Madison Booker is making waves in the world of college basketball, racking up accolades that highlight her exceptional talent and leadership on the court. The Texas junior is not only a 2026 First Team Associated Press All-American but also one of five finalists for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, recognizing the most outstanding women's college basketball player in the nation.
Booker's performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. She led her team to consecutive Final Four appearances, showcasing her skills with a team-high 19 points in the Longhorns' dominant 77-41 Elite Eight victory over Michigan.
Her tournament stats are impressive, averaging 22.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Her standout play earned her the title of MVP at the SEC Tournament, where she scored 18 points in a decisive win over South Carolina, and she was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Fort Worth 3 Regional.
Joining Booker in the race for the Wooden Award are some of the brightest stars in the game: UConn's Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, UCLA's towering Lauren Betts, and Vanderbilt's scoring sensation Mikayla Blakes. Each brings their own unique flair to the court, making this a highly competitive field.
The upcoming Final Four promises thrilling matchups. UConn's Strong and Fudd, with their impressive stats, will face off against South Carolina, while Booker and Betts will lead their teams in a Texas vs.
UCLA showdown. The Longhorns previously handed the Bruins their only loss of the season, with Booker contributing 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in that game.
The Wooden All-American team is a who's who of college basketball talent, featuring not only Booker, Betts, Blakes, Fudd, and Strong but also stars like Iowa State's Audi Crooks, South Carolina's Joyce Edwards, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, LSU's Flau'jae Johnson, and TCU's Olivia Miles.
Booker's record-setting performance in the NCAA Tournament includes a career-high 40 points against Oregon, marking a new Texas record for tournament scoring. Her career total of 228 points in NCAA Tournament play places her second in Texas history, just behind the legendary Clarissa Davis.
As the Wooden Award's 50th anniversary approaches, all eyes will be on Los Angeles, where the winners will be announced. Booker is set to be a central figure in the celebrations, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the game this season.