Former Harvard Women’s Basketball Star McKenzie Forbes Selected in WNBA Draft

Former Harvard women’s basketball star McKenzie Forbes ’23 has been making headlines once again, this time as she was selected in the third round of the WNBA draft on Tuesday night. Forbes, who played two seasons for the Crimson before finishing her collegiate career at USC, now joins an elite group of Harvard players who have been drafted into the professional league.

During her time at Harvard, Forbes proved herself to be a high-volume scoring machine, averaging 13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Her standout performance came during her senior season in 2023 when she led the team as captain and made a name for herself with a 27-point game against Columbia, including five three-pointers in overtime.

Forbes’ journey to the WNBA was anything but ordinary, as she transferred from the University of California Berkeley to Harvard and then sat out two seasons due to eligibility constraints and the pandemic. However, she quickly found her place in Cambridge and became an essential part of Harvard’s success.

In her one year at USC, Forbes continued to shine, averaging 14.3 points per game and helping the Trojans win the Pac-12 Championship. Now, Forbes will stay in southern California as she joins the Sparks and looks to make an impact on a team that is hungry for a playoff berth.

With a family history steeped in basketball, including a brother who played for Harvard and a grandfather who was drafted by the Lakers, Forbes has the talent and drive to succeed at the professional level. Fans can expect to see her bring her scoring prowess and leadership skills to the court as she embarks on this new chapter in her basketball career.