As Villanova heads into its final competition of the season at the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) on Thursday, the team is preparing to say goodbye to graduate guard Maddie Burke.
Burke’s leadership on and off the court will leave a lasting mark on the future players in the program.
“Maddie Burke is tremendous in her attitude and commitment,” head coach Denise Dillon said after Villanova defeated Marquette in the Big East quarterfinal on March 8. “She shows up to every practice as if she’s a freshman and it’s contagious. Every day [her teammates] are following that lead.”
Though the Wildcats would eventually fall to the University of Connecticut in the semifinal of the Big East Tournament, Burke’s lights-out performance against Marquette proved to be one of her best. She earned a career-high 18 points with five three-pointers to help Villanova advance in the postseason season.
Though Burke’s presence on the team has become vital, she initially committed and competed for the Pennsylvania State University for her first two years, before transferring to Villanova as a junior.
“I’ve always loved Villanova,” Burke said. “When the recruiting process started, it was overwhelming. I was super young, so I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I also was a huge Penn State fan. But when [Dillon] got the job here, I was like ‘dang,’ because she’s a legend in Philly basketball. I did enjoy my time at [Penn State] and I learned a lot, but once I got here, it felt like home.”
Arriving at Villanova in the fall of 2022, Burke joined the team during a peak period. She joined a roster of influential players like Kaitlyn Orihel, Bella Runyan and Brooke Mullin. Burke also played alongside Big East and Villanova all-time leading scorer Maddy Siegrist during her historic last campaign as a Wildcat.
“I remember getting open arms from everybody I grew up playing against, and with like [Runyan] and [Orihel],” Burke said. “I used to work out with [Mullin] in middle school and high school. We were all just kind of acquaintances, and then we called and came together. My roommates were Kylie Swider, Maddy Siegrist, and Brooke Mullin, and they’re still some of my best friends.”
In her first season at Villanova, Burke led the team in three-pointers made, with 69. This season, she stands in second, just behind sophomore guard Maddie Webber at 47.
Apart from her standout shooting abilities, this season Burke emerged as one of the leaders of the team. Along with Orihel, her longevity and steady presence were a necessity as the team rebuilt in the summer and fall.
Burke made the decision to return for a fifth year while the team welcomed in four new players through the transfer portal and three freshmen.
Freshman guard and leading scorer Jasmine Bascoe is one player who credits Burke for helping her transition to the Villanova program.
“Coming here in the summer, Burke was very open with me right from the jump,” Bascoe said after the Marquette win. “She’s always the loudest on the court. We always hear her. And off the court too. I just know I have support.”
Burke looks back on her earliest days as a Wildcat while mentoring the newcomers.
“Coming in, I was the person leaning on [Siegrist] or [Runyan] just to get acquainted here,” Burke said. “Being able to learn from what they taught me and apply it is really special. I remember being a transfer and being a freshman. Your head is spinning, you’re on a new campus, and you’re with a whole new group.”
Watching Siegrist and Runyan helped Burke learn how to find calmness under the pressure of the lights on the hardwood.
“Every game is super competitive and intense, but look to have fun, especially towards the end of the year,” Burke said. “It’s towards the end of my college career as well, and it’s a really special, fun group. So I just try to make sure everybody is good, and then when I get my opportunities, I take advantage of them.”
Earning her master of education in May, Burke intends to become a teacher in the future. Until then, she is focused on her last remaining games and soaking in her remaining time on the court.
“When I think of coming home, I think of Villanova,” Burke said. “I feel at home around these people. [Coach Dillon], the players and the staff are going to be in my life for a long time. It’s a family.”
