by Malcolm Butler
According to her coaches and teammates, Lady Techster point guard Joy Madison-Key’s name describes her to a LA Tech block T.
“The name Joy fits her,” said head coach Brooke Stoehr.
Teammate Paris Bradley agrees.
“Joy is a great friend,” said Bradley. “She is like a sister. She is very lively and fun.”
During Tech’s 72-43 win over Delaware Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Conference USA Tournament, Madison-Key didn’t bring a whole lot of Joy to the Blue Hens.
Madison-Key had a very Joy-like game, to say the least.
Nine points. Nine assists. Four rebounds. Two steals. Even a block. And she drew one of the five charges drawn by the Lady Techsters in the blowout victory.
Just like she has done for the majority of all 30 games this season, the Grand Prairie, Texas, native did a little bit of everything to help her team win its 18th straight game and 25th overall.
“I take a lot of pride in making my teammates better,” said Madison-Key, who has two years of eligibility remaining. “We are a team that pushes the tempo and shares the basketball. My role is making my teammates better.”
And that she does.
“I think Joy has that confidence that can really get us going,” said junior guard Alexia Weaver. “As a fellow point guard, I feel like being able to piggyback off of her energy and off of the good things she’s doing on the court, not only does that help me, but it elevates the team as a whole.”
After signing with Tulane after a stellar prep career at South Grand Prairie High School, Madison-Key saw limited action as a true freshman for the Green Wave. She averaged just 2.5 points and 1.0 rebound per game in 2023-24.
However, her ability to share the basketball was evident even as a rookie on the collegiate level. Madison-Key totaled 57 assists in just 330 minutes on the floor, including a career-high 10 in a win over UAB.
“She’s super unselfish, and she’s understanding that if I can do that and play that role for this group, we can be really successful offensively,” said Stoehr.
Following a head coaching change in New Orleans, Madison-Key opted to sit out in 2024-25 and then went looking for a new hardwood home.
It was a previous relationship that led her north to Ruston.
Former Green Wave assistant coach Olivia Grayson had served for one year on Stoehr’s staff at Tech. And according to Madison-Key, Grayson was a big reason she committed to the Lady Techsters.
“The program is what drew me here, and the history of this program,” said Madison-Key. “(Coach Grayson) was a big part of it too. She was already (at Tech). Coming from our time together at Tulane, we already had a great relationship. She was a big reason I chose Tech.
“The trust was already there. Me and OG had a great relationship at Tulane, and I was devastated when she (left Tulane and) came to Louisiana Tech. I had a comfort level with her and can talk to her about anything. We were being transparent and she was able to answer my questions about the program during the process. It was an easy transition, especially with OG being a part of the recruitment process.”
Stoehr gives Grayson credit for helping land the key cog in Tech’s success this year.
“I think relationships are important with Joy; just being able to trust people,” said Stoehr, who was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year. “Obviously, having that prior relationship with Olivia really helped and set the tone for us being able to develop that relationship with Joy.
“She trusted us when we said this is what we want you to do and this is the impact you can make on this program. She just needed to trust that we were going to give her an opportunity if she showed up and worked hard every day and bought into that team concept. Joy really excels when she knows that you believe in her and trust her. “
And excel she has.
Despite not starting a single game this year, Madison-Key ranks fifth in Conference USA in assists per game at 3.9 and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.6). She is one of only four players in CUSA to eclipse the 100-assist mark on the season, with the other three all playing at least 100 minutes more than Madison-Key.
Tech has hit a program single season record 225 three-pointers this year, annihilating the old mark of 198. And although Madison-Key has made only one the entire year, Stoehr said she is a big part of the success from the perimeter.
“Joy can get the ball downhill very, very quickly and put a lot of pressure on defenses, which causes rotations that leaves our 3-point shooters open. I think it’s a dangerous weapon,” said Stoehr. “She brings energy and just a lot of juice off the bench. She’s got constant energy. She’s always making something happen, and her ability to create for others has been really, really impressive.”
Bradley, who led Tech with 25 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the three-point line in the win over Delaware, said she knows her backcourt teammate will find her as long as she keeps working without the ball.
“Joy always has her eyes up,” said Bradley. “She always sees a pass or she sees a cut. I know if I just cut, she will probably (get me the ball).”
What has been just as impressive is Madison-Key’s unselfish approach to coming off the bench during her first year in the baby blue unis.
“I have never been the type of person to take not starting personally,” said Madison-Key. “For one, we are winning. And secondly, from the beginning, I’ve always just accepted my role and played it to the best of my ability.
“Even if I wasn’t playing starters minutes, I would still be the best I could for my team. I take pride in coming off the bench and providing energy for my team.”
A former point guard herself, Stoehr appreciates the mentality.
“Joy wants to win, and I think she enjoys her role,” said Stoehr. “I think we have eight or nine players that can start. It’s not about who is starting. It’s about who is playing meaningful minutes throughout the game. I think Joy knows she brings great value to this team.”
Madison-Key will lead the Lady Techsters into their semifinal match-up Friday against the winner of Sam Houston and Liberty. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
