Madisen Skinner is shining brighter than ever on the volleyball scene, especially after earning her spot on the 2024 U.S. national team for the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League. And honestly, if you’ve seen her play, it’s no surprise. But her journey isn’t just about spiking balls and breaking records—it’s also rooted in a family full of stars. Madisen grew up in a home filled with love, laughter, and sports, thanks to her dad, Brian Skinner, a former NBA pro, and her sister Avery, who’s making waves as a pro volleyball player too.

Brian and Rebecca Skinner weren’t just a couple—they were a power couple, the kind of love story everyone roots for. Brian, ever the gentleman, managed to keep his NBA fame free from drama, steering clear of scandals and reserving his heart for Rebecca, the woman who had captured it all those years ago. Together, they built a marriage that inspired young couples everywhere. But life had its twists—the Skinners eventually parted ways. Despite their separation, the strong bond Madisen shares with her father remains unshaken and as solid as ever.

Madisen Skinner and her dad!

According to a recent ESPN report, Madi’s parents parted ways in 2003, when she was just 2 years old. But even with the split, the family ties held strong. Little Madi and her sister Avery still made it a priority to cheer on their dad from the sidelines, traveling to his games and sitting courtside with boundless energy, screaming their hearts out for him. After the final buzzer, they’d wait for Brian, and the trio would head out for those late-night dinners that turned post-game moments into cherished memories.

While Brian and Rebecca enjoyed a happy and serene life before their divorce, the surprising beauty of their story is how that foundation stayed unshaken even after their separation. Madi’s dad, Brian, was an NBA player, and even before Madi could remember anything, her mom was already on the move, hauling her and her older sister Avery all over the country to watch him ball out on the court.

Brian was a forward center from Baylor University who measured 6’9 and weighed 255 pounds. To the Los Angeles Clippers went the first-round pick of the 1998 NBA Draft and he became the 22nd man to be selected. He was drafted into the NBA and over the years has been with the Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, and the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Italian team of Benetton Treviso.

But let’s bring it back to Madisen Skinner. No matter what life threw at her—whether it was her parents’ divorce or any of the other curveballs—nothing could slow her down. She rose to fame with an unshakable drive, fueled by the unwavering support of both of her parents.

Skinner to the top!

Madisen Skinner’s season has had its fair share of challenges, but she’s proven time and again she can handle it. Back in September, things weren’t clicking—she was doing everything right, but her passing game was a mess. “The ball comes off funky,” she said, feeling frustrated. Texas, the preseason No. 1, had already dropped three games, and her stats were far from ideal. But during practice, Associate Head Coach David Hunt noticed her arms jerking before the ball hit, throwing off her whole rhythm. “If I don’t even know what my body is doing, how can I fix it?” she wondered.

A few days later, it got worse when she realized Coach Elliott had kept her out of six rotations during a scrimmage. Madisen was hurt and confused, asking herself, “Why didn’t anybody tell me?” But she didn’t back down. She stayed late after practice, serving ball after ball, determined to work through it. The next day, Coach Hunt cleared things up, explaining that Coach Elliott had wanted to talk but their schedules were off. “We should have,” Hunt admitted. “You’re 100% right.”

Then came her big bounce back. Against Tennessee, Madisen went off, helping Texas sweep the Vols with a .429 hitting percentage and 12 kills. The Longhorns weren’t messing around, posting their highest hitting percentage since 2012. And when November rolled around, things started clicking for Texas. With Skinner leading the charge, they turned a three-game losing streak into a four-game road win streak, sweeping teams like Auburn and Alabama. Madisen was on fire, hitting .440 and earning SEC co-offensive Player of the Week honors after a massive 21 kills against Oklahoma. Talk about a comeback!