Women’s Basketball Adds McKinley Kruger for 2025-26

OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women’s basketball program is pleased to announce the signing of McKinley Kruger for the 2025-26 season. She is from Silver Lake, Kan. and is a transfer from Washburn University where she was a member of the Ichabods softball team. Kruger attended Silver Lake High School.

As a member of the Washburn University softball team, Kruger appeared in nine games. She hit .500, scored two runs, had a .500 slugging percentage, and tallied one assist.

Kruger lettered in basketball, volleyball, softball, and golf at Silver Lake High School. She was a member of the Student Council and the National Honor Society. In 2024, she helped the Eagles to a Kansas Girls Basketball 3A State Championship with a record of 26-0 and a second place finish at the Kansas Softball 3A State Tournament. Kruger helped SLHS to a finish fourth at the 2023 Kansas Girls Basketball 3A Tournament and a third place finish at the 2022 Kansas Girls Basketball 3A Tournament. She led the softball team to a second place finish at the 2021 Kansas Softball 3A State Tournament.

Kruger played the 2024 KBCA All-Star Game and the NEK All-Star Game. She averaged 15.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Kruger is fourth on the SLHS all-time scoring list (1,272 points) and shot 50 percent from behind the 3-pt line, making 80 3-pt field goals her senior season.

“We are so excited that McKinley is joining our program,” said OU head women’s basketball coach Hunter Bondurant. “Her high school accolades speak for themselves having helped Silver Lake win a state championship and being selected to the all-state team multiple times. She brings a year of college athletic experience with her which will help our program both on and off the court!”

Kruger is the daughter of Teuka and Shannon Kruger and plans to major in biology. She played travel ball for Southwest Elite under coach Dylan Evans.