UCLA v USCGetty Images Sport
Abhinav Sharma

Ranking top five players in women's college basketball ahead of March Madness

The players you should keep an eye on during this year's NCAA tournament.

With March Madness fast approaching, the anticipation is building as fans ask the big question: which players will etch their names into college basketball folklore on its grandest stage? Just last season, Caitlin Clark registered her name into college basketball history with a record-breaking career at Iowa. Now, she’s quickly becoming one of the premier faces of the WNBA, already making waves as she gets acclimated with the Indiana Fever.

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While Cinderella stories capture the hearts of many, it’s often the established stars who leave the biggest mark on the tournament. So, which players are poised to dominate the spotlight this year? And who stands above the rest?

With the NCAA Tournament just days away, here's a look at the top 5 players in women's college basketball.

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  • Ohio State v USCGetty Images Sport

    1JuJu Watkins, USC

    2024-25 stats: 24.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 42.6 FG%, 33.8 3P%

    At 6ft 2in, Watkins is often compared to the next Caitlin Clark, but she's making a bigger-and-better name for herself on her own terms.

    The sophomore guard has been electric, averaging 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while showing noticeable growth in her playmaking—upping her assists and cutting down on turnovers from last season.

    A natural scorer, Watkins can light up the scoreboard the moment she steps on the court. With her ability to take over games, she’s poised to be one of the headline acts in what promises to be a thrilling NCAA Tournament run.

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    2Paige Bueckers | UConn

    2024-25 stats: 19.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.9 APG, 53.6 FG%, 44.7 3P%

    Standing at 5ft 11in, Bueckers has always been a nearly unstoppable force—when injuries haven't sidelined her. This season, she's stayed healthy for UConn, and the results have been spectacular. The veteran guard is averaging 19.0 points and 4.9 assists per game while shooting an impressive 53.6% from the field, a testament to both her efficiency and unselfish play.

    Despite her decorated career, a national title has eluded Bueckers—but this is her last shot. Expect the seasoned star to leave it all on the floor as she chases a long-awaited championship in her final collegiate campaign.

  • Texas v KentuckyGetty Images Sport

    3Madison Booker | Texas

    2024-25 stats: 16.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 45.6 FG%, 43.9 3P%

    At 6-foot-1, this sophomore forward doesn't always grab national headlines, but she's the driving force behind a Texas squad with legitimate championship aspirations.

    Booker has been a consistent presence, averaging 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. She's taken a major step forward as a perimeter threat, boosting her three-point shooting from 30.6% last season to an impressive 43.9% this year.

    With her length, versatility, and athleticism, she has the tools to emerge as a breakout star when March Madness rolls around.

  • UCLA v USCGetty Images Sport

    4Lauren Betts | UCLA

    2024-25 stats: 19.6 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 63.4 FG%

    Betts, a towering 6ft 7in traditional center who thrives in the paint. She's a throwback big, establishing deep post position and using her size to generate high-percentage looks.

    Averaging 19.6 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting a stellar 63.4% from the floor, she's been nearly unstoppable inside. Few teams in the country have a post player capable of matching up with her physicality.

    With UCLA having spent much of the season as the nation's top-ranked team, Betts could be the key to keeping them there.

  • Notre Dame v MiamiGetty Images Sport

    5 Hannah Hidalgo | Notre Dame

    2024-25 stats: 24.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 46.6 FG%, 40.7 3P%

    Meanwhile, Hidalgo, a dynamic 5ft 6in sophomore guard, is a scoring machine with the ability to strike from anywhere on the floor. She's putting up 24.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, proving to be a relentless offensive force. A defensive menace as well, she topped the nation in steals last season and currently ranks sixth in that category (3.7).

    Her outside shooting has also taken a significant leap, improving from 34.0% to 40.7% from beyond the arc. With her electrifying playmaking and two-way impact, Hidalgo is a game-changer who gives Notre Dame a legitimate shot at making noise in the NCAA Tournament.