Sarah Graves does not vividly recall the moment she first checked in as a Texas women’s basketball player.
It came on March 4, 2023, when the then-freshman guard played the last minute of the Big 12 regular season title-clinching win at Kansas State.
“The only thing, looking back, that now I realize was I didn’t even have my name on the back of my jersey,” Graves said. “I was so present in the moment that I don’t even remember playing or really considering going into that game. … I genuinely have no memory of it, which is hilarious now.”
For years, the appearance seemed to be relevant in her personal story solely as her debut. Building a reputation for herself in the program with camaraderie-raising energy and behind-the-scenes effort, her on-court performance was never what defined her importance.
But that moment became one of greater significance this past February when head coach Vic Schaefer brought it to light in relation to getting Graves — now on scholarship and a beloved player by the Texas fanbase — a fifth season in college.
“She’s what’s right about college athletics, and you just don’t find it in today’s climate,” Schaefer said following the Senior Night win over Mississippi State. “I have a great deal of admiration and respect for her. She works just as hard as anybody else on our team, and yet it doesn’t deter her … whether she plays a minute or she doesn’t. … I’ll do my best to try to find a way to convince the NCAA to give her another year with playing one minute in the last game of the regular season three or four years ago.”
Graves said the NCAA petition process to regain a year of eligibility was straightforward because “there was not even a debate if it was a season of competition.” But her decision whether to ultimately use it was not as easy, taking her months.
Early in her time at Texas, staying five years on campus seemed like a distant possibility for Graves. Academically, she had the potential to graduate early due to earned credits in high school. Even after walking onto the women’s basketball team, the redshirting process was unfamiliar territory, as she said no one in her family played sports before her.
Yet, Graves intentionally slowed down her degree progress so she could remain a Longhorn for four years. When associate coach Elena Lovato mentioned a fifth year as an opportunity, she chose to consider it.
Schaefer’s public comments contributed to Graves’ decision-making.
“I think a lot of coaches wouldn’t necessarily see the value in having a Sarah Graves on the team, but him not only voicing that to me privately every single year that I’ve been here, but also willing to say that publicly and take a stand on it, that meant a lot to me, just showing that he values something more than on-the-court performance,” Graves said.
She announced her decision to return on social media on June 2.
Outside of basketball, Graves will now pursue a Master’s degree through the McCombs School of Business, hoping to focus on a future in venture capital.
On the court and in the locker room, as the longest-tenured player on Schaefer’s team, she sets her sights on mentoring the seven new faces joining the program for the 2026-27 season.
“I’ve gotten recognition because of the people that have poured into me,” Graves said. “Now I’m given the ability to do the same to the freshmen and sophomores and transfers that have no idea what it means to be a Texas Longhorn.”