The University of Texas women’s basketball team is headed overseas—but not just for fun in the sun or an international exhibition tour. This summer, the Longhorns will be proudly donning red, white, and blue as they represent the United States in one of the most prestigious global events in college sports. In a remarkable and rare honor, Texas has been selected to represent Team USA at the 2025 FISU World University Games, a multi-sport international competition often referred to as the “Olympics for college athletes.” For the Longhorns, this isn’t just another opportunity to compete—it’s a validation of their growing status as a national power in women’s basketball, and a moment that will forever be etched in the program’s rich history.
The selection comes on the heels of an impressive campaign for the Longhorns, who finished the 2024-25 season as one of the top-ranked teams in the nation and advanced deep into the NCAA Tournament. With a mix of gritty veterans, elite underclassmen, and a coaching staff that has drawn praise from all corners of the sport, Texas emerged not only as a contender, but as a beacon of American collegiate excellence.
Now, they’ll have the chance to carry that excellence onto a global stage, competing against other university-level teams from countries across the world in a format that will test not only their basketball ability but also their mental fortitude, cultural adaptability, and team chemistry. The honor is not bestowed lightly. In fact, the FISU World University Games—formerly the Universiade—only allow one team per country to participate in each sport. For the United States, that decision often falls to the governing bodies that oversee amateur and collegiate athletics. This year, USA Basketball, in conjunction with the NCAA and FISU America, selected Texas as the nation’s representative based on performance, roster continuity, academic standing, and commitment to representing the values of American collegiate athletics abroad.
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer, who has guided the program to national prominence since arriving in 2020, expressed both humility and excitement upon receiving the news.
“It’s the kind of opportunity you dream about as a coach,” Schaefer said. “To have the chance to represent your country, to wear that USA across your chest—it means everything. I’m proud of our players, our staff, and everyone involved in this program. This is about more than basketball. It’s about service, it’s about leadership, and it’s about being ambassadors for our country and our university.”
Schaefer, known for his trademark discipline and defensive-minded approach, now has the challenge of preparing his squad for a drastically different style of play. International basketball features different rules, shorter shot clocks, and a more fluid style that relies on movement and spacing rather than sheer athleticism. That means the Longhorns must be adaptable—not just talented. And they must do it with the added weight of representing an entire nation.
The selection is also a testament to the incredible strides the Texas program has made in recent years. While the Longhorns have long been a fixture in women’s college basketball, they’ve taken their game to a new level under Schaefer. In 2022, they reached the Elite Eight. In 2023, they made another deep run. And in 2024-25, they established themselves as one of the toughest teams in the country to beat, particularly behind the leadership of stars like Madison Booker, Aaliyah Moore, and Rori Harmon.
Booker, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and a projected top pick in next year’s WNBA Draft, was emotional when talking about the opportunity.
“This is bigger than us,” Booker said. “We’re representing not just Texas, but the entire United States. That’s a lot of responsibility, and we take it seriously. We’ve worked hard to build something special at Texas, and now we get to show the world what we’re about.”
The chance to compete in the FISU Games also brings tremendous exposure for the athletes and the program as a whole. With scouts, media, and fans from around the world watching, it provides a global spotlight for Texas and a platform for players to showcase their skills in front of international audiences. For players who dream of professional basketball—whether in the WNBA or overseas—the experience is invaluable.
But beyond the basketball itself, the trip offers a unique cultural and educational opportunity. The World University Games are not only about competition—they’re also about international cooperation and understanding. Athletes will live in the same village, attend cultural events, and experience life from the perspective of their global peers. It’s an extension of the classroom in the truest sense, where lessons are learned through shared experience, curiosity, and open-mindedness.
For the Longhorns’ coaching staff, the logistics of preparing for the event are already in motion. They’ll have to navigate FIBA rules, scout international teams with unfamiliar styles, and coordinate training camps with players’ summer academic schedules. The transition won’t be easy, but it’s one the staff welcomes with open arms.
Assistant coach Elena Lovato, who brings years of international experience to the Texas bench, said the opportunity is a culmination of tireless work behind the scenes.
“When you put in the hours, the film study, the workouts, the recruiting—it’s all for moments like this,” Lovato said. “This is validation for every player who’s ever committed to doing things the right way. We’re going to go out there, compete with pride, and hopefully bring back a gold medal.”
The honor is also resonating throughout the Texas athletic department and the university community. President Jay Hartzell called it “an incredible distinction” and praised the team for “carrying the Longhorn spirit to the global stage.” Athletic Director Chris Del Conte echoed those sentiments, noting that the selection reflects the university’s broader mission to cultivate excellence in all areas.
“Our women’s basketball team embodies what it means to be a Longhorn—competitive, disciplined, and full of integrity,” Del Conte said. “To see them recognized on an international level is a source of pride for all of us.”
Fans are already buzzing with anticipation. Ticket packages, live streams, and fan engagement initiatives are being discussed, and Texas alumni from around the globe have expressed interest in traveling to the Games to support the team. Social media has been ablaze with congratulatory messages from past Longhorn greats, including former WNBA stars and Olympians who know what it means to compete at the highest level.
As for the players, the opportunity brings both excitement and a sense of destiny. For some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For others, it’s a stepping stone to even greater things. But for all, it’s a moment that will define their time as collegiate athletes.
“This is going to be something we tell our kids about one day,” said senior guard Shay Holle. “To say you wore that USA jersey, to say you stood on the court with your teammates and heard the national anthem in another country—it’s powerful. It’s unforgettable.”
The Games will take place in late July, with Texas set to travel earlier for training and acclimation. Their schedule will include pool play followed by elimination rounds, with the hope of reaching the gold medal game. Past winners have included basketball powerhouses like Russia, China, and Australia, but the United States has always remained competitive thanks to the strength of its collegiate programs.
This summer, the eyes of the world will be on the Longhorns—not just as athletes, but as ambassadors of a country, a university, and a tradition of excellence. It’s a pressure few programs ever get to experience. But it’s also a reward few programs ever earn.
For the Texas women’s basketball team, this is more than a game. It’s a chance to make history, to create memories that will last a lifetime, and to inspire the next generation of players to dream bigger, train harder, and believe in the power of a team united by purpose.
And if the Longhorns’ track record is any indication, they’ll be more than ready when the lights shine brightest.
