Following Texas women’s basketball’s Final Four finish and the announcement that fifth-year guard Rori Harmon would return for one last season, sophomore guard Bryanna Preston considered entering the transfer portal.
But only briefly.
She quickly remembered the program’s culture and what it could still give her — opportunities and a team she’d come to love.
Instead of viewing Harmon as competition, Preston sees her as both a mentor and motivator. Harmon’s relentless drive has set the standard in practice, pushing the team to elevate their game. Harmon’s farewell season has become another chance for Preston to learn from one of the best floor generals in college basketball.
“I tried to squeeze everything out I could last year because that could have been her last year,” Preston said. “But now that she’s back, I get to learn even more and shoot, whatever (head coach Vic Schaefer) kind of throws her way, I know she would throw my way too.”
Their relationship and versatility give Schaefer valuable flexibility in having them both on the court. Both guards can run the offense or slide to the two-guard spot without hesitation, creating a backcourt built on trust. Their ability to feed off one another gives Texas a dynamic duo.
“(Harmon) is my partner in crime for real,” Preston said. “We play really (well) together, really fast. Sometimes, if I don’t know the two spot in a certain play, I’d be like, ‘Hey, bro, you got the two for me?’ We just work it out.”
Now entering her sophomore season, Preston is stepping into a leadership role of her own — what she says is an extension of a coach on the court. She helps set the pace of the game while also keeping composure. She brings energy and speed to the Longhorns’ offense, qualities that are critical in the Southeastern Conference.
“I think Rori is fast, (but) I think Bryanna Preston is electric, man,” Schaefer said after the Orange and White Scrimmage. “She’s explosive, very dynamic. I need her to guard a little harder than she did today, but as far as offensively goes, she is a hard person to deal with.”
Last season, Preston made an immediate impact as a freshman, but admits the transition from high school to college basketball wasn’t easy. The speed, expectations and length of the season were jarring.
With a year out of the way, the uncertainty has been replaced by confidence. Over the summer, she focused on expanding her offensive range and improving her three-point shooting, determined to prove to her coaches that she could be a trusted and efficient scorer.
“(I see a) different mentality in myself that I didn’t necessarily have last year,” Preston said. “I kind of was timid, a little bit, a little shaken up because it (was) my first time in college. Having a year under my belt, I definitely feel more confident in my game. So (my goal) is just to go out there and showcase that and help my teammates win.”
Beyond personal accolades, her goal is simple: play whatever role helps the team win. What excites her most is the early bond that has formed behind the scenes, one built on a hunger to grow together. It’s the kind of chemistry she longed for during her freshman year, and she’s ready to help it thrive.
