebounds per game.
In the WNBA, she made history on June 24, 2023, becoming the fourth player to record 12 or more points, two or more three-pointers, three or more blocks, three or more rebounds, two or more assists, and one or more steal off the bench in a single game.
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