With the start of the women’s college basketball season just weeks away, expectations are high for the Texas Longhorns. That is partly because they will once again be led by one of the best players in the nation, Madison Booker. During her time as a Longhorn, Booker has added to her trophy case. That continued early this month, when the talented junior was named the SEC Preseason Player of the Year.
Booker is coming off a stellar sophomore season, in which she earned First Team All-America honors. She was also the SEC Player of the Year and, for the second time, earned the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award. Booker didn’t stop with the hardware there as a finalist for the Wade Trophy and Wooden Award.
With Booker having a career year, the Longhorns were hard to stop. The Mississippi native averaged 16.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. She also recorded a 46.4 shooting percentage from the field and was lethal from three-point range. Regardless of where Booker was on the court, she was hard to stop.
For many in Austin, Booker’s latest honor comes as no surprise. Through the first two years of her college career, the Longhorns forward has scored 1,231 points and hauled in 436 rebounds. Each year, she has set new career highs, which should continue during the 2025-2026 campaign.
While the awards have added to her legacy, Booker’s focus is on bringing a national title to Texas. Last year, the Longhorns fell just short of a national championship, advancing to the Final Four. With a roster full of returning faces, they should be able to build on their success.
Despite the high expectations, Booker is ready to provide a reminder to the basketball world why she is the very best at what she does. For Texas, that should lead to an unforgettable season.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Madison Booker earns special preseason honor
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
