Last year, as a true sophomore, Madison Booker led the Texas Longhorns to an SEC regular-season title and was named the conference's Player of the Year. This year, she fell slightly short of that mark.
Despite averaging a jaw-dropping 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, Booker didn't defend her SEC Player of the Year Award, with it going to Vanderbilt's star player Mikayla Blakes, instead.
When asked about Blakes winning the award, Booker was the picture of class, expressing genuine gratitude for ever being considered and excitement for her former USA Basketball teammate.
"No grudges at all, I'm just not one to hold grudges at all," Booker said. "Mikayla's a great player. She deserved the award, fair and square. I don't think anybody else came close to her this year."
Madison Booker recognizes the baller in Mikayla Blakes
"I think she's doing phenomenal at Vandy," Booker continued. "I think she's leading that team... The way they turned around and won a lot more games in conference this year, I think that speaks volumes to her impact on the team."
Blakes, a true sophomore for the Vanderbilt Commodores, has undeniably been balling this season, leading the 'Dores to a 27-3 overall record behind 27.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game.
2025 SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker on 2026 SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes: "She deserved the award. ... I don't think anybody else came close to her this year."
— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) March 3, 2026
Booker and Blakes played together on USA Basketball's gold-winning AmeriCup team last summer. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/GK6IWEI1XY
When then-No. 5 Vanderbilt and then-No. 4 Texas met in the regular season, Blakes and the Commodores walked away with the win, leaving Booker and the Longhorns wanting a lot more out of the game.
Of course, the two teams will likely meet again as the SEC Tournament has the Horns (the 3-seed) and the 'Dores (the 2-seed) on the same side of the bracket.
Also read: Madison Booker named All-American after being snubbed for Naismith Trophy
Texas and Vanderbilt could even meet for a third time this year, despite only playing once in the regular season, as the Longhorns are a projected 1-seed and the Commodores are a projected 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament.