It's always challenging condensing a list of the top 50 players entering any college basketball season. However, we once again gave it a go for 2024-25 season.
1. Paige Bueckers, UConn
With Caitlin Clark in the WNBA, Bueckers has an opportunity to take back what she lost the past couple of seasons. She returns for the Huskies after a resurgent season that saw her healthy, averaging 21.9 points per game. She led the Huskies back to the Final Four last season, and usually, the best player for UConn is one of the brightest stars in the country.
2. Juju Watkins, USC
Watkins returns for her sophomore season after lighting up the Pac-12 in 2023-24, averaging 27.1 points per game. Moving to the Big Ten should bring USC more national attention, and someone needs to take over Caitlin Clark's spotlight.
3. Flau'jae Johnson, LSU
With Angel Reese off to the WNBA, the Tigers become Flau'jae Johnson's team. She averaged 14.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for a team that went to the Elite 8 in 2023-24. Her role and production will increase.
4. Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Hidalgo is a rising star, flying under the radar as a freshman at Notre Dame. She averaged 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. The Irish finished second in the ACC but bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in the Sweet 16.
5. Aneesah Morrow, LSU
Aneesah Morrow, a promising player WNBA Star at LSU, averaged 16.4 points and ten rebounds per game in her first season with the Tigers. With Angel Reese's departure, Morrow is set to take on a more significant role. Her impressive performance and a 46% field goal rate indicate a bright future for LSU this coming season.
6. Rori Harmon, Texas
Rori Harmon, a resilient player at Texas, was playing exceptionally well before a season-ending injury. She averaged 14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, with a remarkable 52% field goal rate. Harmon's two-time All-America honorable mention selection and 2023 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year titles, 925 career points, and 501 career assists.
7. Madison Booker, Texas
Madison Booker, a player of immense talent at Texas, had a phenomenal freshman season, scoring 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Booker's Big 12 Player of the Year win, the first freshman to achieve this, and her titles as the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player are a testament to her talent. The team's potential is undeniable, especially with Booker and Harmon in Texas.
8. Raegan Beers, Oklahoma
Beers joins Oklahoma from Oregon State, where she scored 17.5 points and grabbed 10.3 rebounds per game while boasting the country's top field goal percentage (66.4%). Beers was the World Exposure Report No.2 transfer in the nation this season. She garnered All-Pac-12 honors as a first- and second-year student, claiming the league's Freshman and Sixth Player of the Year awards in 2023. Also, her 32 double-doubles over the last two seasons ranked 12th.
9. Lauren Betts, UCLA
Last season, Betts averaged 14.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
Betts set a new single-game career highs in eight statistical categories in her debut season with the Bruins, recording a career-high 18 rebounds against then-No. 20 Florida State in UCLA's17-point win over the Seminoles. Betts earned Pac-12 All-Defense and All-Pac-12 honors last year. Betts should be ready to produce more on the offensive end this year.
10. Kiki Iriafen, USC
Last year at Stanford, KiKi Iriafen came into her, averaging 19.4 points and 11 rebounds per game. She took home the Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. In a game against Iowa State last year, Iriafen scored a career-high 41 points. She now heads to USC to join JuJu Watkins; they should form a major two-punch. She was the World Exposure Report No. 1 ranked transfer in 2024.
11. Lucy Olson, Iowa
The former Villanova Wildcat finished third in the nation in average scoring with 23.3 points per game in 2023-24. Lucy Olsen heads to Iowa to try and fill Caitlin Clark's shoes for the nation's runner-up. Olsen averages 3.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
12. Ayoka Lee, Kansas State
13. Georgia Amoore, Kentucky
14. Ta'Niya Latson, Florida State
15. Audi Crooks, Iowa State
16. Azzi Fudd, UConn
17. Olivia Miles, Notre Dame
18. Sonia Citron, Notre Dame
19. Milaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina
20. Janiah Barker, UCLA
21. JJ Quinerly, West Virginia
22. Kaitlyn Chen, UConn
23. Emily Ryan, Iowa State
24. Ashlyn Watkins, South Carolina
25. Cotie McMahon, Ohio State
26. Zaay Green, Alabama
27. Mikaylah Williams, LSU
28. Te-Hina Paopoa, South Carolina
29. Deja Kelly, Oregon
30. Laila Phelia, Texas
31. Aziaha James, NC State
32. Charlisse Leger- Walker, UCLA
33. Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
34. YVonne Ejim, Gonzaga
35. Saniyah Rivers, NC State
36. Sarah Ashlee Barker, Alabama
37. Diamond Johnson, Norfolk State
38. Aaliyah Nye, Alabama
39. Samara Spencer, Tennessee
40. Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
41. Alexis Markowski, Nebraska
42. Raven Johnson, South Carolina
43. Ruby Whitehorn, Tennessee
44. Emma Ronsiek, Colorado State
45. Leilani Kapinus, Vanderbilt
46. Lauren Jensen, Creighton
47. Jewel Spear, Tennessee
48. Makayla Timpson, Florida State
49. Taliah Scott, Auburn
50. Hailey Van Lith, TCU
Notables (5): Sarah Strong, UConn; Temira Poindexter, Kansas State, Joyce Edwards, South Carolina; Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State, Kate Koval, Notre Dame
