Every season in women’s college basketball brings the chance for new stars and standout players to emerge. Last year, fans witnessed UCLA’s Lauren Betts rise to prominence, securing a First Team All-American title and a spot as a National Player of the Year contender. Harvard’s Harmoni Turner established herself as a top player at the mid-major level, while Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles improved significantly after recovering from an injury.
Athletes develop, adapt, and enhance their skills. Observing this progression throughout four seasons is part of what makes college basketball captivating.
Potential Standout Players for This Season
Here are five players primed to lead their teams and become significant contributors within their leagues this season.
Zoe Brooks, N.C. State
In her sophomore year, Brooks earned the ACC’s Most Improved Player honor, significantly boosting her shooting percentages across the board and averaging five more points per game than her freshman year. With the departures of Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers, and Madison Hayes, the Wolfpack will rely more heavily on her. Brooks has demonstrated her leadership potential, highlighted by a 33-point performance against Notre Dame and a game where she achieved 21 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists at Florida State. This season, expect her to step up as the driving force for Wes Moore’s Wolfpack.
Kailey Woolston, BYU
After taking a mission trip and not playing last season, Woolston returns with impressive credentials. As a freshman, she was one of only two players nationwide to shoot over 45% from three-point range while averaging at least 2.5 3-pointers per game. The 5-foot-11 Utah native is poised to become one of the top long-range shooters in the country this season, potentially forming a dynamic backcourt partnership with reigning Big 12 Rookie of the Year Delaney Gibb.
Kate Koval, LSU
After being ranked the fifth-best recruit in the 2024 class, Koval had a strong, albeit inconsistent, season at Notre Dame, averaging 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. She recorded two double-doubles and had ten games with multiple assists. Now at LSU with coach Kim Mulkey, known for maximizing her post players’ talents, Koval will be the primary interior option. At 6-foot-5, she stands to benefit from pass setups by MiLaysia Fulwiley and Flau’Jae Johnson.
Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
An honorable mention All-American last season, Edwards is positioned to make significant strides for South Carolina this year amid roster changes. The 6-foot-3 player, who showed continuous improvement during her freshman year, tallied 21 points against Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament and also posted 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in a Final Four win over Texas. She had a productive summer, representing the U.S. in the AmeriCup and competing in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League.
Allie Turner, Gonzaga
The reigning WCC Freshman of the Year, Turner has the potential to be Gonzaga’s next standout player. Last season, she ranked 11th nationally in 3-pointers made per game, averaging 3.1 while shooting 45.7% from deep, along with 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Gonzaga achieved a 5-1 record when Turner scored at least 19 points or sank five or more 3-pointers. There’s every reason to believe she can further elevate her performance this season.
Additional Players to Watch
Miami has strengthened its roster with transfers Gal Raviv from Quinnipiac and Amarachi Kimpson from UNLV. Kimpson contributed 14.5 points per game with impressive shooting percentages, while Raviv led all freshmen in minutes played and set a scoring record for Israel at the FIBA U19 World Cup. Moreover, Katie Collins, last year’s Ivy League Rookie of the Year, will look to assist Penn in a competitive mid-major landscape. At North Carolina, Cierra Toomey and Blanca Thomas will aim to fill the gap left by Maria Gakdeng, while Bri McDaniel returns from injury at Maryland, and Hannah Stuelke is set for a stellar senior year at Iowa.
