PHOENIX — There is one logical step for Rori Harmon since her time as a member of the Texas women’s basketball team is over.
“If I had a job in the WNBA, she’d be the first one I’d go get,” head coach Vic Schaefer said.
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Harmon is leaving Texas as the all-time record holder for assists and steals. During Texas’ Final Four loss to UCLA, Harmon tried her best to power the Longhorns to a championship game against South Carolina with eight points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals but it wasn’t enough.
Over five seasons, the Longhorn finished with 1,616 points, 977 assists, 659 rebounds and 388 steals while winning 137 games.
So how could Harmon fit into a league with 14 teams, including two expansion teams this year?
Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) fights for a rebound during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) takes the court ahead of the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) shoots the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against the Texas Longhorns at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) and forward Madison Booker (35) pause during a timeout in the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix.
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A Texas Longhorns fan watches the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) shoots the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) is guarded by UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) is guarded by UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) is guarded during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) is blocked from shooting by UCLA forward Angela Ugalic (32) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) fight for control of the ball during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) is guarded by Texas Longhorns forward Teya Sidberry (32) during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) is fouled by Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) pushes past Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) and forward Justice Carlton (11) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) shoots the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) shoots the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) is guarded by Texas Longhorns guard Bryanna Preston (1) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer disputes a call during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns band members cheer during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) is guarded by UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) dribbles the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA forward Angela Dugalic (23) shoots the ball over Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) during the NCAA Final Four at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) holds her head after a foul by Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) shoots the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) jumps for a rebound during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) is guarded during the NCAA Final Four game against the Texas Longhorns at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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The Texas Longhorns react to a drawn foul during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) shoots the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) holds her arm after an injury during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) shoots the ball past Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) fights for a lose ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer talks to forward Justice Carlton (11) during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Aaliyah Crump (23) shoots the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) waits to enter the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) loses control of the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) rolls her ankle and falls while pushing past UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) rolls her ankle and falls while pushing past UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer walks the sideline at the end of the fourth quarter of the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) is blocked from shooting by UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) dribbles the ball during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) is blocked from shooting by UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) walks the court at the end of the fourth quarter in the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) walks to head coach Vic Schaefer at the end of the fourth quarter of the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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UCLA players celebrate after defeating the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) sits in a hallway after the loss to UCLA in the NCAA Final Four at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Impactful point guard
Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) is guarded by UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) during the NCAA Final Four game at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix.
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After the loss Friday night, Schaefer made it clear that just because Harmon is 5-foot-6, that doesn’t mean she cannot impact a WNBA team.
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Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, who is also 5-6, turned to coaching after 15 years in the WNBA. Allie Quigley, a 5-8 guard, played for 16 years. Both players were more prolific scorers in college. The difference is, the Longhorn averaged more rebounds and assists, which could translate well in the WNBA.
“I think teams are going to need her,” Madison Booker said March 28. “If people pass on her in the WNBA, I would be shocked.”
Harmon can make a pass look flawless, even if its in traffic. Throughout the season, she made passes reminiscent of WNBA point guard Chelsea Gray who is affectionately known as the Point Gawd.
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Rori’s touch passes… 😮💨. To be able to execute timely passes with precision and perfection the way she does is absolutely incredible! https://t.co/MtksFP4G3s
— Blair Schaefer (@Blair__Schaefer) March 31, 2026
But making the pass is half the battle; Harmon delivers her assists with a certain touch for each of her teammates. For her bigs, Kyla Oldacre or Breya Cunningham, a bit more air under the ball helps keep it high and helps it land softly so they aren’t bobbling the catch. If Harmon sees a streaking Jordan Lee or Booker, she can hit them with a chest pass or a cross-court bounce pass.
Her court vision and patience are ideal for WNBA teams who value strong point guard play and a younger player who can learn under a veteran. Her offensive ability should matter more than her stature — she’s scored over bigger guards and lanky centers in college.
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“She’s been getting her shot off all her career,” Schaefer said.
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A defensive menace
But where Harmon can make a lot of impact is her defense.
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“She needs to go to the right team ’cause if you’re going to ask her to play zone or back off and play positional man, that ain’t it for her. Her body will go into shock,” Schaefer said.
The Longhorns did not play any zone defense and thrived on full-court pressure, forcing several five-second violations throughout the season. Harmon’s quickness, and determination to be a pest, were key on those plays and can help any team score in transition.
“(Rori’s) going to continue to guard and defend and create problems defensively ’cause that’s who she is,” Schaefer said.
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The WNBA is a league that thrives on strong defense and physicality. Harmon never shies away from contact and knows how to grit her way on defense.
The WNBA draft is April 13.