Convention play throughout January and February has been faculty basketball’s nice equalizer, exhibiting what gamers and groups are made from earlier than the stage will get even larger and brighter in March. And so with Championship Week proper across the nook, ESPN is again with its latest version of the highest 25 gamers in girls’s faculty basketball.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark stays the No. 1-ranked participant, a unanimous choice by our panel of 19 girls’s basketball specialists. However there was a shakeup at No. 2, which the USC freshman JuJu Watkins takes over after receiving 13 second-place votes. Stanford’s Cameron Brink and UConn’s Paige Bueckers spherical out the highest 4 of our checklist.
5 newcomers joined the celebration, together with Tennessee senior Rickea Jackson, who did not qualify in our December rating attributable to harm. Solely gamers who’ve performed in no less than half of their crew’s contests this season are eligible. Gamers equivalent to Texas’ Rori Harmon (No. 6 in ESPN’s December rating) and UConn’s Azzi Fudd (No. 11 in November), for instance, not qualify after struggling season-ending accidents earlier than the brand new 12 months. However Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee is eligible after getting back from a four-week absence due to an ankle harm.
This season’s standing as The 12 months of the Freshmen is mirrored on the checklist, too, with 4 rookies incomes spots, together with beginner Madison Booker of Texas. Notre Dame standout Hannah Hidalgo acquired a large bump since December, coming in at No. 5 total.
A number of different notable risers and fallers included LSU’s Angel Reese, Utah’s Alissa Pili and Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley, as efficiency throughout convention play weighed closely on voters’ minds.
ESPN girls’s basketball broadcasters and digital reporters who voted in December had been once more invited to forged ballots. Rankings had been submitted by ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli, Nikki Fargas, Kelly Gramlich, Dan Hughes, Andrea Lloyd, Rebecca Lobo, Muffet McGraw, Roy Philpott, Steffi Sorensen, Mike Thibault, Christy Thomaskutty, Brenda VanLengen, Brooke Weisbrod, Stephanie White and Helen Williams; ESPN.com’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel and Andscape’s Sean Hurd.
Guard | 6-foot-0 | senior
Stats: 32.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.7 SPG
Earlier rating: 1
It has been a memorable season with Clark passing Kelsey Plum for the NCAA girls’s profession scoring report and preserving the Hawkeyes as one of many nation’s high groups. Her offensive numbers are a bit greater in Large Ten play: 33.2 PPG and 9.3 APG. She has 503 3-point discipline objectives at Iowa, a career-high 156 of them coming this season. A second season of nationwide participant of the 12 months honors appears solidified. — Voepel
1:57
JuJu Watkins scores 42 as USC defeats Colorado
JuJu Watkins goes off for 42 factors in USC’s 87-81 win towards Colorado.
Guard | 6-foot-2 | freshman
Stats: 28.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.6 SPG
Earlier rating: 5
Watkins, who ranks second in Division I scoring behind Clark, is the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the 12 months. Watkins’ 12 video games of 30 or extra factors are tied with Clark for probably the most such video games for a freshman over the past 25 seasons. It is also a USC single-season report for any class. Watkins has scored 20 or extra factors eight instances towards ranked opponents. Her latest 18-of-18 free throw efficiency was probably the most makes and not using a miss ever in a Pac-12 sport. — Voepel
Ahead | 6-foot-4 | senior
Stats: 17.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 54.4 FG%
Earlier rating: 2
Because the Pac-12’s fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder and the nationwide chief in blocks per sport, Brink is the most effective two-way large within the nation. And in keeping with Her Hoop Stats’ superior participant rankings, Brink is the nation’s best participant, no matter place. Her evolution from part-time starter and solid-but-not-spectacular contributor on a nationwide championship crew in 2021 to Stanford’s most dear participant and chief has been outstanding. It is no coincidence she missed nearly all of two of the 4 video games the Cardinal have misplaced this season. Due to Clark and Watkins, Brink won’t win any nationwide and even convention participant of the 12 months awards, however she is the most effective participant on the most effective crew in the most effective convention within the nation. — Creme
Guard | 6-foot-0 | junior
Stats: 20.8 PPG, 3.7 APG, 2.1 SPG
Earlier rating: 3
Bueckers is again this season after she was sidelined the whole 2022-23 marketing campaign (and most of 2021-22) with knee accidents, and the previous nationwide participant of the 12 months largely picked up the place she left off as a sophomore. Her effectivity is nearly as good because it’s ever been (61.1% efficient discipline aim proportion) amid greater utilization, and he or she’s greater than held her personal primarily enjoying the facility ahead place for the Huskies. Requested to do much more since Aubrey Griffin’s harm, Bueckers leads UConn in scoring and blocks whereas coming in second amongst lively gamers in rebounds, assists and steals. — Philippou
0:20
Hannah Hidalgo breaks report for many steals by a freshman in ACC historical past
With Hannah Hidalgo’s sixth steal of the night, she breaks the ACC report for many steals by a freshman in a season.
Guard | 5-foot-6 | freshman
Stats: 23.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.5 APG, 4.9 SPG
Earlier rating: 10
With fellow guard Olivia Miles out this season (knee), Hidalgo has been Notre Dame’s finest participant and a part of an awesome freshman class nationwide. She leads Division I in steals per sport and is third in scoring. The Irish are in a four-way tie for third within the ACC. It is laborious to think about they might even be the place they’re with out Hidalgo, who additionally leads the crew in minutes performed and has appeared in each sport. — Voepel
Middle | 6-foot-6 | graduate
Stats: 23.3 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.9 BPG
Earlier rating: 14
Kitley was sixth in our preseason rankings, dropped eight spots within the December rankings and now could be again the place she began. That displays the truth that the two-time ACC participant of the 12 months was good in nonconference play however has been even higher within the league. The fifth-year senior is averaging profession highs in factors and rebounds whereas main the Hokies to no less than a share of their first ACC regular-season championship. — Voepel
0:27
What a shot by Georgia Amoore
What a shot by Georgia Amoore
Guard | 5-foot-6 | senior
Stats: 17.9 PPG, 7.6 APG, 2.8 RPG
Earlier rating: 9
No duo has been as sizzling lately as Kitley and Amoore, who’ve catapulted Virginia Tech right into a top-five rating within the Related Press ballot. The Hokies wanted time to solidify their identification with so many new items, and Amoore is getting it finished each as a scorer and as a facilitator amid a scathing February run. The Australian has tallied 5 point-assist double-doubles this month, three of which got here on the highway towards ranked ACC opponents. Three of Amoore’s double-doubles concerned her scoring no less than 20 factors. — Philippou
Ahead | 6-foot-3 | senior
Stats: 18.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG
Earlier rating: 13
Edwards has been the hallmark of consistency for the Huskies many of the season, with extra weight on her shoulders than ever given UConn’s dearth of frontcourt choices. The Canadian Olympian has compiled double-doubles in 9 of her final 11 video games (together with 20 factors and 12 rebounds towards South Carolina) and is hitting 59.5% of her photographs from the sector, whereas demonstrating her prolonged taking pictures vary exterior the paint. Edwards’ progress has been a vibrant spot in Storrs, and he or she could possibly be a coveted WNBA prospect come April’s draft. — Philippou
Middle | 6-foot-7 | sophomore
Stats: 14.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.1 BPG
Earlier rating: 12
Betts missed 4 video games in late January/early February attributable to a medical challenge, and it turned clear throughout her absence how a lot she elevates the Bruins into a possible Closing 4 squad. Since she returned, UCLA has gained 5 of its final six video games, constructing momentum lately by knocking off Utah and Colorado in L.A. Even in a quiet scoring sport for her Monday towards the Buffs, Betts made her presence recognized along with her rebounding, inside protection and a large steal on the perimeter with 34 seconds to play that helped seal the win. — Philippou
Middle | 6-foot-7 | senior
Stats: 14.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 58.6 FG%
Earlier rating: 7
The Gamecocks have been so good that their finest participant sat out a couple of video games they usually did not miss a beat. That is not to decrease Cardoso’s dominance. Regardless of lacking 4 of South Carolina’s previous six video games — whereas she competed for the Brazilian nationwide crew within the FIBA Olympic qualifying event after which missed a while to relaxation — Cardoso stays the Gamecocks’ main scorer and rebounder. Measurement is her greatest asset, however Cardoso’s best talent may be her willingness to run the ground and get to the low block earlier than the protection. She’s practically unstoppable as soon as she catches the ball there. Because the SEC’s main shot-blocker, Cardoso anchors a protection that leads the nation in opponents’ discipline aim proportion, blocks and factors allowed per play. — Creme
2:55
LSU’s Reese on hard-fought victory: ‘It was private’
After redeeming its earlier loss to Auburn, Angel Reese (25 factors, 20 rebounds) credit LSU’s resilience in a sport that had a bit extra which means to it.
Ahead | 6-foot-3 | junior
Stats: 19.1 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 49.3% FG
Earlier rating: 11
Reese has emerged from a four-game absence in November to turn out to be LSU’s best and constant participant throughout an important a part of the season. She leads the SEC in scoring and rebounding for a second consecutive season and tops the nation in offensive rebounds (5.8) and free throw makes an attempt (8.8) per sport. Two video games faraway from a 25-point, 20-rebound efficiency towards Auburn, Reese has additionally strung collectively seven straight double-doubles, one thing she did an NCAA-record 34 instances final season for the nationwide champs. Her unorthodox offensive sport and lack of a constant bounce shot have some questioning her capabilities on the subsequent stage, however there’s little doubt of the large impression she has made in her two seasons at LSU. — Creme
Ahead | 6-foot-2 | senior
Stats: 21.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 54.9 FG%
Earlier rating: 4
Few scorers are as constant and dependable as Pili. She’s fallen wanting double digits simply twice in her two seasons at Utah, a program she has lifted to new heights. Within the three seasons earlier than Pili arrived in Salt Lake Metropolis from USC, the Utes had been 40-45. They’re 47-13 along with her. Pili’s footwork and intelligence permit her to discover a scoring alternative within the put up the place there would not look like one. She has additionally remodeled herself right into a 40% 3-point shooter, 15 proportion factors greater than her three seasons as a Trojan. That helped her win the Pac-12’s most improved participant and participant of the 12 months awards final 12 months. However nothing cemented her spot amongst this 12 months’s elite like her 37-point efficiency towards South Carolina in December. — Philippou
Ahead | 6-foot-2 | graduate
Stats: 18.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.7 APG
Earlier rating: NR
Jackson was No. 7 in our preseason rankings however did not make the second checklist due to her eight video games missed attributable to harm. She returned to Tennessee’s lineup on Dec. 19 and has been the Girl Vols’ high participant. She initiatives as a lottery decide in April’s WNBA draft with a professional talent set that’s sturdy each offensively and defensively. — Voepel
Ahead/guard | 6-foot-1 | freshman
Stats: 16.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.9 APG
Earlier rating: NR
Texas misplaced level guard Rori Harmon — who was No. 14 after which No. 6 in our earlier rankings — in late December to a season-ending knee harm. That put much more on Booker’s shoulders, and he or she has responded. She’s averaging 20.2 factors and 5.5 assists in Large 12 play. She is yet one more of the freshmen nationwide making a huge impact. — Voepel
Guard | 6-foot-1 | junior
Stats: 16.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.7 SPG
Earlier rating: 8
When she transferred to Baton Rouge this offseason, some puzzled how the transition to SEC play would go for Morrow, however she’s largely acclimated. In reality, Morrow emerged as an X issue with 16 factors and 10 rebounds for LSU when it practically knocked off South Carolina final month, they usually may need been higher off getting her the ball much more down the stretch. Regardless of having a considerably down month offensively, the previous DePaul standout continues to make an impression defensively and on the glass. Her 16 double-doubles are second-most within the SEC, behind teammate Reese. — Philippou
Guard | 5-foot-10 | graduate
Stats: 18.0 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.1 SPG
Earlier rating: 16
Even earlier than the Buckeyes’ present 14-game profitable streak, Sheldon was the one dependable participant coach Kevin McGuff may flip to. She’s been the bedrock of this system she has helped to 110 wins. Taking part in with a uncommon mixture of intense competitiveness and sense of calm, Sheldon nonetheless spearheads Ohio State’s trademark full-court protection and has been the most effective two-way guards within the nation for 3 seasons. Her steal numbers are down however are nonetheless good for fourth within the Large Ten — and he or she’s by no means shot this properly from deep (37.4% on 3-pointers). — Creme
Ahead | 6-foot-3 | graduate
Stats: 21.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 66.6 FG%
Earlier rating: 17
The fifth-year senior turned Indiana’s all-time scoring chief this season and is at the moment at 2,465 profession factors. Her Large Ten stats are even somewhat greater than the season total: 22.9 factors, 7.4 rebounds and 67.9% from the sector. Holmes has been one of the vital vital gamers in serving to construct Indiana into the constantly aggressive program it has turn out to be. — Voepel
0:16
Ta’Niya Latson scores and attracts the foul
Ta’Niya Latson scores and attracts the foul
Guard | 5-foot-8 | sophomore
Stats: 21.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.3 APG
Earlier rating: 15
Latson is probably a bit below the radar since Florida State (20-8) fell out of the AP rankings, however she stays one of many high scorers within the ACC with 21.7 factors per sport, a smidge fewer than Syracuse’s Dyaisha Truthful however on higher effectivity (43.9%). Latson lately set a report for many profession 30-point video games of any ACC participant over the previous 25 years — and he or she’s solely a sophomore. Additionally of be aware is Latson’s progress as a distributor, as she paces high-powered Florida State with 4.3 dimes per contest. — Philippou
Guard | 5-foot-5 | graduate
Stats: 21.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.5 APG
Earlier rating: NR
Now the fifth all-time main scorer in girls’s NCAA historical past, Truthful has by no means averaged lower than 19.9 factors in a season in her 5 years at Buffalo and Syracuse. She has elevated the Orange, picked ninth within the ACC within the preseason, to heights few noticed coming this season. At all times a menace with the ball in her hand, Truthful has taking pictures vary second solely to Clark on this checklist and always challenges the protection along with her ballhandling means. She’s gotten even higher because the competitors stage has elevated, scoring 23.8 factors in ACC play to tempo Syracuse to probably the most convention wins in a season in program historical past. — Creme
0:23
Te-Hina Paopao drills back-to-back 3s on 9-0 SC run
Te-Hina Paopao lights it up from past the arc to spark a 9-0 Gamecocks run.
20. Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina Gamecocks
Guard | 5-foot-9 | senior
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.7 APG, 48.9% 3PT
Earlier rating: 21
When Daybreak Staley was reconstructing her rotation through the offseason, she did not have all of the items internally. It was solely after Paopao arrived from Oregon that the puzzle was full. The outcomes have been apparent. Whereas Paopao’s scoring is down somewhat from final season, the remainder of her sport has blossomed in Columbia. Her 3-point accuracy has jumped greater than 6 proportion factors, which was precisely what South Carolina wanted. Paopao has taken ballhandling stress off Raven Johnson and freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, and has her finest help numbers since her freshman season. Issues for the Gamecocks was strengths as soon as Paopao entered the fold — and that’s the reason they’re the most effective crew in America. — Creme
Ahead | 6-foot-0 | sophomore
Stats: 14.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.2 APG
Earlier rating: 18
Final season’s Large Ten freshman of the 12 months has turn out to be much more properly rounded this season for one of many nation’s finest groups. She is second in scoring and first in rebounding for the Buckeyes, who’ve clinched the highest seed within the Large Ten event and mission as a No. 1 seed within the NCAA event. — Voepel
Guard | 6-foot-3 | junior
Stats: 18.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 54.9% FG
Earlier rating: NR
Not even near consideration for this checklist within the preseason, Iriafen is without doubt one of the most improved gamers within the nation. Her scoring common has jumped by 12 factors and her minutes performed have greater than doubled. In lower than a season, Iriafen has gone from a participant Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer hardly ever trusted in key moments to a participant the Cardinal should be nice on a nightly foundation. It was clear from her opening sport, a 23-point efficiency towards Hawaii, that Iriafen’s confidence in her function within the Stanford offense grew exponentially through the offseason. She ranks ninth nationally in effectivity and is eighth in wins shares, in keeping with Her Hoops Stats. Her and Brink have turn out to be the most effective frontcourt duo within the sport and have been the important thing to Stanford’s fourth straight, and ultimate, Pac-12 regular-season championship. — Creme
Middle | 6-foot-6 | senior
Stats: 20.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 62.4 FG%
Earlier rating: 19
Accidents have been about the one factor to decelerate the true heart; she missed final season with a knee harm and was out seven video games this season attributable to ankle points. However when she’s within the lineup, she makes all of the distinction for the Wildcats, who missed the NCAA event final season with out her however are projected as a top-four seed this 12 months.– Voepel
Ahead | 6-foot-4 | sophomore
Stats: 17.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.2 BPG
Earlier rating: NR
Beers is without doubt one of the newcomers on this checklist, a mirrored image of the surging Beavers and their spectacular run by Pac-12 play that has solidified Oregon State as a top-15 crew within the nation. The Beavers had been one of many nation’s hottest groups over the previous six weeks however stumbled a bit the previous two weekends with Beers sidelined with a damaged nostril. In opposition to Pac-12 competitors, she’s been the convention’s sixth-best scorer with high effectivity (63.9% from the sector, second finest within the league), in addition to considered one of 4 gamers averaging double-figure rebounds per contest. — Philippou
Guard | 6-foot-0 | freshman
Stats: 15.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.1 APG
Earlier rating: 20
No LSU participant could possibly be as pivotal down the stretch as Williams, whose means to hit photographs from the perimeter may be referred to as upon when the sport is on the road. The freshman — the fourth rookie on our checklist — is comfortably the Tigers’ finest shooter with an efficient discipline aim proportion of 55.8%, whilst her clip from 3 (38.4%) has dipped in convention play. And maybe underrated is her means to seek out open teammates — her 5 assists towards Tennessee on Sunday had been amongst her season-best marks. — Philippou
Additionally thought-about (gamers acquired no less than one vote): Jessika Carter, Mississippi State Bulldogs; Sonia Citron, Notre Dame Preventing Irish; Marquesha Davis, Ole Miss Rebels; Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga Bulldogs; MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina Gamecocks; Zaay Inexperienced, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions; Lauren Gustin, BYU Cougars; McKenna Hofschild, Colorado State Rams; Abbey Hsu, Columbia Lions; Deja Kelly, North Carolina Tar Heels; Aziah James, NC State Wolfpack; Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Tigers; Alexis Markowski, Nebraska Cornhuskers; JJ Quinerly, West Virginia Mountaineers; Lucy Olsen, Villanova Wildcats; Charisma Osborne, UCLA Bruins; Kiki Rice, UCLA Bruins; Saniya Rivers, NC State Wolfpack; Shyanne Sellers, Maryland Terrapins; Jaylyn Sherrod, Colorado Buffaloes; Hailey Van Lith, LSU Tigers; Desi-Rae Younger, UNLV Girl Rebels
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