Texas' Madison Booker beats LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee finalists for Cheryl Miller Award

This past Saturday, Texas freshman Madison Booker was named the winner of the 2024 Cheryl Miller Award.

The Cheryl Miller Award is given annually by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association to the best small forward in college basketball. Booker is the first freshman and first Longhorn to ever win an award that was first handed out to UConn's Gabby Williams in 2018.

The other finalists for the Cheryl Miller Award this season were LSU's Aneesah Morrow, Ohio State's Cotie McMahon, Tennessee's Rickea Jackson and North Carolina's Alyssa Ustby.

"It is an honor to be named the winner of the Cheryl Miller Award," Booker said in a statement released by Texas. "This season has been a blessing. I couldn't have done it without my Lord and Savior. He has opened so many doors for me. I couldn't have done it without the love and support from my teammates and coaches. To be named the winner of an award named after the great Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller is very special. I wouldn't have the opportunities I have today in women's basketball without players like Cheryl paving the way."

Booker being named the best small forward in college basketball comes with a notable caveat. Due to a season-ending injury to All-American candidate Rori Hamon back in December, Texas used Booker as its point guard for much of the season.

Still, Booker averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game during her Texas debut. She earned Associated Press and WBCA All-American accolades and shared the Big 12 Player of the Year award with Oklahoma senior forward Skylar Vann. Booker was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Big 12 Tournament.

With Booker leading the way, Texas won 33 games for the first time since its 1985-86 championship season. Texas (33-5) won the Big 12 Tournament title and reached the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas freshman basketball star Madison Booker wins Cheryl Miller Award