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Quiet Strength, Loud Impact: The Steady Rise of Ariel Atkins

Written by Amaria Fields on . Posted in WNBA.

It’s funny how, as much as things change, some things do not. On a 2019 Instagram post,
Ariel Atkins described her younger self as a “quiet, lanky, determined kid.” She still moves
through life much like she commands the court—calm, deliberate, and always in control. Off the
floor, there’s an almost Zen-like serenity about her: she rarely seeks the spotlight, preferring
quiet consistency to flashy statements. The only shift? She is now a WNBA champion, an
Olympian, and a vocal leader in one of the best sports leagues in the world.

It was a long road to get there though, starting in her hometown of Duncanville, Texas. A
teacher at Atkins’ elementary school saw her potential in basketball very early. At five years old,
to be exact. “I would probably say like it was my kindergarten coach,” she said when asked how
she got her start in the game. For her formative years, basketball was what it is for most kids: a
way to have fun, exercise, and to meet new friends. Atkins is known to be humble, so it is not
surprising that those around her saw something in her she did not see in herself until way later.
“I feel like a lot of people would say we knew earlier, but I personally, honestly didn’t
know up until high school, that I was pretty good at it,” she admits. “But I think the biggest thing
about it was that I just felt myself getting better. I think I didn’t necessarily know if I was just
like, I’m just good at basketball, but I did feel myself progressing.”

She credits her high school varsity coach and fellow UT-Austin alum, Cathy Self-
Morgan, as someone who not only taught her the X’s and O’s but also showed her what it meant
to care for young women beyond the court. When asked about Self-Morgan, Atkins seemed
overcome with gratitude and emotion.

“I could talk about [her impact] all day…I think the biggest thing about Coach Self is she
cares about young women at the core of who she is. I think that was the biggest thing that she
preached to us is about being independent young women, but also being appreciative of the
things that have been given to us, and going out and doing what we need to do and being great.”
Self encouraging Atkins to be great is an understatement; the guard graduated from
Duncanville High School with two state championships in her sophomore and junior seasons.
She was part of a legacy that amassed an incredible 105-game winning streak from December
2011 to February 2014, in addition to a myriad of personal accolades. But when asked about her
favorite moment with her high school coach, she did not mention the championships or eighty-
point blowouts.

“At basketball every day for the four years that I played for her, there was never a day
that she wasn’t waiting at the door for every single one of us to come from class to the locker
room to go to practice. She met every single player at the door every single day for literally four
years straight.”

What stuck with her most from her time playing in red and blue went far beyond the
scoreboard: “A lot of people talk about how you learn to be a pro in college. I really learned how
to be a pro coach. She taught me how to be selfless…she taught me how to be organized, but she

also taught me to never back down, to be tough, and to believe in who I am as a person. I
honestly credit a lot of my mental toughness and my approach to the game to her — she taught
me so much.”

WNBA PLAYER STATS: 2025

Before she became a standout at Texas, Atkins had dozens of options for college — but
her heart never wavered far from home. Family ties and a deep sense of Lonestar state pride
shaped her decision long before she ever stepped onto the Forty Acres.

“I felt like Texas had the best of both worlds — a world-class education and a world-class
athletic program. It wasn’t too far for my family to visit me, and I’m a Texas kid who wanted to
stay in Texas. I didn’t really take a lot of other visits because I knew I didn’t want to go out of
state. I wanted [my family] to be able to drive to see me instead of having to take a flight.”
Atkins’ first year in burnt orange and white was solid: she averaged 9.7 points, 3.4
rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while logging nearly 24 minutes on the court each
contest. Her impressive all-around play earned her Big 12 All-Freshman honors, signaling her as
a rising talent in college basketball.

Her main adjustments had to be made off the floor. The diversity of a college team that
recruited nationally was a culture shock, vastly different from the demographics of Duncanville.
“Duncanville is a small town and all my classmates, teammates, we all lived around the
same city. So, when I [was] at UT, it was different. 
You had a lot of people from a lot of
different backgrounds, which I necessarily wasn’t used to. I played on the same AAU team since
I was seven. So, I was just used to being around the same type of people. I think my transition to
UT was a little tough in the sense of I was away from family.”

Atkins began to make a national name for herself at UT as a defensive stopper, but before
she wore a Texas uniform or guarded the best scorers in the WNBA, defense was always a
priority. That tenacity started at home and was sharpened by every coach who demanded she
play fearless and tough. Today, it’s the same grit and relentless energy that have made her one of
the league’s most respected perimeter defenders, someone teammates trust to guard the best
player on the floor when it matters most.

Defense was a chess match for Atkins and was not just about stopping the other team
from scoring; it fueled other aspects of the game, too. “We didn’t want to have to take shots, we
didnt want to have to use screens. We wanted to shoot layups, and that came from defense to get
steals.” This matched a Coach Karen Aston’s high energy and up-tempo style of play she was
known for while coaching in Austin.

“All of the coaches as a whole, that was something that they really preached about us is
that we wanted to be the hardest working team on the floor, and we wanted to push ourselves on
a day in and day out…[mindset of] there’s nobody in the country working harder than us. There
are probably teams that were better than us. But I think that we were really in practice grinding
and out every day.”

Atkins left UT with her name firmly etched in the record books, graduating as one of the
program’s all-time leaders in steals, games played, and defensive impact — a legacy that
eventually transferred over to the WNBA.

“Tactically, it’s always the same when you move up levels — the pace changes, the speed
of the game changes, and then there’s the physicality, which is a whole different thing. The
physicality is not something anybody can really prepare you for — you’re getting hit, getting
knocked upside the head a little bit. Honestly, my first two years, even now, I’m still working on
getting over and under screens. My first two years, I ran into every screen possible,” she laughed.
“I went from being kind of a go-to option in college to run corner to corner and being open on a
kick-out or being open if somebody helps down [low]…”

She cites her teammates helping her with the pro transition and how they encouraged her
to be herself. Additionally, Atkins also found a mentor who shaped her game in a new way in
Washington — longtime Mystics head coach Mike Thibault, known around the league as one of
the great basketball minds.

“I mean, he’s like the coaches of all coaches. I pretty much would kind of compare him to
my [high school] coach. For me, he just taught me a lot about the game and just seeing the little
nuances of it. His ability to hype you up or calm you down was huge for me. I’m sort of an
over-thinker sometimes, so he was good at just being like, ‘Hey, this is what it is…’ He was just
phenomenal coach, to be honest.”

She left the Mystics as a WNBA champion and an Olympian — and now in Chicago,
Atkins is carrying that same fearless edge and proven pedigree to a new locker room determined
to make its mark. Her confidence, once quiet and reserved, has grown into something bigger than
her stat line. When she stood beside rookie Angel Reese in a press conference, defending her
teammate against critics, she showed that her leadership isn’t just on the court — it’s at the
microphone, too.

“I just enjoy it because so many people have poured into me, so many people have given
me so much knowledge and joy and like love when it comes to this game. And so, I love just
passing it on as much as I can, but also just getting to know them and getting to know our team,
to make sure that the things that I give them are not only good for them, but it also actually helps
us move forward.”

Atkins is still that quiet, determined kid at heart — but now her game, her voice, and her
presence speak volumes. She’s proof that you don’t have to be loud to lead, but you do have to
stand firm. And wherever her career takes her next, one thing is certain: Ariel Atkins will keep
showing up, ready to do the work — calmly, deliberately, and always in control.

 

Amaria Fields – Covers sports for Texas Sports Monthly and Hook Em News. She played at Boston College and the University of Detroit Mercy, and Is a McKinney North alum where she hold several offensive records and scored over 1,900 career points. Ms. Fields also worked in NBA Player Development and with both the Mavericks and Celtics organizations.

The Glue Girl: How Sarah Graves Earned Her Place at Texas

Written by Amaria Fields on . Posted in College Baseball, NCAA BASKETBALL.

Sarah Graves’ path to a scholarship at the University of Texas wasn’t a straightforward one.
Starting as a determined walk-on from Keller, Texas, she faced long odds and fierce competition,
but her relentless work ethic and unshakable belief in herself propelled her forward. From the
moment she stepped onto the Forty Acres, she committed to proving that heart and hustle could
earn a place on one of college basketball’s most competitive teams.

Out of high school, Graves had numerous Division I offers, but something was different
about the burnt orange. What guided her through her decisions was a simple yet powerful piece
of advice: find a program and coaches that align with who you are as a person.
“The biggest advice everybody told me in high school was to find somewhere where you
felt like the program fit you… I was just looking for a coach that reflected who [I was] in my
process, and none of my offers really felt like it was a perfect fit for me. I had a lot of doubts
going into [my recruiting process].”

On a “whim,” Graves turned down all her other offers and applied to UT Austin — as a
regular student. She ended up being accepted to the McCombs School of Business (top 20 in the
country, we may add), and sent a direct message on social media to current Associate Head
Coach Elena Lovato. The contents of the message were cut and dry: a highlight reel and a
request for an opportunity to earn a roster spot.

“In a couple of weeks, I was in a whole new life, honestly,” she admits. That DM led to a
tryout that she describes as “really, really difficult.” UT is known for playing tough defense, so
she was led through conditioning and defensive exercises after the fundamentals. “Obviously,
you start with ballhandling and shooting, but that’s a baseline requirement for basketball players,
and they were just having me guard guys — full grown 6’3″ men — full court, honestly. It’s just
a grind. They were trying to see, I think, how tough you were.”
Then, she made the team.

However, the work was just beginning. Showing up every day as a walk-on meant
constantly proving she belonged — not just to others, but to herself. The challenge of earning
playing time at one of the country’s top programs demanded an unwavering mindset, especially
as Texas prepared to transition from the Big 12 to the SEC.

“It was just working towards a standard. I held myself to a certain standard, even though I
didn’t think I could play and make an impact in my freshman year. It was more so just, how can I
focus on details and urgency and making sure that I push myself, even though I didn’t think I
could be an immediate impact on the court. Now that I’m a senior, that’s something that has kind
of come full circle for me because I see people come in — redshirts, freshmen, things like that —
people that don’t think they can make an immediate impact. And I think it’s an awful mindset to
have, to coast.”

Texas has long had a reputation for tough, detail-oriented coaches who push players far
beyond their comfort zones, especially those bold enough to bet on themselves without a
scholarship guarantee. Vic Schaefer is no different.

“Our coaches have a skill at making you feel seen and pushing at the same time. They’re
not going to let you coast in practice, so while I didn’t think I could make an immediate impact
on the court, that was never my focus. It was like, ‘How can I win this practice? How can I prove
myself every day?’” The “trenches” is a modest way to describe UT Austin women’s basketball
workouts. Instagram clips can be found of the team lifting heavy weights and running sprints in
the Texas heat. Their on-court practices are meticulous, with teammates and coaches alike
holding everyone accountable.

Preseason conditioning was a time those off-court bonds grew through struggling together.
“I look over and [I] see people gasping for air, and I’d look over at someone I’m close with —
like Rori Harmon — and we’re always locked in, trying to push each other because we’re super
competitive… we’d look over kind of like, ‘Alright, let’s do this.’ I’d get a quick head nod —
that’s all I need. I’d give full credit to my teammates because I genuinely couldn’t stay in it day
after day without them.”

The preseason grinds, late nights, and early mornings paid off. A video went viral of Graves
receiving a full scholarship. She can be seen bounding in excitement when getting the news and
being swarmed by teammates who were now her family. It was something she was not
expecting, but she recounts the memory with a huge smile.

“So, we read the quote of the day at the end of every practice and the beginning of every
practice, and so I’d done that a couple times… I think it was something about hard work… I was
reading a quote and at the end of it just said, ‘Sarah, you’re now on full ride.’ I had no idea at all.
It is something I will remember forever.”

Her financial aid situation transformed with her game. There are many things she has gotten
better at, but the main thing she cites is the increase in toughness. She says this shift is courtesy
of Coach Schaefer. She said with a laugh, “You know, he loves defense… You only imagine
how it is three hours of practice here with us pushing each other being physical… he’s so smart.
There’s no room for shortcuts. And so, if you take a shortcut in any aspect of your life, it’s going
to come back to get you, like, you can’t escape that, can’t escape the hard work.”

When the now senior talks about what sets her apart, she doesn’t point to her stat line or just
her on-court hustle — instead, she comes back to the intangibles that don’t show up in the box
score. “What I’ve heard from them [the coaches] is, one, leadership — like being a connector
and taking things seriously outside just the court and just basketball,” she explains. “People call
you the glue player or the glue girl — that’s a common term I hear — but being very intentional
about the relationships that you build with the coach and with your teammates, that’s very
important to your team. I feel like that’s something that kind of goes overlooked a lot.”

But there’s more to Graves than holding people together — she brings a level of discipline
that lifts the standard for everyone around her. “And then two is just attention to detail. I didn’t

really notice that was uncommon, but for them [the coaches], they really said they like how I
treat every rep like it’s the last one. Like, you really focus on detail and urgency and help push
other people.”

There is one quote Graves will hold close to her heart forever. One that Vic Schaefer can be
seen saying on national TV repeatedly.

“How you do anything is how you do everything,” she says with finality. “It’s about life.
It’s not about basketball; it’s about who you are as a person. What you do every day in practice,
how you perform every rep — that’s going to determine how successful you’re going to be in
five years, ten years, whether you’re in basketball, business, just anything in life… that’s a
reflection of who you are and your character.” In the end, Sarah Graves shows that leadership is more than words — it’s the daily

commitment to doing things the right way, no matter how small. She’s a connector, a standard-
setter, and a reminder that how you approach every detail shapes what you achieve far beyond

the game. For Sarah, it’s never just about basketball — it’s about who you choose to be, every
single day. And that’s why her impact will echo far beyond the court.

 

 

Amaria Fields – Covers sports for Texas Sports Monthly and Hook Em News. She played at Boston College and the University of Detroit Mercy, and Is a McKinney North alum where she hold several offensive records and scored over 1,900 career points. Ms. Fields also worked in NBA Player Development and with both the Mavericks and Celtics organizations.

Joyner Holmes: Longhorn Legacy

Written by Amaria Fields on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

A Longhorn Legacy . . . . Rooted in Grit, Faith, and Giving Back

UT alum Joyner Holmes, the talented, multi-faceted athlete, grew up in Cedar Hill, Texas—a
basketball obsessed suburb south of Dallas. Her roots are deeply planted in the game. From a
young age, she could be found on the neighborhood blacktops, battling older boys, and matching
their energy with her raw talent and athleticism. “I was just always outside as a kid,” she recalls
fondly. “So, I feel like my dad was always pushing me, kind of to play basketball and I was
pretty good at it…I played with boys older than me or guys the same age as me. I was always
taller and more athletic than the people around me, so I used that to my advantage.”

But raw skill was only one part of the equation. Behind her growth was a household filled with
discipline, guidance, and sometimes tension. “My parents were a big influence. I’d describe our
relationship as love-hate at times,” Holmes admits. “My dad pushed me constantly, and my
mom—she knows a lot because she’s been on this journey with me every step of the way.”
As much as her story is grounded in family and physical grit, the forward is also rooted in faith.
“As I’ve gotten older, my faith and trust in God have become a bigger part of who I am. It’s not
always easy, but I think my journey really speaks for itself.”

Long before Holmes reached UT Austin and the WNBA, she had mentors with her best interest
at heart. When asked about her youth coaches, she did not hesitate to give raving remarks. Coach
Andrea Robinson and Nicole Collins, both of whom coached the superstar in high school, were
instrumental to her success.

“My first two years I played for Coach Robinson, and I think that really shaped my
mentality—just work, work, work with her. Collins was under Robinson for a couple years at
Guyer… that helped her [coaching], obviously. When the coaching change happened, it was still
the same role. They always pushed me, and in the back of my mind, I always wanted to be one of
the best women’s basketball players to ever come out of Cedar Hill—and I think I accomplished
that.” It is fair to say the coaching paid off. Holmes competed for USA in the FIBA U17 World
Championships, where she won a gold medal in 2014. Per ESPN, Holmes was the number two
women’s basketball player in the country at the time of her graduation. In 2016, she was named a
McDonald’s All-American—one of the highest honors in high school basketball—before taking
her talents to the Forty Acres.

A player of Holmes’ caliber had dozens of offers to choose from (ESPN lists her final three as
Notre Dame, University of Tennessee, and UT-Austin), but it was bonds and the close drive to
Cedar Hill that made her elect to be a Longhorn for another four years. Fittingly, Cedar Hill High
School shares the same Longhorn mascot as her alma mater, making her transition from high
school to college feel like something written in the stars even more.

One of the biggest influences in the decision? Fellow WNBA standout and Longhorn legend
Ariel Atkins. Atkins is etched in the UT history books in her own right and is currently starter for
the Chicago Sky.

“Multiple individuals that were at Texas at the time that I really trusted. I would say Ariel Atkins
is a big one of the biggest reasons why I attended the University of Texas because I just know
her leadership. She has been a pro since day one.”

Photo: UT Athletics
UT Athletics –

Joyner’s first year in burnt orange was what most would call seamless—in starting almost every
game her first year, she averaged 12.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 26.5
minutes of play. “The transition wasn’t too bad,” Holmes says. “But the biggest shock was time
management—just figuring out how to balance everything on and off the court…it’s like having
a full-time job while also being in school. You’ve got basketball, classes, meetings, and
everything scheduled day in and day out.”

Under head coach Karen Aston, the Longhorns maintained a culture of high standards and elite
development (Holmes’ fondest UT memory is beating Baylor in Waco), and it started with the
staff. They were not just experienced—they had been around greatness, and they expected
nothing less from their players. One of the most influential figures in Holmes’ college journey
was assistant coach Tina Thompson, a WNBA icon, and Hall-of-Famer.

“You know, like having Tina Thompson on my staff. I mean it’s actually unbelievable. Some
days when I think about it and like being able to just contact her, you know, now still to this day.
Tiffany Jackson, you know, is the ultimate Pro. Everything at Texas was ran at a pro level.”
After four years at Texas, Holmes declared for the 2020 WNBA Draft, ready to take her game to
the next level. Though the draft process was altered by the COVID-19 pandemic and held
virtually, she still achieved a lifelong dream when she was selected by the Seattle Storm with the
19th overall pick in the second round. Her time in Austin—full of high-level competition, elite
coaching, and relentless structure—had prepared her for the challenges of the pros. Eventually,
Holmes signed with the New York Liberty, where she began her rookie season. The transition
wasn’t without its learning curves, but Holmes brought the same grit, athleticism, and hunger
that made her a standout at Texas. One of the biggest lessons she carried into the league was the
importance of mental toughness and self-belief.

“I think building my confidence,” Holmes shares. “I think just going around, listening to people,
and having my own experiences—confidence is key. And I think that’s something we, as women,
kind of struggle within this league…”

Beyond the physical game, she has remained deeply committed to giving back—especially to the
communities that shaped her. “When I’m home, I frequently try to go to my [high] school…So
just, you know, helping them and being able to [always] tell them that I’m a resource. And [they
can] call me any time. I went down to Texas in November, and I spoke to some of the other
girls…I’m a resource and I’m here and willing to help.”

In the near decade since she has graduated high school, Holmes has learned tons. When asked
the most impactful lesson, she was not slow to reply.

“…Basketball is what I do it’s not who I am. It doesn’t define me. Like, I am like human being
outside of just my job title, you know? So just being able to know who [I am]. Just stay true to
that.”

As of now, Holmes is continuing her professional journey with the Las Vegas Aces—one of the
WNBA’s most competitive and high-profile franchises. Surrounded by championship culture and
elite talent, she’s embracing every opportunity to grow, contribute, and compete at the highest
level. Her journey—from blacktop battles in Cedar Hill to the bright lights of the
WNBA—remains a testament to her resilience, faith, and unshakable belief in who she is, on and
off the court.

 

 

rs sports for Texas Sports Monthly and Hook Em News. She played at Boston College and the University of Detroit Mercy, and Is a McKinney North alum where she hold several offensive records and scored over 1,900 career points. Ms. Fields also worked in NBA Player Development and with both the Mavericks and Celtics organizations.  

The Rise of Madison Booker

Written by Amaria Fields on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

Madison Booker’s rise has been nothing short of outstanding. From her days as a
five-star recruit and two-time Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year to becoming the
centerpiece of the Texas Longhorns, Booker has delivered on every expectation, and then
some. As a freshman in 2023–24, she stepped into the spotlight earlier than expected,
taking over point-forward duties after Rori Harmon’s injury. Her poise, vision, and scoring
instinct were on full display as she averaged 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per
game her first year in Austin. She became the first freshman in Big 12 history to win both
Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year honors in the same season.

Booker’s sophomore campaign in 2024–25 was somehow even more dominant. She
adapted to the Longhorns’ transition into the SEC, leading them to notable wins while
elevating her own game. She was named SEC Player of the Year and a unanimous First
Team All-American after averaging 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Her efficiency improved too, as she shot 46.4% from the field and an elite 40.3% from

three. In critical games against top-ranked teams, she often took over late, whether it was
with a clutch bucket, a key assist, or a stop on defense. Booker’s basketball IQ and
leadership on and off the court helped lift Texas to a No. 1 national ranking—their first
since 2004—and solidified her as one of the best players in the country.

What makes Booker’s ascent more impressive is the way she elevates those around
her. Whether it’s drawing double teams to create open looks for teammates or setting the
tone with her work ethic in practice, she’s become the heartbeat of Vic Schaefer’s squad.
Her unselfishness and calm under pressure have turned her into a coach on the floor. As
Texas enters the new season with national championship expectations, Booker’s
leadership, versatility, and relentless competitiveness will be central to their pursuit. With
her skill set and maturity, she’s not only one of the most complete players in college
basketball but also the kind of leader who can turn a great team into a championship one.
Heading into the 2025–26 season, Booker is entrenched as the face of Texas
women’s basketball and a front-runner for National Player of the Year honors.

She returns as the team’s leader in scoring, and with Harmon healthy again, the Longhorns boast one
of the most dynamic back-courts in the nation. With a strong supporting cast and the sting
of last season’s early tournament exit still fresh, Texas enters the season focused and
hungry. Booker’s continued evolution as a scorer, defender, and facilitator will be the key
to a deep March run. As she begins her junior year, Madison Booker isn’t just rising.
She’s leading a national title push.

 

Amaria Fields – Covers sports for Texas Sports Monthly and Hook Em News. She played at Boston College and the University of Detroit Mercy, and Is a McKinney North alum where she hold several offensive records and scored over 1,900 career points. Ms. Fields also worked in NBA Player Development and with both the Mavericks and Celtics organizations.  

Tre Johnson: Empty Gyms to the NBA Draft

Written by Brian Tosti on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL, TEXAS SPORTS.

It’s hard to miss Tre Johnson on the court.

I remember the first time I saw him in summer 2022. I was doing NBA Player
Development interning and there was a kid who was already in the gym in doing ball handling as
we were coming in. Everything he did was precise. He didn’t make a mistake. I continued to
watch him do the same moves over and over, instantly intrigued.
I was appointed to rebound for him the duration of the workout. He missed no more than five
shots total from all over the floor. Floaters, jumpers, off the dribble, finishes, the whole nine
yards. I was even more shocked when I was told he was about to be a junior in high school.
Amongst guys who are now pros, Tre stood out even then. The Lake Highlands gym was hot, the
floor slick with sweat.

It didn’t matter.

We were able to see this past season that when Tre Johnson is locked in, there is not much
you can do to stop him. His rookie year at Texas did not disappoint. The 6-6 guard was the
leading scorer of the Longhorns with 17.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, he
glimpsed some of the reasons why he is a lock to be a lottery pick in this upcoming draft. He hit
47 percent on field goals, 38 on three-pointers and 86 percent on free throws, all of the time
attracting the most hard core defenders on the perimeter, game after game.
He did not just score in bulk, he scored in variety. Johnson has always been able to find
space, reach his positions, and shoot at a rhythm, despite playing against top SEC defenses. It
could be a step back jumper late in the shot clock or an off-the-bounce floater over an opposing
shot-blocker in the lane, but he showed that he had a complete offense arsenal. What worked in
his favor perhaps most importantly with scouts is that he could play on the ball, as well as off of
it. He exhibited play-making ability when Texas employed him as a point guard in crunch-time
moments.

Going into the 2026 NBA Draft, Johnson has been constantly slated as a top 5 selection, with
some even projecting him to go to the NBA as the No. 2 overall pick. His poise, footwork, and
mature feel of the game is praised by NBA scouts. He has been compared to Devin Booker and
Jayson Tatum since high school, two players that score very easily, and his freshman season with
the Texas Longhorns did nothing to quell that comparison. What sets Johnson apart isn’t just his
skill—it’s his approach. He’s business-like in his preparation, meticulous in his training, and
unbothered by the spotlight.

If his college debut was any indication, Tre’ Johnson isn’t just ready for the NBA—he’s ready to
make an impact the moment he arrives.

 

Amaria Fields – Covers sports for Texas Sports Monthly and Hook Em News. She played at Boston College and the University of Detroit Mercy, and Is a McKinney North alum where she hold several offensive records and scored over 1,900 career points. Ms. Fields also worked in NBA Player Development and with both the Mavericks and Celtics organizations.

The Top 5 Challenges Facing Coach Steve Sarkisian

Written by Thomas L. Seltzer on . Posted in UT FOOTBALL.

The Top 5 Challenges Facing Coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns as they embark on the 2025 season:

1. Rebuilding the Offensive Line
Challenge: Replace four NFL-bound starters.

Last year’s line saw Kelvin Banks Jr., Cam Williams, Hayden Conner, and Jake Majors drafted or signed by NFL teams. While Sarkisian and coach Kyle Flood used the portal and recruited well, the group lacks live-game chemistry. Sark warned of growing pains despite development.
This season’s performance in Week 1 at Ohio State will be telling.

2. Navigating NIL & Revenue Politics

Challenge: Balancing transparency, budget, and compliance.

Texas projects a $35 million football payroll under new NCAA-House NIL settlement rules—yet Coach Sark has publicly challenged inflated rumors of a $40 million NIL budget

He advocates an NFL-style cap-and-control while pushing for antitrust-protections for school-sponsored NIL

Managing athletes’ market expectations while staying compliant is a tightrope walk.

3. X-Factors: Depth & Leadership Transition

Challenge: Replacing departed leadership and filling new roles.
The team lost key leaders from the 2023–24 runs. Emerging figures like Arch Manning, Wisner, Hill Jr., and Taaffe must fill that leadership void.

Meanwhile, depth concerns linger—especially on the defensive line, offensive line, and tight end spots.

4. Cultural Consistency

Challenge: Sustaining ‘Culture Wednesdays’ synergy amid roster shifts.
Sark overhauled UT’s culture early in his tenure with initiatives like “Culture Wednesdays” to foster unity.

But mid-season departures like Johntay Cook II raised concerns.

The coach must keep team cohesion and identity strong through potential growing pains and injuries.

5. Expectations & National Title Pressure

Challenge: Delivering on elite expectations.

After back-to-back CFP semifinal runs, the dominant question is: “Can Sark finally capture Texas’ first national championship under his watch?”

With a brutal opening at Ohio State and SEC rematch against Georgia, this season is pivotal.

In Summary

Coach Sark is steering a championship-caliber team—but navigating high-risk waters:

Reforming the offensive trenches.
Staying ahead in the NIL game.
Fostering leadership in a new locker room, and maintaining cultural momentum

And ultimately, meeting national expectations is the biggest challenge Coach Sark will face in 2025!

Success hinges on minimizing growing pains, integrating fresh leaders, and delivering clutch wins in major spots. Sark’s blueprint is bold, but this
season’s outcomes will ultimately
define its legacy.

The first test will be Ohio State Aug 30th!

The Wave of Name, Image, and Likeness

Written by Amaria Fields on . Posted in NCAA.

The wave of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has completely altered the nature of
high school recruiting and no program has been more active in taking advantage of this
shift than the UT-Austin. The recruiting process has now become dubious in terms of
focusing more on the aspect of the business opportunity as opposed to focusing more on
coaching stacs, facilities, and tradition. As UT Austin has embraced this new reality, it has
developed among the most sophisticated NIL support systems in college sports. The
university has its system of support with in-house NIL departments, legal facilities, and

branding education, which allows recruits to be confident that they can develop as an
athlete and a personal brand.

Playing time is no longer the only factor that recruits view when considering
schools, but the ability to create an NIL value as well has become a factor in play. UT
provides the money to match entry-level professional wages with deep-pocketed donor
collectives and organized funds, such as Texas One Fund and Horns With Heart. Such
groups make it clear to recruits that to be a Longhorn is more than playing on the field it is
about creating a business. This has raised the state of Texas in the national recruiting wars,
particularly in football and basketball when NIL can take in the range of six or seven figures
before a player takes a single minute of college play.

The pitch from Texas to high school athletes now includes not just tradition, but
opportunity: a chance to partner with global brands, appear in national media campaigns,
and build long-term wealth. Some athletes arrive on campus with existing NIL deals and
are immediately slotted into curated marketing strategies tailored to their personal stories
and goals. Even official visits have become NIL showcases, featuring luxury cars, private
dinners, and social media exposure—all to give prospects a glimpse of the lifestyle and
business network they can access at UT.

For UT, the NIL era is not a disruption—it’s an extension of its brand. The university’s
size, location, alumni network, and reputation already made it a recruiting giant. Now, with
NIL reshaping the game, Texas is proving it can lead not just in sports performance, but in
building athlete entrepreneurs. As NIL continues to evolve, UT Austin remains at the
forefront, treating high school recruitment not just as a pathway to trophies, but as a
gateway to long-term success for the athletes themselves.

 

Amaria Fields – Covers sports for Texas Sports Monthly and Hook Em News. She played at Boston College and the University of Detroit Mercy, and Is a McKinney North alum where she hold several offensive records and scored over 1,900 career points. Ms. Fields also worked in NBA Player Development and with both the Mavericks and Celtics organizations.

Longhorn Football Preview: 2025

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in UT FOOTBALL.

As the Texas baseball team tries to fight its way back to Omaha, Longhorn football fans might feel a little like Yogi Berra as they count down the days until the 2025 season opener on Sept. 5. With another quarterback battle underway and a litany of questions still lingering following Steve Sarksian’s first year at the helm, it certainly feels like deja vu all over again on the 40 Acres.

Texas got off to a solid start in 2024 with a 38-18 thrashing of Louisiana-Lafayette, but a 40-21 drubbing at the hands of Arkansas quickly brought the Longhorns back to Earth. Following wins against in-state opponents Rice, Texas Tech and TCU, though, Sarkisian’s team gave away an early 21-point lead during a crushing 55-48 loss to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.Texas never recovered and lost five more games in a row, including an embarrassing 57-56 overtime setback at home to Kansas, before grinding out a 22-17 win against Kansas State in its season finale to finish with an uninspiring overall record of 5-7.

The Longhorns will have to show much more mental toughness versus a demanding Big 12 schedule in 2022, as well as strengthen both sides of the line of scrimmage. Texas had just one All-Big 12 selection along the offensive or defensive line in 2021, and that was OT Derek Kerstetter, who is now with the Buffalo Bills.At least while QBs Hudson Card — the hometown kid — and Quinn Ewers — the prodigal son — battle it out for starting reps, the Horns can rest easy knowing that all-conference running back Bijan Robinson is due back for his junior year after breaking out for 1,127 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in addition to 26 catches out of the backfield for 295 yards and another four scores.

Texas is also set to bring back sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who hauled in 62 passes for 981 yards and 12 TDs last season to lead the team in all three of those categories. In doing so, Worthy became the first Longhorn since Colt McCoy in 2006 to be named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.Senior running back Roschon Johnson is also set to return and can help take some of the carries off Robinson’s crowded plate, especially in short-yardage situations.

On defense, senior DT Keondre Coburn is expected to anchor the D-line, and versatile senior LB DeMarvion Overshown will be back on the weak side.In the secondary, the program once known as “DBU” will look to rebuild with CBs D’Shawn Jamison, Terrance Brooks and Ohio State transfer Ryan Watts. The safety roles will have to be occupied by newcomers, as Texas graduated three experienced performers last season.

The Longhorns are hoping the addition of former TCU defensive guru Gary Patterson will help their defense return to the form it showed when Texas was chasing national championships instead of Alamo Bowl berths.On special teams, the Longhorns will also need to find a new placekicker, although hopes of immediately finding the next Cameron Dicker or Justin Tucker are probably too optimistic. The clock is officially ticking down until kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 3 when the Longhorns welcome Louisiana-Monroe to Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for their 2022 season debut.

Texas Baseball: The Longhorns’ Storied History in Omaha

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in College Baseball, TEXAS SPORTS.

The Kings of College World Series Appearances

When it comes to making the pilgrimage to Omaha, Nebraska, no college baseball program does it better — or more often — than the Texas Longhorns.

The Longhorns hold the distinction of being the all-time leader in College World Series (CWS) appearances, and their legacy in Omaha is unmatched. From early dominance to modern consistency, the Burnt Orange and White is a fixture at college baseball’s biggest stage.

How Many Appearances?

As of 2024, Texas Baseball has made 38 appearances in the College World Series, the most of any program in NCAA history.

A Breakdown of Appearances

Decade CWS Appearances
1950s 6
1960s 5
1970s 5
1980s 6
1990s 5
2000s 5
2010s 3
2020s (so far) 3 (through 2024)
Photo: UT Athletics

Championship Success

  • National Championships: 6
    (1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, 2005)

  • Runner-Up Finishes: 6

The Longhorns have not only been frequent visitors to Omaha but also regular contenders for the national crown.

Legendary Coaches

Much of Texas Baseball’s Omaha success is tied to coaching icons:

  • Bibb Falk

  • Cliff Gustafson (22 CWS appearances, 2 national titles)

  • Augie Garrido (5 CWS appearances with Texas, 2 national titles)

  • David Pierce (multiple CWS appearances since 2018)

These leaders helped build a standard of excellence that defines the program to this day.

 

Texas and Omaha: A Special Bond

For Texas fans, trips to Omaha have become a cherished tradition. The sea of burnt orange that fills Charles Schwab Field (formerly Rosenblatt Stadium) is a testament to the deep connection between the Longhorns and the CWS.

UT’s ability to reload and return to Omaha — through different coaches, different players, and changing eras of college baseball — speaks to the program’s strength and national stature.

The Road Ahead

Under David Pierce’s leadership and with a new wave of talented players coming through Disch-Falk Field, Texas is poised to continue adding to its record-setting CWS total in the years ahead.

As Longhorn fans say every June:

“Omaha belongs to Texas.”

Thompson Trumps Card after Rice win

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

Is it Casey Thompson’s time, or will hometown product Hudson Card be the first signal caller to throw a pass during the Steve Sarkisian era?

That question has been on the forefront of Longhorns fans’ minds ever since Sark arrived on the 40 Acres to take over a program that has once again fallen stale — this time under the watch of purported savior Tom Herman. 

Thompson, a 6-1, 195-pound redshirt junior from Oklahoma City, appears to have the inside track due to his maturity level and eye-popping performance in the 2021 Alamo Bowl. After Sam Ehlinger was forced to leave the game with a shoulder injury, Thompson stole the spotlight and went 8 of 10 passing for 170 yards and four touchdowns as Texas romped to a 55-23 win over former Big 12 foe Colorado. 

A strong case for Card can be presented as well, though. The 6-2, 195-pound redshirt freshman from Lake Travis was a high school All-American that has the accuracy and timing necessary to bring the Longhorns’ passing game to life and convert key third downs.

During the annual Orange-White spring game, it was Thompson that got reps with Texas’ first-string skill players, but Card had arguably the better showing, which provided even more mystery to the position battle as the season draws closer.

Don’t expect Sark and his staff to rush to a decision. The competition will likely fuel both players and will also give the Longhorns a backup who’s instantly capable of stepping in should injury or ineffectiveness force a QB switch.

“I think we’ve got two frontline guys to start the process,” Sarkisian said of Thompson and Card. “I do like the maturity of [Thompson]. I like what he brought in the bowl game — you got a pretty good feel. We’ve obviously dug into a lot of practice tape. I like the skill set of Hudson Card. I think he’s a really talented player, and you see that when you dig into the tape.”

Photo UT Athletics

Thompson and Card each have solid mobility, but Thompson looks to be the more durable ballcarrier if he chooses to pull the pigskin down and take off downfield. That could provide an edge for Thompson as the Longhorns’ passing game rebuilds around wide receivers Josh Moore, Jordan Whittington and Troy Omiere and tight ends Cade Brewer and Jared Wiley.

A dual-threat player under center would also draw more eyes from opposing defenders and potentially make sophomore running back Bijan Robinson even more dangerous out of the backfield.

Both QBs will look to transition to Sarkisian’s run-pass option style attack that prioritizes quick hands and accuracy. The intangibles — like competitive drive and leadership — will also be tested as the Longhorns search for their new field general prior to Sept. 4’s season opener at DKR against Louisiana-Lafayette.

But even when a decision is made on who will be taking the first snaps of 2021, different questions will just replace the old ones — how much confidence does Sarkisian’s staff have in its starter, and if things go awry, how soon would a potential change be made?

In reality, the battle between Thompson and Card was decided after the Arkansas loss amd the winner of the job enjoying success is Casey Thompson. The eyes of Texas will be upon both players even though CT looks to remain a starter moving in this weeks home game versus Tech. Coach Sark hopes that the two QBs can prove both are the right one to help bring the Longhorns back to national prominence.