Mar 19, 2025, 12:33 AM ET
It is legacy-making time in faculty basketball. What avid gamers do over the following couple of weeks can put them within the NCAA event historical past e-book endlessly. From Cheryl Miller to Sheryl Swoopes, from Chamique Holdsclaw to Diana Taurasi, from Candace Parker to Breanna Stewart, from A’ja Wilson to Arike Ogunbowale, and from Aliyah Boston to Angel Reese, March has been a time for stars successful without equal championship.
However even standout avid gamers who do not win the NCAA name can thieve the display with nice performances all over March Insanity, as Caitlin Clark did the previous two seasons in main Iowa to the nationwide championship sport.
This yr, for the ones regarded as front-runners for nationwide participant of the yr — USC’s JuJu Watkins, UConn’s Paige Bueckers, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and UCLA’s Lauren Betts — there’s a likelihood to win their first nationwide championship.
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Different avid gamers’ objectives could be to advance previous the event’s first weekend, or to make their program’s first Ultimate 4. Final analysis: We are about to look the most productive of the most productive hoping to stay their seasons going so long as imaginable.
We ranked the most productive avid gamers in ladies’s faculty hoops within the preseason, and avid gamers have moved off and on the listing since. However now not on the most sensible, the place Watkins remains at No. 1. However no newcomers had been regarded as for the preseason ratings. Now 3 newcomers make the reduce as for the highest 25 avid gamers coming into the ladies’s NCAA event, as decided via ESPN’s Michael Voepel, Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews.
Come again ahead of the Candy 16 and forward of the Ultimate 4, when we will replace our ratings. However that is the place the ratings stand coming into the primary around, which pointers Friday (11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2).
ESPN
Guard | 6-foot-2 | sophomore
Stats: 24.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.5 APG
The front-runner for nationwide participant of the yr, Watkins lifted the Trojans to their first Large Ten regular-season name and a No. 1 seed for the second one consecutive yr. Her 38-point, 11-rebound, 5-assist and 8-block sport in mid-February in a win over rival UCLA used to be one of the vital superb all-around person performances the game has noticed in a while and showcased simply how succesful Watkins is of wearing her workforce. Handiest Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson averaged extra issues this season, and the complicated metrics display that Watkins charges upper as a defensive participant than she does on offense. — Charlie Creme
Guard | 6-foot | redshirt senior
Stats: 19.0 PPG, 4.9 APG, 2.0 SPG
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Bueckers will likely be showing in her closing NCAA event together with her attractions set on in any case clinching a countrywide championship. She wasn’t as outstanding within the nationwide participant of the yr race this season after UConn struggled in some large nonconference video games, however the 2021 NPOY has persevered to be an indicator of potency this season: She’s one unfastened throw clear of a 90% clip from the road, which might give her a 50-40-90 season, and is tops within the country in assist-to-turnover ratio. Bueckers additionally confirmed an competitive mentality of striking the workforce on her again offensively all over the Large East event, this kind of mindset trainer Geno Auriemma needs her to include for the remainder of March. — Alexa Philippou
Guard | 5-foot-6 | sophomore
Stats: 24.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 SPG
Hidalgo adopted a impressive freshman season via being a countrywide participant of the yr candidate this season. Her assists, rebounds and steals numbers dropped just a little, which may also be attributed to the go back of fellow guard Olivia Miles, who sat out 2023-24 as a result of damage. Hidalgo’s scoring moderate and taking pictures proportion — each within and past the arc — progressed. Ultimate season, Hidalgo’s NCAA event enjoy used to be marred within the Irish’s Candy 16 loss to Oregon State: She used to be pressured to sit down greater than 4 mins in the second one quarter as officers insisted her nostril ring be got rid of, in line with NCAA laws. No clarification used to be given as to why Hidalgo had performed all of the season and the primary quarter that day closing March with the nostril ring, however then it changed into crucial to take away it all over the sport. — Michael Voepel
Middle | 6-foot-7 | junior
Stats: 19.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.9 BPG
In her moment season at UCLA, Betts has change into some of the dominant put up avid gamers within the nation. Her mobility, blended with a capability to apparently catch each and every move thrown her means — just right or unhealthy — permits her to combat via and over nearly any double-team thrown her means. At the defensive finish, Betts is the Bruins’ anchor. She recorded UCLA’s single-game listing for blocks (9 on Jan. 20) and produced a program-best 81 blocks this season. — Kendra Andrews
Guard | 6-foot-1 | senior
Stats: 18.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 2.6 SPG
Morrow leads Department I in rebounding moderate and double-doubles (27) this season, as she adjusted to taking part in with out fellow rebounding device Angel Reese, who is now within the WNBA. Morrow reached 18-plus rebounds six instances as a senior, with a season excessive of 21. Morrow left the Tigers’ SEC event semifinal loss to Texas as a result of a foot sprain, however trainer Kim Mulkey mentioned she used to be anticipated again wholesome for the NCAA event. Morrow had 14 issues and 14 rebounds closing season within the Tigers’ Elite 8 loss to Iowa. — Voepel
Ahead/guard | 6-foot-1 | sophomore
Stats: 16.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.8 APG
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After being voted co-Large 12 participant of the yr as a freshman, Booker received the award outright within the first season of SEC play for her and Texas. She adjusted to the go back of level guard Rori Harmon, who sat out maximum of closing season as a result of a knee damage. Booker helped lead the Longhorns to a tie for the SEC regular-season championship, the SEC event ultimate and a moment consecutive No. 1 seed within the NCAA event. Ultimate season, Texas misplaced within the Elite 8 to NC State. Booker had 17 issues, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in that sport however struggled from the sphere (8 of 21). If Texas is to make its first Ultimate 4 since 2004, Booker should be entrance and heart. — Voepel
Guard | 5-foot-10 | junior
Stats: 16.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.8 APG
Enjoying in her first NCAA event since 2022 (she sat out all of closing season as a result of damage), Miles will likely be a key to getting the Irish again on the right track. All the way through Notre Dame’s 2-3 listing in its previous 5 video games, Miles shot simply 35.4% from the sphere (49.6% at the season) and her assists in line with sport dropped to 4.2 (5.8 APG at the season). She used to be a much-improved 3-point shooter this season (40.9%) and teamed with Hidalgo to lend a hand push Notre Dame to the highest of the ratings not up to a month in the past. Miles’ playmaking is one of the superb within the nation, and she or he fuels an electrical Irish transition sport. — Creme
Guard | 6-foot-3 | senior
Stats: 18.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
In her ultimate faculty season — and primary at USC — Iriafen has thrived because the Trojans’ No. 2 choice subsequent to Watkins. She’s a high-level scorer, and her bodily and athletic skill, in addition to her duration has allowed her to have a robust presence at the glass. She additionally supplies a essential defensive versatility to lend a hand guard the fringe. — Andrews
Ahead | 6-foot-2 | freshman
Stats: 16.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.4 SPG
This season, Robust briefly established herself now not handiest as the most productive freshman however one of the vital superb avid gamers within the nation, a Swiss Military knife-type who has already earned comparisons to Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart. She leads the Huskies or is available in moment within the primary statistical classes, and she or he has already taken over large video games regardless of her formative years. With Bueckers finishing her faculty profession within the coming weeks, there is not any doubt that Robust is the inheritor obvious as UConn’s subsequent famous person. — Philippou
Guard | 5-foot-6 | graduate scholar
Stats: 19.1 PPG, 6.9 APG, 32.4% 3FG
Amoore has mentioned how a lot the transfer to Kentucky and the SEC has helped raise her sport. And this used to be her superb season, as she hit profession highs in issues and assists. Amoore is ceaselessly known as an extension of trainer Kenny Brooks, and few avid gamers may have the ball of their fingers extra within the NCAA event than her. She controls all stages of the Wildcats’ assault. Her Ultimate 4 enjoy with Virginia Tech from two seasons in the past must lend a hand Amoore and Brooks as they lead a program — with 9 new avid gamers — that hadn’t reached the NCAA event since 2022. — Creme
Guard | 5-foot-8 | junior
Stats: 24.9 PPG, 4.7 APG, 35.8% 3FG
The highest scorer within the nation, Latson stays one of the vital superb finishers within the sport and progressed her 3-point taking pictures significantly over closing season (27%). She struggled within the Seminoles’ previous two video games, totaling 22 issues on blended 6-of-35 taking pictures in opposition to Duke and North Carolina. Differently, Latson has been the catalyst in what has been Florida State’s superb season since 2020, resulting in its absolute best NCAA event seed since 2019. — Creme
Guard | 5-foot-9 | graduate scholar
Stats: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 33.9% 3FG
All the way through her 3 years at Louisville, Van Lith used to be at her superb within the NCAA event. She averaged 18.1 issues on 48.1% taking pictures, and the Cardinals reached 3 Elite Eights and one Ultimate 4. Throw in closing season at LSU and Van Lith hasn’t ever failed to achieve the regional finals. Now she’s coming off the most productive season of her profession because the Large 12 participant of the yr and has led the Horned Frogs to their superb NCAA event seed. — Creme
Guard | 5-foot-9 | senior
Stats: 17.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.7 APG
James helped lead NC State to an ACC regular-season co-championship this season and the convention event ultimate. In a school global of such a lot of transfers, James made Raleigh house for the previous 4 years: She noticed restricted time as a Wolfpack freshman, doubled her mins as a sophomore, and has been the workforce’s main scorer as a junior and senior. A key a part of the Wolfpack’s run to the Ultimate 4 closing season, she averaged 23.4 issues of their 5 NCAA event video games. — Voepel
Guard | 5-foot-10 | junior
Stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
Johnson led the Tigers in scoring this season however hasn’t performed since an time beyond regulation loss to Alabama on Feb. 27 as a result of shin irritation. She is anticipated to be able for the NCAA event. Johnson’s go back is much-needed, particularly with the opportunity of a second-round matchup in opposition to Florida State. She has been a starter since her freshman season when LSU received the nationwide championship. Ultimate season, Johnson had a blended 47 issues, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks within the regional semifinals and ultimate, the place LSU beat UCLA and misplaced to Iowa. — Voepel
Ahead | 6-foot-3 | freshman
Stats: 13.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 55.0% FG
A lot has been placed on Edwards’ shoulders in her first faculty season, and she or he has answered. With Kamilla Cardoso transferring directly to the WNBA and Ashlyn Watkins out as a result of damage since January, Edwards has been a point of interest of the protecting nationwide champion Gamecocks’ balanced offense and leads them in scoring. Her quickness to the basket and completing skill stand out, as does her willingness to be a go-to presence within the grasp. For now, she does not shoot the 3-pointer, however that implies she’ll be even tougher to prevent if she provides it. — Voepel
Guard | 5-foot-8 | freshman
Stats: 23.2 PPG, 3.2 APG, 2.3 SPG
Blakes made historical past in her first season in faculty — and she or he did it two times. First, she scored an SEC ladies’s basketball-record 53 issues in January, making 16 box objectives and 15 unfastened throws in opposition to Florida. That still broke the NCAA listing for many issues scored in a sport via a freshman in Department I historical past. Then, she bettered the mark, scoring 55 issues in a February time beyond regulation victory over Auburn. — Andrews
Guard | 5-foot-11 | graduate
Stats: 12.8 PPG, 43.4% 3FG, 1.5 APG
Fudd’s seasonlong stats would possibly now not pop off the web page. However she confirmed she’s in a position to an offensive outburst in opposition to most sensible festival closing month at South Carolina, with a game-high 28 issues on 6-for-10 taking pictures from past the arc. After sitting out all however two video games closing season as a result of an ACL damage, Fudd will likely be taking part in in her first NCAA event since 2023, when Ohio State surprised the Huskies within the Candy 16. But when the Fudd we noticed in Columbia presentations up now, the Huskies will likely be tricky to overcome. — Philippou
Guard | 6-foot | sophomore
Stats: 17.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.4 APG
The Tigers do not depend on 3-point taking pictures up to many different groups; they had been eleventh within the SEC in general 3s (159) this season. But if they want to hit from lengthy vary, they ceaselessly glance to Williams, who has led LSU in 3-pointers this season (58) and closing (57). The SEC’s freshman of the yr in 2024, Williams bumped up her scoring and help averages this season. She averaged 15.0 issues within the Tigers’ 4 NCAA event video games closing season. — Voepel
Middle | 6-foot-4 | junior
Stats: 17.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 66% FG
The Sooners essential extra dimension going into the SEC and Beers used to be the easiest have compatibility. The switch from Oregon State led the workforce in issues, rebounds, blocks and box purpose proportion, and completed within the most sensible 10 within the SEC in all of the ones classes. Her put up presence opens the fringe for Oklahoma shooters Peyton Verhulst and Lexy Keys, and she or he brings successful NCAA event enjoy after serving to lead the Beavers to the Elite 8 a season in the past. — Creme
Guard | 6-foot-1 | senior
Stats: 13.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.8 APG
Described as Notre Dame’s “glue” via trainer Niele Ivey, Citron’s function has persistently advanced as Hidalgo and Miles advanced into a celeb duo. She’s a real 3-and-D — excelling at 3-point taking pictures and protection — together with her major offensive function taking part in to her energy as an off-ball shooter. A lot of Citron’s photographs come off of the catch-and-shoot, and she or he’s taking pictures 36.7% from past the arc this season. On protection, she’s normally assigned to the opponent’s superb wing. — Andrews
Guard | 5-foot-10 | sophomore
Stats: 12.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.6 SPG
Fulwiley has been an affect participant regardless of beginning handiest 3 video games in her two seasons at South Carolina. Trainer Crack of dawn Staley talked right through this season about Fulwiley’s expansion and adulthood. When the Gamecocks want a spark, Fulwiley can give it with each her offense and protection. Her superb NCAA event sport as a freshman used to be 20 issues and 9 rebounds in a second-round win over North Carolina. — Voepel
Middle | 6-foot-3 | sophomore
Stats: 23.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 60.2% FG
Crooks led the Large 12 in scoring and taking pictures proportion this season. And whilst issues did not move as neatly for the Cyclones as predicted — they had been No. 8 within the AP preseason ballot however completed 7th within the Large 12 — Crooks had an impressive season and Iowa State nonetheless earned an NCAA event berth. Ultimate season within the NCAA event, Crooks had a career-high 40 issues within the Cyclones’ first-round victory over Maryland. — Voepel
Middle | 6-foot-7 | graduate
Stats: 17.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG
Prince started faculty in 2018 at Texas, a college she by no means in reality performed for as a result of damage. Seven years, extra accidents and two transfers later, she is finishing her moment robust season for TCU. The Horned Frogs received the Large 12 regular-season and event titles and feature their absolute best NCAA event seed — No. 2 — in program historical past. Prince has handled off-court problems involving her private existence however has been a key a part of making TCU a most sensible program. — Voepel
Ahead | 5-foot-11 | junior
Stats: 12.8 PPG, 4.6 APG, 49.8% FG
Rice has been key in UCLA’s run to the No. 1 general seed, each via her scoring and putting in her teammates. She has recorded over 100 assists for 3 consecutive seasons. — Andrews
Guard| 5-foot-10 | senior
Stats: 22.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.4 APG
Turner used to be first within the Ivy League and 9th in Department I in scoring, plus she led the convention in steals (2.8). She capped off her ultimate season with Harvard successful the league event name because the No. 3 seed, sending the Red to the NCAA event for the primary time since 2007. Turner has scored 30 or extra issues 5 instances this season, together with a school-record 44 within the Red’s league event semifinal win over Princeton. — Voepel
