How freshman Madison Booker maintained the trajectory of No. 12 Texas following Rori Harmon’s injury.

Madison Booker’s initiation into basketball began with a plastic hoop, a gift from her father, Carlos. The initial childhood tosses eventually evolved into more competitive one-on-one battles on a larger outdoor goal. Standing at 6-foot-10, Carlos, a former center at Southern Miss, easily dominated his daughter with towering height. When Madison contested that blocking her shots was unfair, her father imparted a valuable life lesson – the game isn’t fair; you simply need to persevere.

According to Booker, this lesson has been instrumental in shaping her resilience on the court. This resilience was put to the test in December when the Longhorns, boasting an undefeated record of 13-0 and a fifth-place national ranking, faced a setback. Junior point guard Rori Harmon, an All-American honorable mention and a strong candidate for Player of the Year, suffered a torn ACL in practice. One week before a crucial Big 12 opener against undefeated Baylor, Booker, already a freshman of the year contender at small forward, was thrust into the starting point guard position.

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Since this unexpected transition, the Longhorns (19-3, 6-3 Big 12) have experienced only three losses, each by a combined 13 points. Booker, recognized as a Wooden Award Top 20 finalist for the nation’s best player, has not merely weathered the storm but has emerged as a key player for the team.

Texas head coach Vic Schaefer commended Booker’s performance, emphasizing her ability to flourish and expand her game with the added responsibility. Despite the challenging circumstances, there was no doubt in Schaefer’s mind that Booker was the right choice to fill the void left by Harmon.

Currently facing tough opponents like No. 13 Baylor and No. 2 Kansas State, the No. 12 Texas team (16-3, 5-3) is navigating a critical stretch in their season. The outcome of these games will significantly impact their prospects for Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, as well as their seeding in the NCAA tournament. Booker, although dealing with a lingering hamstring injury that sidelined her in a recent victory against Cincinnati, is expected to play a pivotal role in these crucial matchups.

Madison Booker had limited experience running the offense before stepping into the point guard role for the Texas Longhorns. Coach Vic Schaefer had observed her playing in AAU and at Germantown High School in Mississippi, but Booker is cautious about relying too heavily on that experience, considering high school basketball’s more flexible dynamics.

The most significant preparation for Booker came during the preseason when she took on increased responsibilities while Rori Harmon was rehabbing an ankle injury. During this time, she faced a considerable learning curve, hitting a metaphorical “wall” as she grappled with the overwhelming nature of the position. Booker expressed feeling rushed, making mistakes, and struggling to manage the pace of the game.

Starting her college career as a small forward, Booker averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the first 13 games. Her breakout performance came against UConn, scoring 20 points in her natural position. However, her versatility became apparent as she excelled at the point guard position, dropping 25 points against Baylor and 29 against Oklahoma in subsequent games.

Booker admitted to not expecting to perform so well as a point guard, acknowledging the stark differences in perspective between running the team and scoring on the wing. Despite the initial challenges, she has embraced the role and gained a new understanding of the game.

Adjusting to the demands of playing point guard was a significant challenge for Booker, especially as a freshman stepping into a starting position that differed significantly from her natural role. Schaefer emphasized the added difficulty for a freshman, not only in learning a new position but also in managing the team, ensuring everyone is in the right position, and understanding the timing and angles of passes.

The Baylor game, where Booker struggled with turnovers, marked a tough start for her at the point guard position. However, Schaefer highlighted the valuable support she received from Rori Harmon, a seasoned player with a keen understanding of the game. Harmon’s coaching advice and encouragement helped Booker regain her confidence and lead the team effectively.

Harmon’s court vision and high basketball IQ have been crucial in guiding Booker through her transition to the point guard role. According to Booker, Harmon’s insights and suggestions on the court consistently prove effective. Schaefer commended Booker for seizing the opportunity, putting the team on her back, and providing strong leadership and direction during this challenging phase.

Madison Booker’s impact on the Texas Longhorns’ performance in Big 12 play has been nothing short of transformative. The team’s scoring has seen a significant uptick, averaging 74.9 points per game, the highest in the conference, compared to the previous season’s 70.3 points, which ranked fifth. This surge in offensive productivity is particularly remarkable considering the absence of key players like Rori Harmon and DeYona Gaston due to injuries.

Coach Vic Schaefer attributes this success to Booker’s exceptional decision-making skills, passing ability, floor vision, and basketball IQ. Since transitioning to a new position, Booker has showcased an impressive stat line, averaging 20.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, six assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Her scoring prowess is reflected in the second-best scoring average in the conference, shooting an efficient 47.1% overall and an outstanding 90.4% from the free-throw line.

Booker’s playmaking abilities extend beyond scoring, as she is tied for the best assist average in the Big 12 with 5.6 assists per game, sharing the spot with Iowa State’s Emily Ryan. Notably, she achieved her first double-double against West Virginia, a team known for its formidable defense, tallying 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Booker has consistently recorded at least six assists in six out of nine games.

Coach Schaefer commends Booker’s versatility, emphasizing her enjoyment of both making plays and scoring. He expresses confidence in her ability to handle pressure situations and take crucial shots when needed, a rare trait for a freshman player.

Booker’s exceptional performance has not gone unnoticed on the national stage. She finds herself shortlisted for the Cheryl Miller Award, an honor for the nation’s best small forward. Remarkably, she is the sole freshman among the top-10 finalists. Additionally, Booker is part of an elite group of three freshmen named to the Wooden late-season watchlist, alongside Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and USC’s JuJu Watkins.

Despite being outside her natural position, Booker has excelled in her role, standing out in a season dominated by highly talented freshmen. Coach Schaefer, a two-time national coach of the year, sees more accolades in Booker’s future. He places her in the company of two other impactful freshmen, Rori Harmon and Victoria Vivians, whom he considers the most competitive and influential rookies in his extensive 38-year coaching career.

Harmon, a 5-6 guard, has already earned All-American honorable mention distinctions, becoming the first freshman at Texas to achieve this recognition. She was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2022 Big 12 Championship, which the Longhorns won. Vivians, a 6-1 WNBA guard who played on Schaefer’s back-to-back runner-up national championship teams at Mississippi State in 2017-18, earned AP All-America honorable mention as a freshman and set program records.

What sets Booker apart, according to Schaefer, is her advanced skill set as a passer and ball-handler. He notes her continual pursuit of improvement, evident in her daily engagement with Harmon for advice and her active participation in film sessions with coaches.

In the face of adversity, such as sudden changes in starting positions or adapting to challenges like altering angles to avoid her father’s outstretched hands during childhood games, Booker has consistently demonstrated resilience and a desire for improvement. Coach Schaefer is confident that Booker’s dedication and passion for growth will undoubtedly lead to further achievements, predicting a future as a four-time All-American at Texas.