Karlie Samuelson

An Orange County native, Samuelson is the second of three daughters of two former athletes, her father having played basketball in both Cal State Fullerton and England, where he met her mother, a former netball player who reached the England national team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/For-the-Samuelson-family-it-s-a-Sweet-16-11024108.php|title=For the Samuelson family, it's a Sweet 16 sister act|first=Tom|last=FitzGerald|date=March 23, 2017|website=SFGATE}} During her high school years, Samuelson played at Huntington Beach's Edison and Mater Dei High School, in Santa Ana before heading off to play in college at Stanford University alongside older sister Bonnie. Samuelson played from 2013 to 2017, while also graduating in human biology. Samuelson, who excelled as a three-point shooter, qualified twice for the NCAA final Four, in her freshman year of 2013, and later as a senior in 2017, where she had been a Regional All-Tournament Team before losing the semifinal with a sprained ankle.{{cite news|title=Karlie Samuelson, Stanford's senior class' run comes to an end|url=http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/19048299/women-final-four-karlie-samuelson-stanford-senior-class-run-comes-end|author=Smith, Michelle|date=March 31, 2017|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=May 21, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/draft2017profile/karlie-samuelson/|title=Karlie Samuelson|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}

After being undrafted in the 2017 WNBA draft,{{Cite web|url=http://www.wnba.com/draft2017profile/karlie-samuelson/|title=Karlie Samuelson - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA|date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707005844/http://www.wnba.com/draft2017profile/karlie-samuelson/|archive-date=2018-07-07}} Samuelson joined the Los Angeles Sparks for the 2017 season and played 3 pre-season games, but a fractured left foot suffered during training camp led the team to waive her. Afterwards, she became an assistant coach for the Vanguard Lions, while pursuing a master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardlions.com/roster/22/2/4061.php|title=Karlie Samuelson 2017-18 Women's Basketball - Vanguard University|website=www.vanguardlions.com|access-date=25 May 2021|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108044825/https://www.vanguardlions.com/roster/22/2/4061.php|url-status=dead}} and also re-signed with the Los Angeles Sparks for the 2018 WNBA season where she made the final roster. Samuelson made her WNBA debut on the 20th of May against the Minnesota Lynx scoring 3 points in 13 minutes of playing time, and ultimately appeared in 20 games of the 2018 season and 2 playoff games, averaging 4.2 minutes per game. While Samuelson left having played four games after to the return of starter Jantel Lavender, the Sparks eventually brought her back for the rest of the season in June.{{Cite web|url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/sparks-sign-karlie-samuelson/|title=Sparks Sign Karlie Samuelson|website=Los Angeles Sparks}} After being waived during the Sparks training camp,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/sparks-waive-ashley-walker-karlie-samuelson-trim-season-opening-roster-to-12|title=Sparks waive Ashley Walker, Karlie Samuelson, trim season-opening roster to 12|date=May 24, 2019}} Samuelson joined them late in the 2019 WNBA season, following her appearance for Great Britain in EuroBasket Women 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/sparks-sign-karlie-samuelson-to-seven-day-contract|title=Sparks sign Karlie Samuelson to seven-day contract|date=July 18, 2019}}

In August 2019, she played four games for the Dallas Wings,{{Cite web|url=https://wings.wnba.com/news/wings-sign-karlie-samuelson/|title=Wings Sign Karlie Samuelson|website=Dallas Wings}} who renewed her contract in 2020 and also signed her younger sister Katie Lou Samuelson,{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp-katie-lou-samuelson-dallas-wings-azura-stevens-chicago20200214-20200214-cghypeyz3rewbezgqxxgmk5nty-story.html|title=Swapping UConn players: Katie Lou Samuelson traded to Dallas Wings, in exchange for Azura Stevens|last=Putterman|first=Alex|website=Hartford Courant|date=14 February 2020|accessdate=15 February 2020}} but both were waived before the season begun.{{Cite web|url=https://wings.wnba.com/news/wings-trade-anigwe-waive-karlie-samuelson/|title=Wings Trade Anigwe, Waive Karlie Samuelson|website=Dallas Wings}} At the same time the Samuelson sisters were playing together in Spain for Perfumerías Avenida.{{Cite web|url=http://www.perfumeriasavenidabaloncesto.com/sala-de-prensa/karlie-samuelson-la-francotiradora-para-avenida.html|title=KARLIE SAMUELSON, la "francotiradora" para AVENIDA - Perfumerias Avenida Baloncesto Salamanca}}

Karlie signed again with the Sparks again in 2021,[https://sparks.wnba.com/news/sparks-sign-kristine-anigwe-and-karlie-samuelson/ Sparks Sign Kristine Anigwe & Karlie Samuelson] where she made her first start in the league, but she was ultimately released in August,[https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sparks-terminate-hardship-contracts-of-bria-holmes-and-karlie-samuelson/n-5728536#:~:text=The%20Sparks%20also%20terminated%20the,games%20before%20the%20Olympic%20Break. Sparks Terminate Hardship Contracts of Bria Holmes and Karlie Samuelson] and again joined her sister on the Seattle Storm.[https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/its-definitely-crazy-sisters-katie-lou-and-karlie-samuelson-get-midseason-reunion-on-storm-roster/ ‘It’s definitely crazy’: Sisters Katie Lou and Karlie Samuelson get midseason reunion on Storm roster] In May 2022, the Phoenix Mercury signed Samuelson to a hardship contract.{{cite web |title=Phoenix Mercury |url=https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/1529599118749868034 |website=Twitter |access-date=25 May 2022}}

File:Karlie Samuelson 2023.jpg

Samuelson rejoined the Sparks for the 2023 WNBA season, having her most productive WNBA season yet, playing 34 games and ranking sixth among the league's 3-point shooters with an 42.6% average.[https://www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/article/mystics-address-3-point-shooting-by-signing-free-agent-karlie-samuelson Mystics address 3-point shooting by signing free agent Karlie Samuelson] Prior to the 2024 WNBA season, Samuelson signed with the Washington Mystics. It was her overall 18th WNBA contract, and the first that encompassed a whole season.[https://www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/article/with-roster-spot-secured-karlie-samuelson-has-a-new-mindset-with-mystics?refresh With spot on Mystics secured, Samuelson has new mindset] She played 29 regular season games, posting a career-high 8.4 points per game. Samuelson became ninth in the WNBA's all-time three-point percentage with 39.7%. On the day of the 2025 WNBA draft, the Minnesota Lynx acquired Samuelson, sending the Mystics their first-round pick at the 2026 WNBA draft.[https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-acquire-karlie-samuelson-from-washington-mystics Minnesota Lynx Acquire Karlie Samuelson From Washington Mystics] She was brought in by Eric Thibault, her coach at the Mystics who had just become an assistant manager in Minnesota.[https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/karlie-samuelson-thriving-with-minnesota-lynx/ Newcomer Karlie Samuelson thriving with the Minnesota Lynx this season]

Samuelson made her professional debut in Italy's Serie A1 with Pallacanestro Vigarano,{{Cite web|url=https://gostanford.com/news/2017/6/6/womens-basketball-play-on.aspx|title=Play On|website=Stanford University Athletics}} but left the team in January 2018, having played 13 games for Vigarano,{{Cite web|url=http://www.legabasketfemminile.it/PlayerDetails.aspx?PID=38209|title=Lega Basket Femminile|website=www.legabasketfemminile.it}} alleging personal reasons.{{Cite web|url=http://www.basketinside.com/siamo-donne/mercato-siamo-donne/a1-ufficiale-samuelson-lascia-vigarano/|title=A1 UFFICIALE - Samuelson lascia Vigarano|date=10 January 2018}}

Following the Sparks' elimination in the 2018 WNBA playoffs, Samuelson signed to play for BC Castors Braine in Belgium.{{Cite web|url=https://women.hoopsfix.com/brits-abroad/karlie-samuelson-signs-castors-braine-2018-19/|title = Karlie Samuelson Signs with Castors Braine for 2018-19|date = 9 May 2018}} She averaged 16 points per game on the season in the national league, and 9.7 per game in the Euroleague.

After she and Katie were waived by the Dallas Wings in 2019, the sisters both signed to play for CB Avenida in Spain,{{Cite web|url=https://saldeporte.com/2020/06/12/katie-lou-samuelson-sigue-el-camino-de-su-hermana-mayor-y-ficha-por-perfumerias-avenida/|title = Katie Lou Samuelson sigue el camino de su hermana mayor y ficha por Perfumerías Avenida}} with whom she won two Liga Femenina de Baloncesto championships. She left Spain in 2021 and signed with Australian team Townsville Fire in 2022.[https://wnbl.basketball/townsville/news/fire-sign-international-talent-samuelson/ FIRE SIGN INTERNATIONAL TALENT: KARLIE SAMUELSON]

Samuelson signed with the London Lions ahead of the 2023–24 season.[https://www.thelondonlions.com/news/karlie-samuelson-joins-lions-roster-for-23-24 Karlie Samuelson joins Lions roster for 23/24] She would be chosen as the 2023–24 EuroCup Women Player of the Month for February 2024 by leading the Lions in their quarterfinals victory over Melikgazi Kayseri scoring 44 points and shooting almost 63 percent in both games.[https://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/23-24/news/london-star-samuelson-seals-february-mvp-award London star Samuelson seals February MVP award] The Lions would then win over Beşiktaş JK,[https://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/23-24/news/chasing-perfection-will-london-complete-an-undefeated-season Chasing perfection: Will London complete an undefeated season?] in the final, where Samuelson was chosen as Finals MVP for averaging 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and an efficiency of 17.0 across both games of the decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/23-24/news/samuelson-collects-eurocup-women-finals-mvp-honor|title=Samuelson collects EuroCup Women Finals MVP honor|website=FIBA.basketball}}

She played for CBK Mersin of the Turkish Super League during the 2024–2025 season.{{Cite web |title=Karlie Samuelson joins Mersin |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Euroleague/news/884287/Karlie-Samuelson-joins-Mersin |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.eurobasket.com}} Samuelson and Mersin reached the 2024–25 EuroLeague Women final, lost to ZVVZ USK Praha.[https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/euroleague-women-24-25/news/final-six-2025-final-preview Preview: Who's leaving the Final Six as champions?]

Like her sister Bonnie, Samuelson chose to play internationally for the Great Britain women's national basketball team, using her mother's nationality. She debuted for the team in February 2018, playing two games in the EuroBasket Women 2019 qualification.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mvp247.com/2018/02/gbw-squad-samuelson/,%20http://www.mvp247.com/2018/02/gbw-squad-samuelson/|title=SAMUELSON ADDED TO GB MIX | MVP247.com - THE UK'S HOME OF BASKETBALL|date=February 1, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/article/why-mystics-karlie-samuelson-plays-on-the-british-national-team|title=Why Mystics' Karlie Samuelson plays on the British national team|publisher=Monumental Sports Network|author=Byrum ,Tyler |date=April 1, 2024 }} In November, Samuelson helped the British team win the final two games, granting them a spot in EuroBasket Women 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/46297494|title=GB women qualify for EuroBasket finals|work=BBC Sport}} During the European tournament, Samuelson averaged 11.1 points, 4.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds as the British team finished in fourth place.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/womenseurobasket/2019/player/Karlie-Samuelson|title=Karlie SAMUELSON at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019}} She also played the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, missing the Olympic qualifying spot while averaging 10.3 points, 4.3 assists and 2 rebounds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/oqtwomen/serbia/2020/player/Karlie-Samuelson|title = FIBA.basketball}}

{{WNBA player statistics legend}}

Stats current through end of 2024 season

{{WNBA player statistics start|caption=WNBA regular season statistics{{cite web |title=Karlie Samuelson WNBA Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/s/samueka01w.html |website=Basketball Reference}}}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018

| style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles

| 20 || 0 || 4.2 || .389 || .313 ||—|| 0.5 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 1.0

|-

| rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;"| 2019

| style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles

| 3 || 0 || 12.0 || .143 || .167 ||—|| 0.7 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| Dallas

| 4 || 0 || 12.0 || .286 || .333 ||—|| 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.8 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 1.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020

| colspan=13 style="text-align:center;"| Did not play (waived)

|-

| rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;"| 2021

| style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles

| 11 || 3 || 15.8 || .382 || .478 || .714 || 2.3 || 0.8 || 0.6 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 3.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| Seattle

| 3 || 0 || 10.7 || .300 || .125 || 1.000 || 0.3 || 0.7 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.0 || 3.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022

| style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix

| 1 || 0 || 10.0 || .333 || .333 ||—|| 3.0 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.0 || 3.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023

| style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles

| 34 || 23 || 26.1 || .463 || .426 || .941 || 3.0 || 2.0 || 0.6 || 0.1 || 0.9 || 7.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{wnbay|2024}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Washington

| 29 || 19 || 24.5 || .409 || .398 || .923 || 2.6 || 2.1 || 0.9 || 0.0 || 0.9 || 8.4

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:left;"| Career

| style="text-align:left;"| 6 years, 5 teams

| 105 || 45 || 18.9 || .419 || .397 || .919 || 2.1 || 1.5 || 0.6 || 0.1 || 0.6 || 5.6

{{S-end}}

{{WNBA player statistics start|caption=WNBA playoff statistics}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018

| style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles

| 1 || 0 || 3.0 ||—||—||—|| 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:left;"| Career

| style="text-align:left;"| 1 year, 1 team

| 1 || 0 || 3.0 ||—||—||—|| 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

{{S-end}}

{{WNBA player statistics start|caption=NCAA statistics{{Cite web|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/careerplayer|title=NCAA Statistics|website=web1.ncaa.org|access-date=2021-05-25}}}}

|-

| width="10%" style="text-align:center;"| 2013–14

| style="text-align:left;" | Stanford

|32||2||15.5||.404||.348||.907||1.2||1.3||0.4||0.1||0.7||5.1

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | 2014–15

| style="text-align:left;" | Stanford

|29||16||23.0||.430||.398||.483||2.4||1.0||0.5||0.1||1.1||6.4

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | 2015–16

| style="text-align:left;" | Stanford

|35||35||30.4||.455||.473||.909||3.4||2.2||1.1||0.2||1.1||9.8

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | 2016–17

| style="text-align:left;" | Stanford

|38||35||33.5||.482||.485||.864||3.4||2.7||1.1||0.2||1.4||12.4

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2 | Career

|134||88||26.1||.454||.443||.833||2.7||1.9||0.8||0.2||1.1||8.7

{{S-end}}

{{reflist}}

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{{Minnesota Lynx current roster}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuelson, Karlie}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:British women's basketball players

Category:American women's basketball players

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Belgium

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy

Category:American expatriate basketball people in the United Kingdom

Category:American people of English descent

Category:Dallas Wings players

Category:Los Angeles Sparks players

Category:Sportspeople from Fullerton, California

Category:Seattle Storm players

Category:Stanford Cardinal women's basketball players

Category:Shooting guards

Category:Edison High School (Huntington Beach, California) alumni

Category:Basketball players from Huntington Beach, California

Category:Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California) alumni

Category:Phoenix Mercury players

Category:Naturalised basketball players

Category:Washington Mystics players

Category:21st-century American sportswomen

Category:Minnesota Lynx players

Category:Undrafted Women's National Basketball Association players