Today, it’s almost impossible to imagine how women’s college basketball, despite emerging less than a year after the game was invented, was overlooked for so long. Well, not totally impossible. That’s the story every woman who’s ever picked up a basketball (actually, any sport) knows by heart. It takes time. It always takes time… for people to realize women can, in fact, do everything men can (sometimes better), but thanks to centuries of well-preserved patriarchy, the world’s still catching up.

But okay, that’s a topic for another day. For now, let’s not stray from what we’re here to talk about: the new college basketball season! 

It’s been six months since the UConn Huskies ended their title drought and cut down the nets in Tampa. That means, now, we’re just about two weeks away from college hoops. Sure, a few of last year’s stars have moved on to the pros, and our 2024 National Player of the Year, JuJu Watkins, won’t be suiting up, but plenty of familiar faces who lit up the nation last season are back and ready to contend for this year’s honors.

The Top Five Players Entering the Season

Lauren Betts

There were so many moments where you genuinely felt for the teams facing UCLA. I mean, what to do exactly when you face a 6’7” force like Lauren Betts? Nothing was the answer most of the time. But have you ever wondered what changed for Betts in her junior year?

Ask her teammates, and they’ll tell you she didn’t overhaul her game or develop a brand-new shot; she simply regained her confidence.

Well, that resulted in winning the Lisa Leslie Award as the nation’s top center, taking home Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors from both the WBCA and the Naismith committee, and securing a First Team All-American nod. On top of that, she led UCLA to its first Final Four in the modern era.

This year, the plan is simple: do exactly what she did but with smarter minute management (averaged 30.2 minutes).

Sarah Strong 

The freshman who didn’t play like a freshman. In a class that was already one of the most accomplished in recent memory, the No. 1 recruit joined Maya Moore as only the second freshman in UConn history to score more than 600 points in a season.

Along the way, she outshone veteran Paige Bueckers in moments, rightfully earned Freshman of the Year honors, a Third Team All-American, First Team All-Big East, and firmly established herself as the next in line of Husky greats.

While you can praise her offensive explosion all you want, they barely tell the full story. Strong was arguably even more impactful on defense. “I wish that people could see how much more there is to Sarah’s game than what she’s showing,” Geno Auriemma said, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

Olivia Miles

This is a name none of you has forgotten. After making the Second Team All-American and First Team All-ACC, Olivia Miles stunned the college basketball world last spring when she passed on the WNBA Draft, where she likely would have been a second pick, and then shocked everyone even more by transferring from Notre Dame to TCU.

Her flashy passes and elite court vision were staples of the Notre Dame offense, with her improving her 3-point scoring percentage from 18 to a scary 40, and now TCU coach Mark Campbell is excited to see her bring that same magic to the Horned Frogs.

“Every day in practice is like a show, man,” Campbell says with a laugh. If she brings that same energy to game day, fans can expect another unforgettable season, wrapping up her college career in style.

Hannah Hidalgo

Miles’ partner-in-crime, or maybe the reason she transferred in the first place, at Notre Dame will sail the ship alone this season as Sonia Citron has turned pro, and Miles has transferred. The then-sophomore had an electric start to the season, and while her productivity and efficiency dipped as the conference tournament approached (the Irish fell in the ACC tournament final), she is still one of the most explosive scorers of the year.

Her impact on both ends of the floor didn’t go unnoticed. Hidalgo earned First Team All-American honors, was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and took home the conference’s Player of the Year award. While much is uncertain for Notre Dame this season, Hidalgo is ready to step up and lead.

Ta’Niya Latson

The nation’s leading scorer. At just 5-foot-8, Ta’Niya Latson has been the face of Florida State women’s basketball and one of the most decorated players in school history over the past three seasons. Despite her many accolades, including Second Team All-American, Latson remains perhaps the most underrated player in the country.

And most importantly, Florida State has not advanced past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2017. That may have played a role in the three-time All-ACC guard entering the transfer portal and ultimately landing at South Carolina under Dawn Staley. With the potential she brings and a big program backing her, expectations are high for some major splashes this season.

For honourable mentions: Mikayla Blakes, Madison Booker, Joyce Edwards