The SEC-champion Texas Longhorns are powered by small forward Madison Booker, one of the very best talents in the country.
Madison Booker has already had a historic career with the Texas Longhorns, but as her team approaches the NCAA Tournament following an SEC Tournament victory, the junior forward could add even more to her resume.
This week, Booker was named a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award, which is given annually to the nation's best small forward. Other finalists include LSU's Mikaylah Williams, Ole Miss' Cotie McMahon, Michigan's Olivia Olson, and UCLA's Gabriela Jaquez.
The Ridgeland, Mississippi native Booker is accustomed to this honor as she is the two-time reigning recipient (2024-25), and now has an opportunity to make it a three-peat to join rare company.
In its ninth year of existence, the award is voted on by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Booker is just the second recipient (and second in a row) to receive the honor in back-to-back seasons.
Only Ashley Joens (2020-23) of Iowa State has won the award three consecutive times. Booker can match that history this season if the votes go her way, and her stats suggest that she could be the frontrunner.
The Longhorns star is averaging career-highs in scoring (18.9) and rebounding (6.5) while being a two-way threat with a personal-best 2.3 steals per game this season.
Booker was just named to the First Team All-America team by USA TODAY and The Athletic, her second time receiving that recognition. When Texas won its first SEC tournament crown this past weekend, Booker was named the Tournament MVP after averaging over 20 points per contest, including a semifinal explosion of 31 points (a career-high) and 11 rebounds.
READ MORE: Texas Stars Named Wooden Award Finalists
Earlier in the week, Booker's brilliance was recognized by Texas Basketball's most famous alumni, NBA great Kevin Durant.
Nike and KD helped launch an exclusive NIL program for Longhorns student-athletes, and Booker was the brand's first signing.
Fans can decide who should take home the Cheryl Miller Award by voting on hoophallawards.com. Voting begins Friday, March 13, and the "Fan Vote" will count as one committee vote during the final selection process.
The award is named in honor of the three-time Naismith National Player of the Year from USC and 1995 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee.
