For a while now, Madison Booker has been a fan of Kevin Durant’s line of Nike signature shoes.
Booker’s first pair of KDs were blue 8s. That was back in elementary school, and the Mississippi native conceded those shoes more about “a fit,” or outfit, than basketball.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) wears the Nike KD19 shoes in the second half as the Texas Longhorns play the Missouri State Bears in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Moody Center in Austin, March 20, 2026. Texas won the game 87-45.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
On Friday, though, Booker wore a new pair of KDs to work. A junior forward for Texas women’s basketball, Booker debuted the “Orange Crush” version of the KD19s during UT’s 87-45 win over Missouri State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I really can’t put it into words but it still feels surreal to wear my favorite player’s shoes,” Booker said. “Honestly, it’s still surreal. I can’t believe that happened. I’m just happy to represent the brand now.”
More: The A-B-C’s of Austin’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament games
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It was announced earlier this month that Durant and Nike had entered into a NIL program with Texas, a school where the 16-time NBA all-star shined during the 2006-07 season. As part of that program, Booker was signed to become “the first athlete to receive access to KD (player-exclusive shoes), apparel, and more.”Â
So on Friday, Booker took to the court in some bright-orange sneakers that were noticeable from the worst seats in Moody Center. Earlier this week, Durant wore red and yellow iterations of the KD19s during Houston Rockets’ games. The KD19s won’t be available to the public until June.
“I told her, ‘I need 12 more pairs (for the team) because they’re so insane,'” UT senior guard Sarah Graves said. “We went to the Houston Rockets game this week and saw KD debut them. I think it’s the best shoe in the market.”
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) leaps for a rebound in the second half as the Texas Longhorns play the Missouri State Bears in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Moody Center in Austin, March 20, 2026. Texas won the game 87-45.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
What did Madison Booker’s teammate think of her new shoes?
Booker got her first look at her KD19s earlier this month. That’s a good thing since Booker said that Texas coach Vic Schaefer believes players should have at least two weeks to break in a new pair of shoes.
After playing 27 minutes against Missouri State, Booker reported that she felt good in her new footwear. Booker appeared momentarily hobbled in the fourth quarter, but she later blamed a bad step instead of her new shoes.
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More: See photos of Texas’ March Madness game against Missouri State
Stylistically, Booker believes these may be the best of Durant’s signature shoes. She liked them more than the KD6s and KD7s she had formerly admired and the KD18s she had been wearing on the court.
And what did her teammates think? One of the team’s biggest lovers of shoes, senior Rori Harmon gave her stamp of approval. Sophomore Bryanna Preston espoused that “to see Book have them on her feet, that’s so dope.” Even freshman Aaliyah Crump, who signed a NIL deal with New Balance in December 2023, liked what she saw.
“I think it’s really cool,” Crump said. “I mean, her hard work is paying off. She’s a great human being, so she deserves it. I think it’s really cool the partnership between her and Kevin Durant.”
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Texas Longhorns guard Ashton Judd (21) runs back to defend in the second half as the Texas Longhorns play the Missouri State Bears in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Moody Center in Austin, March 20, 2026. Texas won the game 87-45.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
With new shoes, Madison Booker and Texas thump Missouri State
So look good, play good? With new shoes on her feet, Booker scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the lopsided win. The first three-time AP All-American in UT’s history, Booker made four of her eight shots and five of her six free throws.
Booker was one of four Longhorns to score at least 10 points against Missouri State as Jordan Lee, Kyla Oldacre and Preston respectively added 19, 15 and 10 points. Texas forced 19 turnovers and helped Missouri State to a 28.6 shooting percentage, but the Longhorns weren’t pleased afterwards with a third quarter that saw the Lady Bears score 22 points.
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“We definitely could have did better,” Booker said. “I think they came in prepared, and they played hard. They’re a good team, that’s why they’re in the tournament. But I really do think that we still have some things to clean up.”
More: Bracket predictions for UConn, Texas women’s basketball in March Madness
With the victory, Texas (32-3) advances to face Oregon (23-12) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Ducks recorded a 70-60 win Friday over Virginia Tech in their first-round game at Moody Center. Texas and Oregon are respectively the No. 1 and No. 8 seeds in the “Fort Worth 3” section of the NCAA Tournament’s bracket.
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