Grace Sullivan took the torch passed down by former Northwestern frontcourt members Caileigh Walsh and Taylor Williams and stood out as a silver-lining pillar in her senior year.
Last season, Sullivan reached her peak while starting 28 games, averaging 21.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. Her scoring ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. Despite another disappointing season record-wise, which concluded with former head coach Joe McKeown stepping down, Sullivan left her “Amazing Grace” mark with a career-best year before graduation. Sullivan’s NU story includes seeking out high-major competition and transforming into one of the conference’s elites, something Wildcat Nation will remember for years.
Here’s my review of Sullivan’s senior season.
The Good
All season long, Sullivan provided reliable efficiency to an otherwise up-and-down Northwestern team. She became a consistent threat to opponents due to her dominance in the post. This dominance wasn’t because her physicality broke down defenses in the paint; rather, it was her incredible shot-making and finesse. Mostly, she executed what she was confident in —midrange fadeaways.
Thanks to her high release point, Sullivan became virtually unguardable in making midrange shots unless facing double teams. Per CBB Analytics, Sullivan posted 20.6 two-point shots per 40 minutes with a field goal percentage of 53.0%. She was also a Big Ten frontrunner with a 31.3% usage rate versus a 56.1% true shooting percentage. Sullivan led the team in free-throw attempts with 487 and shot 77.6% from the charity stripe.
Beyond her scoring dominance, Sullivan’s defense deserves credit. At 6-foot-4, Sullivan often paired with 6-foot-4 Tayla Thomas to anchor both ends of the paint. Sullivan contributed a career-high 0.8 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Her ability to run the floor both ways allowed her to take advantage of fastbreak opportunities and turn opponent turnovers into layups.
Sullivan’s relentless motor kept Northwestern competitive in games where the talent gap appeared insurmountable. She consistently showed a willingness to battle on the glass, averaging 6.1 rebounds despite facing taller, more physical opponents. Meanwhile, she provided consistent production night after night, reaching double-digit scoring in every game in which she played at least ten minutes.
The Bad
Though her midrange game was a piece of art, Sullivan’s offensive bag wasn’t big enough to overcome top-knotch defenses.
Her struggles became evident in battles against ranked opponents, when her weakness in creating space was exposed. Under intense pressure from elite athletes and with teammates unable to provide reliable offensive support, Sullivan struggled.
This was also due to her lack of a three-point shot. Sullivan didn’t make a single three-pointer last season and was confined to the often chaotic painted area. Opposing defenses packed the paint and sent aggressive double teams without worrying about kick-out opportunities. Sullivan was frequently forced into tough, contested long-twos or turnovers when help arrived.
Furthermore, high-pressure defense led to ball-handling issues. Sullivan averaged 2.4 turnovers per game, often struggling to coordinate with teammates in various offensive sets — a glimpse of the Wildcats’ overall stagnant offense. Many times in the biggest moments, Sullivan forced shots rather than trusting teammates, leading to empty possessions that doomed Northwestern in close games.
Legacy
Sullivan leaves Northwestern having accomplished something remarkable, transforming from a “blank sheet of paper” at Bucknell into one of the Big Ten’s most prolific scorers. Her journey from mid-major role player to high-major star exemplifies patient development and a relentless work ethic, proving that elite players aren’t always born through early specialization. The WNBA’s Dallas Wings invited Sullivan to training camp, although she was cut before the 2026 season. Nonetheless, Sullivan will always be a Wildcat legend.
