Texas Longhorns speak: Basketball players share the stories behind their jersey numbers

For most of the Texas Longhorns, there's a meaning behind the number they wear during basketball games.

Sophomore forward Madison Booker wears the No. 35 as a nod to NBA superstar and former UT standout Kevin Durant . Taylor Jones once wanted to wear the No. 41 in a youth league, but her older sister got to Dirk Nowitzki's number before she could and she had to settle for the No. 44 that she still wears today.

Last week, a media day was held with Texas players and head coach Vic Schaefer. Here is what some players shared when asked about the stories behind their jersey numbers:

Junior forward Kyla Oldacre (No. 00)

"I was rocking 44 at Miami but (Taylor Jones) got it so I just decided to go with 00. When I was younger, I always had a dream at some point I was supposed to wear it."

Senior guard Rori Harmon (No. 3)

"I was kind of recruited for my first AAU team, I was in second grade and I was recruited to play with fourth graders. It was a bigger organization, they had matching clothes, bags, all that stuff. I remember I walked in my first day of practice, they lined up all the bags and they told me my bag was the one that had No. 3 on it. So that day, obviously, it's just stuck with me. It has a lot of meaning behind it because of that reason. That's where I started, that is the team that has made me into the player I am today. I played with that team for like, nine to 10 years. It just has a lot of meaning behind it for me as far as just how I am today, the way I am today, person, player, all of it."

Freshman guard Jordan Lee (No. 7)

"It's so funny. I was eight and I lost my jersey and someone gave me a No. 7. Then the first time I had actually won anything significant in track, my hip number was No. 7. So then I had a meaning behind it from there."

Freshman forward Justice Carlton (No. 11)

"I was originally 30. I just kind of got stuck with 30, like it didn't really have any importance or like relevance to it . With my old AAU team, the bigger the number, the bigger the jersey was. So I just kind of got put in 30. But then eventually when I started to get more versatile and whenever I started playing with the EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) group, I got No. 11. So then 11 was just kind of like my breakout season and what I played with at the McDonald's Game and stuff like that. It's just something that has a lot of relevance and importance to me now."

Junior guard Jordana Codio (#13)

"I've been 13 since my senior year in high school. There was really no specific reason. I was 10 growing up, but someone had my number in high school my senior year. So ever since then, I just kind of stuck with 13. Doesn't really have a specific meaning, but I've stuck with it and I like it."

Senior forward Aaliyah Moore (No. 23)

"One of the reasons is I'm a big Maya Moore fan, and we have the same last name. That's why I wear the number, one of the reasons. If you hear this, Maya Moore, I've always wanted to meet her, and sadly I haven't had a chance yet, but I will one day. The second reason is honestly, I don't know. I just love the No. 23. A lot of greats have worn it, and I feel like I want to be great myself."

Junior guard Sarah Graves (No. 25)

"I was kind of deciding between 25 and 30, but 25 has always been my favorite number since I was a kid. I was a Rockets fan, and I grew up watching Chandler Parsons, who was like such a niche player. I feel like a lot of people don't even know him, but just like the way he would light up the court, he's a shooter, kind of like myself, so I just ended up wearing that for most of my career."

Junior guard Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (No. 32)

So the thing was I was supposed to have 15. But my freshman year, 15 was retired by one of the best rebounders here at Texas . Her name is Annette Smith. With that being said, I had to pick another number, like, last minute. So I was like, man, what should I do? I've had 32 before. I believe I had it in AAU and it's Magic Johnson's number. So I said, why not? You know, a little magic here and there. So yeah, I chose 32 for that reason. It wasn't anything big and important, but 15 was supposed to be my number, but you know, greatness."

Sophomore center Abbie Boutilier (No. 50)

"In middle school, I wore number 52, and I loved that. But Rebecca Lobo actually wore No. 50. I love Rebecca Lobo. I've met her several times, so I'm super grateful to know her. I really love her. So I just kind of chose 50 for her."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Longhorns speak: Basketball players share the stories behind their jersey numbers