'The heartbeat and soul of the team': How Carsen McFadden has impacted Auburn women's basketball

Auburn women's basketball has seen a lot of change over the past four years.

One thing that has remained the same is Carsen McFadden, a guard from Fairview, Texas who has made a lasting impression on the program.

"She's one of the leaders on this team," head coach Johnnie Harris said about McFadden. "These kids respect her, when she speaks they listen."

McFadden got to Auburn in the fall of 2020. Following her freshman season she was placed on scholarship, an accomplishment she did not take lightly.

"It's just an honor," McFadden said. "I can't express the meaning of it because I've put so much into it. It's hard being a collegiate athlete and there is so much that goes into it."

The program saw a major change prior to McFadden's sophomore season when Harris was hired in 2021. McFadden was an instant fan of Harris.

"I like how tough she is and how tough she wants us to be," McFadden said on what she likes about playing for Harris. "Our defense is super aggressive and we give people a really hard time. That's how I like to play. The best part of my game has always been my defense."

McFadden hit a 3-pointer in Auburn's season-opening win over Jacksonville State. After the game, Mar'shaun Bostic, a junior guard, took some time to talk about what moments like that and McFadden mean to this team.

"We love it," Bostic said. "She really comes and works hard every day so she deserves any shots she makes. There's not a day when she doesn't show up to practice and lead. When she made that shot, it meant everything to us."

Being held in such high regard by her teammates is another thing McFadden does not take for granted.

"It's so incredible they think so highly of me," McFadden said. "Something I really pride myself on is understanding my role on the team but wanting to make a difference as best I can."

Change was a defining factor of Auburn's offseason. The roster saw a lot of turnover and the coaching staff shifted as well. McFadden talked about the positives that came from it.

"The mindset has completely changed," McFadden said. "We're in it together. The mindset of the team is that we're one. We're so tight, we're so cohesive."

McFadden has accomplished a lot during her time on the plains. She takes pride in her work in the classroom. She has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three years in a row.

When McFadden's time with the Auburn women's basketball program comes to an end, she will have left behind a legacy of selflessness and hard work. That's what being a teammate is all about.

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