The State News, Welcome Week Edition 2025

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

2025–26: My priority is to expand what student journalism can be

By Satvik Shubham sshubham@statenews.com

I have spent my life moving across borders. What stayed constant was my need to understand the world around me. I have lived in eight countries, and each one taught me how to listen before I speak and how to ask better questions when the answers are unclear. That mindset brought me to journalism. That purpose brought me to The State News. And now, it brings me to you.

I am proud to serve as Editor-inChief of The State News for the 2025–26 academic year. But I also understand the weight of that responsibility. We are beginning this year in a moment of deep uncertainty and tension. On campus, across the country and throughout higher education, public trust is harder to earn. Facts are easier to distort. Students are asked to form opinions faster than ever, often without being given the full picture. In times like these, journalism cannot afford to stay on the sidelines.

Our newsroom is not here to echo what others say. We are here to dig deeper, to ask why, and to represent a campus that deserves honesty, complexity and care.

Last year, our reporters proved exactly what student journalism can achieve when it holds power accountable. Senior reporters Alex Walters, Owen McCarthy and Theo Scheer were named the 2024 Student Journalism Winner by the Education Writers Association for

their investigation ‘Inside the Nassar documents’. The same project earned frst-place honors in a regional Society of Professional Journalists competition and in the Associated Collegiate Press Clips and Clicks contest.

Their work was not just exceptional. It was essential.

We carry that legacy forward this year, with a commitment to covering this campus with urgency, empathy and depth. We will be there when students raise their voices. We will ask questions when institutions fall silent. And we will refect what life at Michigan State really feels like, from classrooms and cafeterias to stadiums, protests and everything in between.

This year will be different, and it will be better. The State News is not just a print newspaper. We are a digital newsroom, a photo and video team, a podcast team, a social media presence, and most importantly, an uncensored voice.

We will use every platform to tell stories that move, explain and inspire. Whether it is through breaking news alerts, in-depth explainers, visual storytelling or frst-person audio, we are committed to meeting readers wherever they are.

We are also creating more space for you. Our newsroom will not only report on students but listen to them. Whether it is through letters to the editor, guest articles, source calls or interviews, students across campus will have a voice

in our pages. And just as we spotlight the views of the community, we will also empower our reporters to share their own insights. When done ethically and transparently, personal perspective is not a confict. It is a contribution to deeper understanding.

At every level, we will prioritize excellence. Our standards will not be lowered for convenience or speed. From the first draft to the final headline, truth will be at the center of our work. Whether it is breaking news, in-depth features or sports coverage, we will hold ourselves to the highest expectations because that is what this community deserves.

We are not just observers. We are students too. We walk the same sidewalks. We wait in the same lines. We feel the same exhaustion, the same fears and the same sense that the future is coming fast.

So here is my promise. We will be relentless in our reporting and thoughtful in our decisions. We will take risks when the story demands it. And we will never stop asking what this campus needs from us.

Here is my ask in return. Read our work. Share your stories. Push us to grow. And if you have ever felt like your voice does not belong in a newspaper, I want you to know that it does.

We are not here to follow the story. We are here to lead it. And we are just getting started.

MSU BASEBALL’S JT SOKOLOVE EMBARKS ON JOURNEY TOWARD BANANA BALL

By Lucas Gentilia lgentilia@statenews.com

JT Sokolove, MSU baseball’s center felder, fnished his fnal season of collegiate ball this spring, and this summer, his road to the show is taking a turn with a chance at making a Banana Ball roster.

Since the league’s conception in 2020, Banana Ball has been a social media wonder and family favorite. With four teams and two more on the way, the Savana Bananas and Banana Ball have been a perplexing reinvention of the game for baseball loyalists and an energetic hit with all generations.

Sokolove posted his frst audition tape on Instagram in late May, featuring his charismatic personality, trick plays and in-game highlights. From there, he’s amassed 25,000 followers on TikTok.

His witty charm got its start 82 miles west of MSU at Hudsonville High School, where Sokolove ran his football team’s TikTok account and accumulated upwards of 15,000 followers.

“I love to entertain, and obviously, I love baseball,” Sokolove said. “I was like, this is literally perfect.”

A four-year letter winner and All-State Honoree in football and baseball, Sokolove had what it took to fnd a roster on a Division 1 team at Illinois State. The 5-foot10 speedster was 34 for 36 on stolen bases in three years with the

Redbirds, and took a hiatus from social media to focus on his play. But after transferring to East Lansing, he felt as though there were too many opportunities not to pick it back up.

“I always love the content side of stuff—the Banana Ball stuff that was being posted—but I didn’t really know what that would look like,”

Sokolove said. “So as the season kept progressing, [my teammates] came to me saying I had to try out, so I decided I’d give it a shot.”

As a part of his training this summer, he’s been working out— adding 20 pounds to his frame, practicing new trick plays and posting daily videos on TikTok, all while making time for trips with friends and time with family.

Through the long, hot days of summer, gymnastics turned out to be a much bigger part of his training than he’d anticipated.

When watching a Banana Ball game, players pull off incredible plays that no one in a “normal” game would even fathom. For outfelders like Sokolove, backfip catches have become commonplace in the league, adding entertainment value but no real game advantage. Sokolove began to put his own spin on the play with a “full catch.”

In gymnastics, a full twist is when a gymnast completes a somersault and spins their body around one turn at the same time. Incorporating the move while trying to catch a fy

ball is no easy task, and Sokolove says he’s earned an all-new respect for gymnasts.

“My respect for gymnastics is on another level,” Sokolove said. “I knew it was crazy to do this stuff, but when you try and do it yourself, my respect for gymnastics goes through the roof.”

Sokolove says that once he accomplishes the full catch, it will be his favorite play. “It’ll be the hardest trick play, but it’ll be the one that’s my favorite for sure,” he said.

JT Sokolove transferred to East Lansing for his senior year, slashing .224/.360/.288 with captivating defense in center feld. His marquee moment in green and white came against Ohio State with an 11th-inning walk-off home run to right feld. Drenched in Gatorade, Sokolove said it was an excellent moment.

“It was great,” Sokolove said. “Going into that at-bat, I was getting kind of frustrated to be honest with just how the day had gone, but just reminding myself, just give my stats, give it all to God, and he’ll take care, I think that was all him right there.”

Growing up, Christianity was never a pillar of his life, but that changed during his freshman year at Illinois State. Finding identity outside of himself was what gave him the push, he said. His faith allowed him to make choices freely and grow his confdence on the

diamond. Sokolove said that all good things in his life have come from God.

“I can have so much, I can live so much more freely and have so much more confdence knowing that I’m not looking for the approval of others,” Sokolove said. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to be a bad person, but I’m not looking for the approval of others. I just want to chase after Jesus and be as close to Jesus as I can be.”

Now, Sokolove has formed friendships at the intersection of Banana Ball and religion. Shortly after he committed to a pursuit of Banana Ball, his friend Carson Fisher from Miami University connected him with Clark Gilmore, a relief pitcher from Notre Dame. The two hit it off immediately, hosting TikTok live streams together to grow their following, both with hopes of joining a Banana Ball roster.

From there, Sokolove met other banana hopefuls in Texas State’s Cam Thompson and former Milwaukee Brewers’ Double-A pitcher Braden Webb, all devout Christians who have become some of Sokolove’s closest friends.

“Meeting them has been unbelievable,” Sokolove said. “I literally get to talk to my best friends from Illinois State every single day, and then I get to talk to (my new friends) at night. It feels like 24/7 with the boys.”

It didn’t take long for the fve to start a bible study in their nightly live streams. According to Sokolove, within 24 hours, the group planned a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to create content. Sokolove says being able to share a bond in their religion and common interests has been incredible.

“They’re all some of the most fun guys I’ve ever met because they’re all doing the same thing I’m doing,” Sokolove said. “They’re interested in and love making content. They love baseball and they love Jesus. We have so much in common with one another.”

When he began his training in May, the goal was to get recognized by someone in the league—that happened much faster than he thought it would. After cold-messaging the Banana Ball recruiting director, he soon got a call telling him he’d get a tryout. Sokolove said he was pacing around the gym during a workout when he got the call he’d been waiting months for.

“I’ve never had a phone call and notes on my phone going so fast at the same time,” Sokolove said. “I wrote down every single word that came out of his mouth to me for advice and where I stood.”

Sokolove is now set for a tryout in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 16, where he’ll showcase himself for the six Banana Ball teams.

Welcome week at MSU: Here’s what to know

By Satvik Shubham sshubham@statenews.com

The frst day of classes may signal the end of move-in week, but Fall Welcome at Michigan State University continues with a full lineup of events designed to keep the energy high and help Spartans fnd their place. From music and food to career resources and athletic matchups, welcome week offers something for everyone.

SUNDAY: SPARTICIPATION AND SPARTAN SPECTACULAR

Fall Welcome hits its peak on Sunday, Aug. 24. Transfer students are invited to the Union Ballroom for a Welcome and Resource Fair from 12:30 to 3 p.m., while frst-year commuters can attend a session at 2 p.m. in Business College Room N130. Students living on even-numbered residence hall foors will have their required foor meeting at 2:30 p.m.

The day ends with one of the biggest events of the week: the Fall Welcome Spartan Spectacular. Running from 4 to 8 p.m. at IM East Field, the celebration includes Sparticipation, featuring more than 500 student organizations, a culinary food fair and the Spartan Sessions concert kickoff. If it rains, all events will move inside the Breslin Center.

MONDAY: FIRST DAY OF CLASS AND FIRST CRAFT NIGHT

As classes begin on Monday, Aug. 25, students can still take advantage of several ongoing welcome activities. The College Poster Sale runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. inside the MSU Union Main Lounge, and the Army ROTC Open House is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Demonstration Hall. In the evening, “Tie Dye Under the Sky” offers students a chance to de-stress and get creative starting at 5 p.m. on the MSU

Union East Lawn. The frst 500 students receive a free T-shirt, but you can also bring your own item to dye.

TUESDAY: GET INVOLVED WITH UAB

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the poster sale and ROTC open house continue, but the highlight of the day is the frst UAB Member Meeting. From 5 to 6 p.m., students can head to the third foor of the Union to learn how to help plan the 130-plus events UAB hosts each year.

If you are looking for leadership experience, a new community or just a fun way to give back to campus life, this is a good place to start.

WEDNESDAY: WALK AND LEARN IN THE GARDEN

Beal Botanical Garden offers a Footprints Walking Tour from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Students can join the guided tour to explore MSU’s work in conservation, ecology and sustainability. The tour is free and begins at the Beal Garden pond, though advance registration is encouraged.

THURSDAY: ARTS AND ATHLETICS

TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT

Thursday, Aug. 28, is full of evening events. The Arts Living-Learning Community will host a welcome party and exhibition reception from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at (Scene) Metrospace in downtown East Lansing. There will be food, games, live music and opportunities to meet other artists and creatives.

Later that night, MSU women’s soccer hosts Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. in DeMartin Stadium. Admission is free for students with an MSU ID.

FRIDAY: CAREER PREP AND GAME DAY ENERGY

Friday, Aug. 29, is Spartan Spirit Gear Day, so wear green and white across campus. From 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., students can explore Thrift at Surplus and Upcycle Friday at the Surplus Store and Recycling Center. At the Student Services Building, the Career Services Network will host the Fall Career Kickstart from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with resume help, LinkedIn photo booths and free professional clothing rentals.

The week ends with a bang as MSU football kicks off its season against Western Michigan at 7 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.

THE WEEKEND: VOLLEYBALL AND MORE

The momentum carries into the weekend with MSU volleyball taking on Merrimack at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Chicago State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31. Both games are held at the Breslin Center and are free with a student ID.

On Monday, Sept. 1, the men’s soccer team hosts Detroit Mercy at 2 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium to close out the extended Welcome Week.

FINDING YOUR PLACE STARTS HERE

Whether you are new to East Lansing or returning for another year, the end of Fall Welcome is your chance to branch out, fnd your people, and experience what it means to be a Spartan. From concerts and crafts to games and guided tours, the opportunities are still wide open.

For the full schedule and any weatherrelated updates, visit fallwelcome.msu.edu.

COLUMN: A look back at my time at MSU

By Saanvi Seth sseth@statenews.com

“Hi, my name is Saanvi, I’m from Memphis, Tennessee and I’m planning on majoring in journalism!”

That was my introduction when I toured Michigan State in 2022. Now, after three years in East Akers and double-majoring in political science and sociology, I’m about to graduate. I heard people say that high school is the best four years of your life, but honestly, college provided that feeling for me. Despite the challenges I faced, including the search to fnd roommates as an out-of-state student the summer before freshman year, I’ve loved every minute of it.

My time at Michigan State has not been easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for another chance. The fact that it’s coming to an end is surreal, but I’m glad that I’m leaving with no regrets. I don’t regret changing my mind (again) about what I wanted to major in. I also don’t regret taking an 8:00 a.m. biology lab my frst semester here. If you ask me, everything really does happen for a reason.

“COLLEGE IS WHERE YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF.”

I heard this a lot during my senior year of high school. I usually laughed it off, but part of me hoped it was true.

Before settling on pre-law, I probably changed

my major 50 times. I wanted to be a software engineer, then an architect. But throughout high school, I always came back to sports journalism—a dream rooted in my love for writing and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When I began searching for colleges, still hesitant about my major, one thing was for sure: I wanted to leave Tennessee. I heard MSU had a good journalism program, so on the list it went.

I toured Michigan State later that year, and immediately knew that I wanted to attend. I fell in love with how big the campus was, and thought, yeah, if I don’t get lost walking to class, I might actually fnd myself here.

When it came time to apply, I chose political science pre-law. Finding the right school helped me fgure out what I really wanted to do.

That’s how I ended up on the fourth foor of East Akers in fall 2023 with 18 credits and a gothic literature class on my schedule.

“A

WHOLE NEW WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU.”

That’s what people told me when I said I was heading to MSU. With more than 50,000 students and 5,200 acres of campus, I hoped they were right.

I began my freshman year not knowing much, obviously. I had all the brochures with guidance on what to do, and even went to Sparticpation where loads of clubs and organizations awaited.

As classes began, I tried to fnd my footing as a student living 11 hours from home. CATA buses

became the bane of my existence, Google Maps rerouted constantly and some of my classrooms didn’t even have working air conditioning.

As the months passed, I learned something new each day. I joined Empowering Women in Law, and the once-confusing routes to class became routine.

Sophomore year came quicker than I realized, and even though it was my second year on campus, there were still a lot of unknowns. This year I wanted to fnd more ways to get involved and explore campus even more—now that I knew I wouldn’t get lost.

My second year brought me to The State News offce, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I also joined Future Leaders in Sports and Entertainment, combining my law school ambitions with my love of sports.

The year few by, maybe even faster than freshman year. It brought tougher classes, long study nights and some professor experiences I’d rather not relive, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

“IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.”

Sometimes it actually feels like I blinked once two years ago, and now I’m in my last year at MSU. The situations that seemed so worrisome on a random Wednesday afternoon fve months ago appear minuscule now.

Time is something I’ve always tried to value and use wisely. But when everything starts happening at once, it can feel like there’s never enough of it.

Whether it was squeezing in meals between classes or trying to get to the gym after a packed day of Google Calendar tasks, I often felt like I couldn’t do everything I wanted to. After semesters of experiencing busy days and packed schedules, the thing that helped me the most is slowing down and appreciating every day. That would be my best piece of advice. Taking my time every day helped me enjoy campus more. Trust me, the buildings on campus aren’t running away from you, they’ve been there a while, you can get to it tomorrow.

“EVERYTHING

HAPPENS FOR A REASON.”

I used to think this was just an overused, inspirational quote that people tagged on to the end of any situation. But now, based on my time so far at Michigan State, I truly believe every word.

There’s a reason the 31 bus drove off just as I reached the stop. There’s a reason I slipped in the snow three times. Honestly, there’s a reason for everything.

Looking back, those frst few weeks were rough. When I arrived on campus, I had no clue what I was doing. Now, I can walk any sidewalk without thinking and name most of the buildings I once couldn’t pronounce on my tour.

Despite the craziness East Lansing has brought me, I’m glad 17-year-old me decided it was the right choice.

MSU student works behind the scenes on new ‘Superman’ film

By Amelia Fraser afraser@statenews.com

On the set of James Gunn’s “Superman” last summer, there was a familiar sight for those from East Lansing. Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No, it was digital storytelling senior Colton Bennett.

Getting involved on a multi-million-dollar project isn’t always an opportunity presented to a college student, nor is getting a job at their dream company.

When seeking out the opportunity, Bennett didn’t take the traditional application route by doing the typical 10-step application process.

“I got involved through, basically, a convoluted process of fnding a contact that worked on the movie and sending them a resume and just

crossing my fngers,” Bennett said. “Someone took a chance on me.”

After getting the job, Bennett moved down to Cleveland, Ohio for his role as a production assistant for DC Studios/Warner Bros Discovery in the summer of 2024. His next few months were full of the seemingly menial tasks of a production assistant.

“I drove around town running errands and, you know, picking up gaff tape and unlocking a warehouse, setting up cameras. Just, you know, small tasks here and there but I mean that’s what production assistants are there for,” Bennett said.

“The project kinda falls apart without them.”

Digital storytelling junior Aiden Myerson, a friend of Bennett’s, received updates from Bennett while on set, or at least as much as the NDA Bennett signed would allow.

“It was fun seeing him in the credits,” Myerson said. “It kind of shows a lot of us within this major that that’s accomplishable.”

Bennett credits his motivation to pursue the opportunity to professor of practice Amol Pavangadkar. Bennett had Pavangadkar for Filmmaking I: Foundations of Filmmaking, where he learned how to enter the industry. In class, Pavangadkar provided Bennett with advice that helped push Bennett to reach out.

“We talk about the process, we talk about the job market, we talk about different avenues

students can take with learning those basic skills,” Pavangadkar said.

Pavangadkar often helps his students with fnding job opportunities as he believes that only so much can be taught in the classroom.

“He (Bennett) was very inquisitive, he had a lot of good follow-up questions,” Pavangadkar said. “More importantly, he wanted to understand the history to some of these projects. And that’s the sign of somebody who really wants to succeed in this line of work.”

Bennett’s ultimate dream is to be able to write and sell screenplays or direct one day. Getting on set was his frst step.

“It is not something they can teach you in classes,” Bennett said. “They tell you how to behave on set and how to do this and how to do that and you get on set and it’s just completely different.”

Now, with some experience under his belt and “Superman” at the top of his resume, Bennett has completed another job working on Apple TV project Parallax. Bennett’s one gripe? Having to leave Michigan again.

Bennett was born and raised in Lansing and has continued living there through his time at Michigan State University. He remembers back in 2015 when Michigan lost its flm tax incentive, which offered production companies rebates on production costs for flming in the state.

One of the last movies flmed in Michigan back when the state still offered the flm tax incentive was “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” in 2014, Bennett said. Scenes of Lex Luthor’s mansion were shot at the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum.

“I’ve heard tales that a lot of flm students at the time worked on the movie as production assistants,” Bennett added.

So, even if Bennett wanted to remain in Michigan, the opportunities are far lower than in established flm hubs where flm tax incentives still exist. Cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York City are popular locations, but even they have begun to face their struggles.

“After the California fres … a lot of production got displaced,” Pavangadkar explained. “In addition to that, there were multiple strikes by the production unions and a lot of studios moved production out of the U.S.”

Regardless, Bennett’s dedication to flmmaking far surpasses a potential location change. He remains committed to his dream and anywhere it will take him, even when it may be frustrating.

“The beauty and the awful part of this job... getting into filmmaking—it is not stable,” Bennett said. “I’ve made peace with it in my head. Now I just have to make peace with it in my bank account.”

MSU PAUSES MENTAL HEALTH CHANGES AFTER STUDENT PUSHBACK

By Somer Sodeman ssodeman@statenews.com

Just days after news spread that Michigan State University laid off

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) director Swapna Hingwe and other psychiatric staff, more than 1,500 students, alumni, faculty and community members signed a petition

calling for her reinstatement.

The layoffs were part of a University Health and Wellbeing (UHW) plan to shift psychiatric services from CAPS to MSU Health Care, in what university spokesperson Amber McCann called an effort to “achieve effciency and optimize patient care.”

UHW has now paused the transition to allow input from MSU’s new provost and vice president for student affairs, both of whom began this month.

“This pause will afford UHW the opportunity to receive additional input from campus leaders,” McCann said.

CAPS will continue offering counseling and psychiatric services at the start of the academic year, with no changes to access, staffng or subsidized visits.

Courtney Placinta, communications director for UHW, said the proposal followed months of analysis, including utilization reviews, peer comparisons and third-party evaluations. She said it was also shaped by a university directive to reduce spending by 9%, mostly from salaries.

Because services were set to shift out of UHW, affected staff received layoff notices with a 90-day transition timeline. MSU Health Care, which

already acts as a backup for CAPS and received about 50 referrals last year, was slated to take over.

Placinta said only the psychiatric transition is on pause. Physical therapy services will still shift to MSU Health Care. Layoff notices for psychiatric staff have been rescinded. She did not say whether the petition infuenced the change.

“The decision to pause … was driven by two new leaders joining the university,” Placinta said.

Provost Laura Lee McIntyre said her focus is understanding student needs while ensuring “continuity of care with as little disruption as possible.” She and Vice President James Hintz plan to assess options in the coming months and communicate decisions with affected groups and the wider campus.

While administrators framed the pause as a leadership opportunity, many community members said the petition refects CAPS’ central role in student wellbeing.

Alum Belle Howe said CAPS was a safe space during a period of panic attacks, stress and personal challenges. After two appointments, CAPS connected them with a longterm therapist — care that helped

them navigate the aftermath of the February 2023 shooting.

“Having access to that resource after something so terrifying happens is non-negotiable,” Howe said.

Howe also said the sudden layoffs eroded their trust in MSU. “It was really disheartening, especially as a recent graduate,” they said.

MSU professor Mark Axelrod also signed the petition, noting Hingwe’s impact on student awareness and access to mental health services.

He also praised CAPS’ group programming, including support forums after the Feb. 13 shooting and ahead of last year’s election, calling it “an important opportunity” for students to communicate across differences.

“Student success is essential to having a functioning university,” Axelrod said. “Supporting CAPS is part of that.”

Hingwe declined an interview, citing UHW policy, but in a brief statement said her focus has always been supporting student mental health “with compassion and care.” She acknowledged the support, noting “it speaks for itself.”

From gold medal to green and white: Veteran VanSlooten ready to lead Spartans

By Madilynn Warden mwarden@statenews.com

Team USA improved to a 42-9 alltime record at the FIBA AmeriCup, charging through the tournament in Santiago, Chile, and defeating Brazil 92-84 to clinch gold and a spot at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany.

Gold medals are never easy to earn, but for MSU senior forward Grace VanSlooten, her third in four years signals continued growth on a path that appears destined for the professional level.

VanSlooten earned her third gold medal while competing alongside two other Big Ten standouts, helping cement their place in AmeriCup history.

After playing with Team USA on three different occasions, winning gold during all of the latter, VanSlooten said that this one ranks high on the list of important moments in her basketball journey. The reason behind her third gold medal experience being high on the list of important moments in her basketball journey had a lot to do with the competition that was endured.

“I think a lot of our group play wasn’t necessarily the most competitive, but you know, when we played Canada and Brazil, those games are big time games,” VanSlooten said. “You’re playing basically professionals and we were a bunch of college kids and I think that really stood out to me. Every other time I’ve been with them we’ve been playing people our age and to go in there and play some pros and have that physicality and competitiveness, it was a lot of fun.”

“Anytime you go play for USA Basketball it’s a great experience so, you know, never take it for granted and always remember those trips,” VanSlooten said. “Meeting all these different people from different colleges and spending time with them and getting to know them… It’s kind of cool to get to play with all different types of people.”

VanSlooten played alongside athletes from other conferences — including some she’s faced in the Big Ten — while stepping into new roles to help the team succeed.

With just a few days to prepare, learning more about her fellow teammates and building chemistry in the days prior to the tournament was the most important thing to do. She said they had to give it 100 percent every minute of every day and “make the most out of practice days.”

In the final, VanSlooten faced Brazil’s Kamilla Cardoso, a 6-foot6 center and star of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. She said facing pros like Cardoso introduced a different level of physicality compared to what she sees in the Big Ten.

“Basketball was huge, especially playing against those older players like Cardoso and all of those Europeans and South American people, they play a different type of basketball, that’s just how FIBA is, it’s really physical,” VanSlooten said.

In her frst season with MSU after transferring from Oregon, VanSlooten made an instant impact. She earned Second Team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honors, played in 31 games, and posted fve doubledoubles. She led the team in scoring with 15.5 points per game and totaled a career-high 480 points during her junior year.

VanSlooten said the AmeriCup experience helped her grow — especially as she embraced a defned role during trials and training camp.

“I think knowing your role and knowing that every role matters, you don’t need to go out there and score 20 points if that’s not your role. You can still really impact winning and everything like that,” VanSlooten said.

As a bench player, VanSlooten leaned into physicality and vocal leadership. She said those experiences — along with her growth during junior year — will help her guide younger teammates this season.

She hopes the momentum from the AmeriCup carries into MSU’s upcoming season and helps push the team further.

“I think it definitely gives some momentum, a little bit of confdence hopefully,” VanSlooten said. “Just kind of going to bring back that experience to everybody and hopefully take this year and really make it worthwhile and become a leader.”

With a third gold medal now in hand and valuable experience against professional-level talent, VanSlooten returns to East Lansing more confdent, more vocal and more determined to lead. As she steps into her senior year, her journey with Team USA has not only elevated her game, but given her the perspective to help guide the Spartans toward bigger goals. For VanSlooten, the next chapter isn’t just about personal accolades — it’s about lifting those around her and pushing MSU women’s basketball to new heights.