Joyner Holmes: Longhorn Legacy

A Longhorn Legacy . . . . Rooted in Grit, Faith, and Giving Back

UT alum Joyner Holmes, the talented, multi-faceted athlete, grew up in Cedar Hill, Texas—a
basketball obsessed suburb south of Dallas. Her roots are deeply planted in the game. From a
young age, she could be found on the neighborhood blacktops, battling older boys, and matching
their energy with her raw talent and athleticism. “I was just always outside as a kid,” she recalls
fondly. “So, I feel like my dad was always pushing me, kind of to play basketball and I was
pretty good at it…I played with boys older than me or guys the same age as me. I was always
taller and more athletic than the people around me, so I used that to my advantage.”

But raw skill was only one part of the equation. Behind her growth was a household filled with
discipline, guidance, and sometimes tension. “My parents were a big influence. I’d describe our
relationship as love-hate at times,” Holmes admits. “My dad pushed me constantly, and my
mom—she knows a lot because she’s been on this journey with me every step of the way.”
As much as her story is grounded in family and physical grit, the forward is also rooted in faith.
“As I’ve gotten older, my faith and trust in God have become a bigger part of who I am. It’s not
always easy, but I think my journey really speaks for itself.”

Long before Holmes reached UT Austin and the WNBA, she had mentors with her best interest
at heart. When asked about her youth coaches, she did not hesitate to give raving remarks. Coach
Andrea Robinson and Nicole Collins, both of whom coached the superstar in high school, were
instrumental to her success.

“My first two years I played for Coach Robinson, and I think that really shaped my
mentality—just work, work, work with her. Collins was under Robinson for a couple years at
Guyer… that helped her [coaching], obviously. When the coaching change happened, it was still
the same role. They always pushed me, and in the back of my mind, I always wanted to be one of
the best women’s basketball players to ever come out of Cedar Hill—and I think I accomplished
that.” It is fair to say the coaching paid off. Holmes competed for USA in the FIBA U17 World
Championships, where she won a gold medal in 2014. Per ESPN, Holmes was the number two
women’s basketball player in the country at the time of her graduation. In 2016, she was named a
McDonald’s All-American—one of the highest honors in high school basketball—before taking
her talents to the Forty Acres.

A player of Holmes’ caliber had dozens of offers to choose from (ESPN lists her final three as
Notre Dame, University of Tennessee, and UT-Austin), but it was bonds and the close drive to
Cedar Hill that made her elect to be a Longhorn for another four years. Fittingly, Cedar Hill High
School shares the same Longhorn mascot as her alma mater, making her transition from high
school to college feel like something written in the stars even more.

One of the biggest influences in the decision? Fellow WNBA standout and Longhorn legend
Ariel Atkins. Atkins is etched in the UT history books in her own right and is currently starter for
the Chicago Sky.

“Multiple individuals that were at Texas at the time that I really trusted. I would say Ariel Atkins
is a big one of the biggest reasons why I attended the University of Texas because I just know
her leadership. She has been a pro since day one.”

Joyner’s first year in burnt orange was what most would call seamless—in starting almost every
game her first year, she averaged 12.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 26.5
minutes of play. “The transition wasn’t too bad,” Holmes says. “But the biggest shock was time
management—just figuring out how to balance everything on and off the court…it’s like having
a full-time job while also being in school. You’ve got basketball, classes, meetings, and
everything scheduled day in and day out.”

Under head coach Karen Aston, the Longhorns maintained a culture of high standards and elite
development (Holmes’ fondest UT memory is beating Baylor in Waco), and it started with the
staff. They were not just experienced—they had been around greatness, and they expected
nothing less from their players. One of the most influential figures in Holmes’ college journey
was assistant coach Tina Thompson, a WNBA icon, and Hall-of-Famer.

“You know, like having Tina Thompson on my staff. I mean it’s actually unbelievable. Some
days when I think about it and like being able to just contact her, you know, now still to this day.
Tiffany Jackson, you know, is the ultimate Pro. Everything at Texas was ran at a pro level.”
After four years at Texas, Holmes declared for the 2020 WNBA Draft, ready to take her game to
the next level. Though the draft process was altered by the COVID-19 pandemic and held
virtually, she still achieved a lifelong dream when she was selected by the Seattle Storm with the
19th overall pick in the second round. Her time in Austin—full of high-level competition, elite
coaching, and relentless structure—had prepared her for the challenges of the pros. Eventually,
Holmes signed with the New York Liberty, where she began her rookie season. The transition
wasn’t without its learning curves, but Holmes brought the same grit, athleticism, and hunger
that made her a standout at Texas. One of the biggest lessons she carried into the league was the
importance of mental toughness and self-belief.

“I think building my confidence,” Holmes shares. “I think just going around, listening to people,
and having my own experiences—confidence is key. And I think that’s something we, as women,
kind of struggle within this league…”

Beyond the physical game, she has remained deeply committed to giving back—especially to the
communities that shaped her. “When I’m home, I frequently try to go to my [high] school…So
just, you know, helping them and being able to [always] tell them that I’m a resource. And [they
can] call me any time. I went down to Texas in November, and I spoke to some of the other
girls…I’m a resource and I’m here and willing to help.”

In the near decade since she has graduated high school, Holmes has learned tons. When asked
the most impactful lesson, she was not slow to reply.

“…Basketball is what I do it’s not who I am. It doesn’t define me. Like, I am like human being
outside of just my job title, you know? So just being able to know who [I am]. Just stay true to
that.”

As of now, Holmes is continuing her professional journey with the Las Vegas Aces—one of the
WNBA’s most competitive and high-profile franchises. Surrounded by championship culture and
elite talent, she’s embracing every opportunity to grow, contribute, and compete at the highest
level. Her journey—from blacktop battles in Cedar Hill to the bright lights of the
WNBA—remains a testament to her resilience, faith, and unshakable belief in who she is, on and
off the court.

rs sports for Texas Sports Monthly and Hook Em News. She played at Boston College and the University of Detroit Mercy, and Is a McKinney North alum where she hold several offensive records and scored over 1,900 career points. Ms. Fields also worked in NBA Player Development and with both the Mavericks and Celtics organizations.