The claim that Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s basketball head coach Amy Williams banned center Alexis Markowski in 2025 is not supported by any credible sources, including recent reports from Sports Illustrated, the Omaha World-Herald, or posts on X. Instead, evidence paints a picture of Markowski, a senior All-Big Ten star, as a cornerstone of the program under Williams, with no indication of a ban or dismissal. This narrative appears to be a misunderstanding or fabrication, possibly conflating past team controversies with Markowski’s celebrated tenure.
Alexis Markowski, a 6-foot-3 Lincoln native, concluded her Nebraska career in March 2025 as the program’s all-time leader in double-doubles (53) and second in career rebounds (1,220), earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024-25. Far from being banned, Markowski was praised by Williams for her leadership, with the coach noting after a Big Ten Tournament win over Illinois on March 7, 2025, that Markowski’s “super power is an incredible ability to instill belief” in her teammates. Markowski led the Huskers to a 21-11 record, a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, and a first-round loss to Louisville (63-58) on March 21, 2025, where she recorded a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds). Her emotional postgame comments reflected her pride in restoring a winning culture at Nebraska, stating, “I’m just here to win, Coach,” in her first meeting with Williams.
The notion of a ban may stem from confusion with a 2022 incident involving former player Ashley Scoggin, who was removed from the team after an alleged inappropriate relationship with assistant coach Chuck Love, leading to a lawsuit against Williams and then-athletic director Trev Alberts for inadequate response. This case, detailed in a February 2024 AP News report, has no connection to Markowski, who was a freshman at the time and not implicated. Williams has since guided Nebraska to consistent success, with three NCAA Tournament bids in four years and a 158-122 record over nine seasons.
Markowski’s 2024-25 season was historic, with 16.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, ranking her among the Big Ten’s top performers. She earned a spot on the 2025 Women’s College All-Star Game watch list and was lauded for her resilience despite injuries to teammates like Natalie Potts. Williams’ trust in Markowski was evident in her starting role in all games, including a 91-71 rout of No. 17 Maryland, where she scored the team’s first six points. Nebraska’s 2025 roster, bolstered by transfers and freshman Britt Prince, reflects Williams’ focus on rebuilding post-Markowski, with no reports of disciplinary actions against her star center.
The absence of any ban in official reports, combined with Markowski’s accolades and Williams’ public praise, debunks this claim. Markowski’s legacy as a Husker great, carrying Nebraska to back-to-back 20-win seasons and NCAA appearances, remains untarnished. This rumor, likely amplified by social media, underscores the need to verify sensational claims against primary sources. Nebraska fans can celebrate Markowski’s contributions, not a fabricated controversy.
