Rori Harmon helps coach Texas Women's Basketball after season-ending injury
By Brian Sweet
Texas Women's Basketball had one of the top point guards in the nation going into the season. Junior guard Rori Harmon was lighting up the opposition with her high-IQ basketball knowledge and shot selection.
Unfortunately, her career season was cut short after tearing her ACL in the middle of a non-contact drill during practice. Basketball players have a lot going through their minds when they sustain these kinds of injuries. Harmon is contributing a significant role for the Longhorns despite being injured for the remainder of the year.
Texas women's basketball G Rori Harmon playing a valuable role for her team after the season-ending injury
You could hear the emotions in Texas Longhorns Women's Basketball Head Coach Vic Schafer's voice when he talked to the media after Harmon announced her injury. It was like a gut punch to the Longhorns' chances of winning the Big 12 this season.
With America watching how Harmon would deal with the adversity, Harmon has risen to the occasion. She immediately became a coach and has mentored Freshman forward Booker, turning her into the impact player she is on the floor.
Schaefer decided to give Booker the reigns at point guard as a freshman, and she has received praise from other Big 12 Women's Basketball coaches. Booker has averaged 15.8 points, five rebounds, and four assists this season.
She is up for the National Player of the Year and will be in the running for Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Booker's playing style resembles another player who wore the number 35 at Texas, Kevin Durant.
Booker would probably not have the success she's having running the offense this season if it wasn't for Harmon's guidance from the sideline. Harmon's presence on the bench has helped the Longhorns stay focused through the tough Big 12 schedule this season. Harmon will come back stronger than ever for the SEC next season, and it will be great to see her on the court again.
One of my favorite quotes from Nike is, “The road to athletic greatness is not marked by perfection, but the ability to constantly overcome adversity and failure.” Harmon has lived by this quote while recovering from her injury and coaching the team this season. If the Longhorns win the Big 12 Title this season, Harmon will be a big reason for the conference title.