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Jan 20, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) drives to the basket as Maryland Terrapins guard Shyanne Sellers (0) defends during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

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Jan 20, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) drives to the basket as Maryland Terrapins guard Shyanne Sellers (0) defends during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
When Madison Booker first stepped onto the court, she wasn’t the confident, dominant player the world knows today. She was just a kid trying to find her way. “When I first started, I was in a bit of a shell,” Booker admitted. “I wasn’t really showing my skills, what I could really do. But as I kept playing that season, I found my way. And from there on, I just kept growing and kept developing.” That growth didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow, steady climb—one that transformed her from a young girl unsure of her place on the court into a five-star recruit fielding offers from powerhouse programs like Tennessee, Connecticut, and Duke.
With each season, she got better. She sharpened her skills, racked up wins, and solidified her status as one of the greatest high school players of her generation. And then, she reached another level—one that very few ever do. Wearing the red, white, and blue, Booker represented Team USA not once, not twice, but three times. Her latest achievement? A gold medal at the FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, where she delivered seven points and ten rebounds to help the U.S. edge past Spain.
“It’s always fun to see where you stand with the top players all around the world,” Booker said. “It just gave me a sense of where I am, where I want to be, and what I need to work on. It definitely gave me a vision of what I need to do.” But if anyone thinks Madison Booker’s story is just another Cinderella tale of overnight success, they’d be mistaken. Her journey didn’t begin with trophies and gold medals—it started with an impossible task.
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Who are Madison Booker’s parents? How have they influenced her basketball career?
How, little Madison wondered, was she ever going to get a shot off against this skyscraper of a man standing in front of her? That man was her father. And he wasn’t going to make it easy.
Carlos Booker, made sure of that. A former 6-foot-10 college basketball player at Southern Miss in the late 1990s, he didn’t take it easy on his daughter, blocking her shots, outmuscling her in the post, and laughing whenever she got frustrated. To some, it might have seemed harsh. But for Carlos, it was about preparing her for the battles ahead.
“All my life I couldn’t beat him. So I’d get mad and want to quit,” Madison recalled with a smile. “And he was like, ‘You’re not gonna quit. You’re gonna get back up there and do it again.’ And he would just block my shot over and over. He’d laugh at me.”

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AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 16: Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker 35 dribbles up the court against the LSU Lady Tigers during the game on February 16, 2025, at the Moody Center in Austin, TX. Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 16 Womens – LSU at Texas EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2502163029
It stung at the time. But looking back, those moments were everything. Carlos wasn’t just playing defense—he was teaching his daughter how to fight through adversity, how to stay hungry, how to never back down. And sure enough, one day, the little girl who once struggled to get a shot off finally beat him.
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Is Madison Booker’s success more about talent or the relentless support from her family?
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“I think going through that, it made me hungrier, it made me more eager to beat him,” Madison said. “Then one day it came, and I did beat him.”
Now, the roles have reversed. At 6-foot-1, Madison Booker is the one dominating on the court, and Carlos is the one watching in awe. The same lessons he drilled into her in their driveway are the ones she now applies on the college stage as a freshman at Texas.
But her success wasn’t built on her father’s teachings alone. Madison’s mother, Stephanie, played just as crucial a role—though in a different way. While Carlos was pushing her physically, Stephanie was her steadying force, ensuring that her daughter stayed grounded. She traveled with Madison to tournaments, stood by her side through the relentless recruiting process, and reminded her, through all the fanfare and expectations, to stay true to herself.
Together, Carlos and Stephanie created the perfect balance—toughness and support, challenge and encouragement. Madison’s rise in basketball wasn’t just a product of talent; it was the result of a family that believed in her, pushed her.
Does Madison Booker have any siblings?
Madison Booker didn’t grow up chasing basketball dreams alone. Madison grew up with her two sisters, Malia and Morgan, in a household built on competition and perseverance. While the spotlight has followed Madison’s journey to stardom, her sisters have largely stayed out of the public eye.
Yet, one thing remains certain—the Booker family isn’t just home to one athlete. It’s a family built on a foundation of athleticism, hard work, and unwavering support. Madison has always been vocal about the role her family has played in shaping her basketball career.
From a young age, she learned that talent alone wouldn’t be enough—resilience and determination would set her apart. And that lesson started at home, with her father, Carlos. She recalls intense one-on-one games against him, battles that were more than just backyard fun.
But it wasn’t just family that molded Madison into the player she is today.
What is Madison Booker’s parents’ nationality?
Madison Booker grew up in Ridgeland, Mississippi, surrounded by the perfect environment to nurture her basketball skills. With her parents, Stephanie and Carlos Booker, both American nationals, she developed into the player she is today. Basketball was always a family affair, and with their support, she honed her game from a young age.
“I love playing with people who are as talented as me,” Booker once said. “It’s very fun, very competitive. It’s helping me grow every day. It makes me want to work harder.” That mindset has been the driving force behind her success, pushing her to improve every single day.
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Her transition to college was seamless. From the moment she stepped onto the court for the Texas Longhorns, she made an impact. As a freshman, she quickly became the heart of the team’s success, helping Texas make a deep run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
In the first two rounds, she proved why many consider her one of the best, scoring 20 points on an efficient 17-for-29 shooting and securing a double-double with 14 rebounds in the opening game. Not just that, her sophomore season only reinforced her reputation as a well-rounded star.
Over 35 games in the 2024-25 season, she’s averaged 16.4 points on an impressive 46.7% shooting, including 42.4% from beyond the arc. Her freshman year numbers were just as strong—16.5 points, 45.7% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across 37 starts. But, stats only tell part of the story. With every game, every clutch moment, and every challenge she overcomes, it’s clear there’s more to unfold in Madison Booker’s journey.
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As Madison Booker continues to carve her path through college basketball, her early lessons and her family’s support system will continue to drive her. The toughness she got from her father and the grounding influence of her mother have created a foundation that will serve her well as she continues her college career. Her sisters have also provided a lifelong competitive environment that has helped her reach the level she is at today. With her talent and her family’s support, the future holds unlimited potential.
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Is Madison Booker’s success more about talent or the relentless support from her family?