The buzzer sounded and the Moody Center erupted in cheers as the Longhorns upset the No. 2 Kansas State Wildcats in a game in which the energy and attendance matched Texas’ earlier game in the season against UConn. The main difference between those games, however, was the absence of Rori Harmon.
Instead of being the superstar point guard for the Longhorns, Harmon, now on crutches, is relegated to sitting on the bench amongst her coaches.
In a video released on the team’s social media pages, the junior guard has decided to take an active coaching role with the team after an ACL injury prohibited her from playing the rest of the season.
An intimate moment with her mother came at the end of the video after the Longhorns took down the Jayhawks at home. She shared a hug and a kiss with her family, but as Harmon moved along the court with her crutches, the microphone she wore captured their conversation.
“They miss you,” Harmon’s mother said. Her mom then repeated what Harmon’s teammates said about her, “She’s our coach now.”
On Dec. 27, during practice before the game against Jackson State, Harmon tore her right ACL, ending her season prematurely. In a statement released by the team, head coach Vic Schaefer had some emotional words.
“It is truly devastating, my heart is crushed for her,” Schaefer said. “But this, I know about Rori, she will attack this like she does every practice, every game, and she will be back to her old self in no time.”
Since Harmon’s injury, the Longhorns have only dropped three games, despite losing Harmon’s 14 points and eight assists per game. Thanks to the rest of the team stepping up, however, Harmon hasn’t taken a backseat even as she takes the rest of the season off. This is something Schaefer expected from his veteran leader.
“I know she will continue to be a great teammate and she will help her team in the coming months of the season,” Schaefer said.
During a home game against the Oklahoma Sooners, Harmon pulled the team aside late in the game. Senior guard Shay Holle spoke about the role Harmon maintains even in games that end in a loss like it did against the Sooners.
“Basically, (she said) we need to get out of our feelings and lock in and dig in for the rest of the game,” Holle said. “Obviously, all of us look (up) to her a lot.”
Before their most recent game against No. 2 Kansas State at home, Texas traveled to Waco, Texas to face the No. 13 Baylor. Harmon was advised by her doctor to not travel with the team, nor did he want Harmon to sit on the bench. However, after pleading for help from Schaefer, it was agreed that if Harmon would sit on the back row of the bench, she could continue to be courtside.
“The kid’s a competitor. She wants to be there,” Schaefer said. “She wants to be there for her teammates, she wants to coach!”
Schaefer would prefer his veteran point guard on the floor, but he’s grateful to have a player as dedicated as Harmon helping the team win.
“I don’t like her over there sitting with me, but she’s so good over there and has a lot to offer,” Schaefer said.
The Longhorns are looking to claim The Big 12 Championship, and Harmon is sure to be there every step of the way.
