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

Texas freshman Madison Booker has been named the winner of the Cheryl Miller Award.

The award, announced Saturday, is given annually by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association to the best small forward in college basketball. Booker is the first freshman and first Longhorn to win the award, which was first handed out to UConn's Gabby Williams in 2018.

The other finalists 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 UT. "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 in December, Texas used Booker at point guard for much of the season.

Still, she averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds during her debut season. She earned Associated Press and WBCA All-American accolades and shared the Big 12 player of the year award with Oklahoma forward Skylar Vann, a senior. Booker also 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 1986 championship season. Texas (33-5) won the Big 12 Tournament and reached the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.