The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball tournament is approaching fast. Every team is positioning themselves to make a run at the National Championship when March Madness begins. Here are 10 standout players who could leave their mark on this year’s tournament.
10. Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State Seminoles
After an early exit last year, the Florida State Seminoles are looking to make a significant run this March. Junior guard Ta’Niya Latson leads not only her team in scoring but the entire country, averaging 24.9 points per game. She also contributes 4.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists, making her one of the most complete offensive threats in the tournament.
9. Hailey Van Lith, TCU Horned Frogs
Hailey Van Lith has elevated TCU’s program, particularly during their impressive Big 12 Tournament run. She averaged 21 points while barely leaving the floor (sitting just five minutes across three games) as the Horned Frogs secured the conference’s automatic bid. After transferring from LSU, where she averaged 11.6 points on an Elite 8 team, Van Lith has embraced her role as TCU’s offensive centerpiece, posting 17.9 points per game.
8. Aneesah Morrow, LSU Tigers
Even without Angel Reese or Van Lith, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey has her team competing for another title. Senior forward Aneesah Morrow leads the nation with 13.6 rebounds while adding 18.5 points and a team-high 2.6 steals per game. Her dominant post presence makes her a force to watch during tournament play.
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7. Madison Booker, Texas Longhorns
Despite losing in the SEC tournament championship game, Texas shared the regular season title with South Carolina behind sophomore Madison Booker’s all-around play. Booker averages 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game while shooting efficiently (46% overall and 44% from three-point range). Her versatility makes the Longhorns a formidable matchup.
6. Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s sophomore sensation Hannah Hidalgo ranks third nationally with 24.2 points per game and is a major reason the Fighting Irish are poised for another tournament run. Despite the ACC Tournament semifinal loss to Duke, Hidalgo remained productive, scoring 23 points in 38 minutes after posting 25 points in 39 minutes during their quarterfinal victory.
5. Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Tigers
Forming a dynamic duo with Morrow, Flau’jae Johnson averages 18.9 points, giving Coach Mulkey nearly 40 points per game between her top two scorers. The memory of last year’s Elite 8 loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa still resonates, driving Johnson and the Tigers to push for a Final Four appearance in Tampa.
4. Joyce Edwards, South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina freshman phenom Joyce Edwards has made an immediate impact despite starting just one game this season. Named to the All-SEC First Team, Edwards became only the third Gamecock freshman to earn first-team All-Conference honors, joining future WNBA No. 1 picks A’ja Wilson (2015) and Aliyah Boston (2020). Edwards averages 13 points on an impressive 55.8% shooting.
3. Lauren Betts, UCLA Bruins
The junior center has been crucial to UCLA’s success, averaging 19.6 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 63.4% from the field. Lauren Betts delivered when it mattered most, scoring 17 points in 38 minutes during the Big Ten Tournament Championship 72-67 win over USC. Betts will have to put the Bruins on her back if they are to make a Final Four run.
2. Paige Bueckers, Connecticut Huskies
The Huskies consistently find themselves in championship contention under head coach Geno Auriemma. After last year’s Final Four exit, Paige Bueckers has UConn positioned for another title run. The senior is averaging 19 points on 53.6% shooting, adding 4.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. Her 89.9% free-throw accuracy becomes particularly valuable in late-game situations.
1. JuJu Watkins, USC Trojans
The battle for the nation’s top player is extremely close between Bueckers and JuJu Watkins. Last year, Bueckers and the Huskies ended Watkins and the Trojans’ tournament run in the Elite 8, where Watkins posted 29 points and 10 rebounds while Bueckers countered with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. This season, Watkins ranks second nationally in scoring at 24.6 points per game. Despite falling to UCLA in the Big Ten title game, Watkins and the Trojans are determined to advance deeper in this year’s tournament.