The 5-6 guard was even Arizona's second-leading rebounder. If Boston proves to be a comparable scorer in her second season, while also outpacing Cunane in blocks for a higher-ranked team, it will be as difficult to evade her in the awards race as it is in the paint. It was during a summer tour of Italy nearly three years ago when Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell first fully grasped what the rest of women's college basketball subsequently learned. I have 15 elite players you should have on your radar in the 2021-22 women's college basketball season. Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA Why she could win . Here's which schools and conferences had the most in 2023. Clark scored at least 20 points in all but three games last season, and she hit the 30-point mark 12 times. 2021-22 stats: 13.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, At some point, it's probably best to appreciate a player for what she is, rather than keep assuming she is supposed to be something else. But South Carolina and UConn each put three players in the top 25. Michigan's biggest priority heading into next season probably should be getting Hillmon as many touches as possible. Named 2021 SEC Player of the Year for the second year in a row, Howard became one of two players in program history to earn multiple player of the year honors. Preseason ranking: 16 In addition to almost doubling her scoring average, Horston has excelled on the glass, grabbing almost six more rebounds per game than she did a year ago. Editor's PicksTop graduate transfer Slocum chooses Arkansas3yGraham HaysTerps sophomore Mikesell enters transfer portal3yGraham HaysRanking the top 10 freshmen in women's college basketball3yMechelle Voepel2 Related. Perhaps it was the presence of Owusu, or that Maryland had so many notable veterans, but Miller flew under the radar much of last season. Masterful with her foot work, use of angles and ability to finish plays, Joens has become a dominant interior scorer at just 6-foot. What could get in her way: Iowa State should be much better than barely .500 in the Big 12 next season, but is much improved enough in the context of this discussion? Lee missed what would have been her first season in 2018-19 with injury, but was Big 12 Freshman of the Year the next season, averaging a double-double. With about four million followers on TikTok and Instagram, the twins stand to make much more along the way. Among players returning next season in major conferences who are at least 6-3, only Oklahoma State's Natasha Mack scored more than the 6-5 Cunane. She ranks fifth in the country in field goal percentage amongst players with at least 100 attempts. Her offensive game has grown more versatile in Oxford, with a much smoother post game and range that extends to 15 feet. Boston's defense and rebounding have been elite since she got to South Carolina, but at times she was an inconsistent scorer. Why she could win: Onyenwere will be the Pac-12's leading returning rebounder and second only to McDonald among returning scorers. University of Maryland - College Park landed the #8 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Women's Basketball ranking. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | F | 6-foot-4 | senior, 2020-21 stats: 12.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.3 BPG. Virginia Tech Hokies | C | 6-foot-5 | junior, 2020-21 stats: 18.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 53.1% FG. According to Her Hoop Stats, she led the country in win shares, which rates a player's value to her team's success. 10 TO WATCH: Women's basketball players who will shape 2021 tournament Cameron Brink, Stanford, F, 6-4, Fr. With improved accuracy from behind the 3-point line and more freedom to work off the dribble as UCLA's top option, Osborne has scored in double figures in all nine games and ranks second in the Pac-12 in points per game. Why she could win: Megan Walker's decision to enter the WNBA draft once again leaves UConn without a clear plan of succession. It was fun watching the lobs her teammates would throw to Smith to tip up and finish at the rim. Arizona returns its core group from a team that Charlie Creme projected as a No. In fact, she has earned back-to-back Lisa Leslie Center of the Year for her elite interior game. Six different conferences are represented in our top 10. Considering how much she already has expanded her offensive game, notably adding 3-point range the past two seasons without sacrificing overall efficiency, there is every reason to think she has even more room to grow. Forward | 6-foot-5 | junior Women's college basketball rankings: SI's Top 25 - Sports Illustrated SI's Preseason Women's College Basketball Top 25 for 2021-22 Familiar faces lead the way, but don't overlook. Propelled by outstanding mobility and an extensive wingspan, she was second in the country in block shot percentage, according to Her Hoop Stats. Howard does so much well. Preseason ranking: 3 She led UCLA in assists and was second to All-American teammate Michaela Onyenwere in scoring and rebuilding. 1 in junior forward Aliyah Boston, who garnered all 13 votes. If all of the talent around her develops to the extent that it could, Williams might be even more the leader of an ensemble than she currently is. Evans is the only player in program history to win four regular season conference championships. If Owusu adds the 3-pointer to her skillset in the offseason -- she was 11-for-38 in 2020-21 -- it might become impossible. Hollingshed decided to use that extra year of eligibility, looking to add one more building block onto a college career that has been a steady climb. -- Mechelle Voepel, Forward | 6-foot-4 | senior By visiting naismithfanvote.com from March 19-31, fans will have the opportunity to cast a ballot daily for the Jersey Mikes Naismith Trophy for the Mens and Womens College Player of the Year and the Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year awards. 1 recruit, but lest we forget, Westbrook was the nation's No. Howard will be on the National Player of the Year radar again as she takes on her senior year. Most expected that Cubaj would be in a WNBA training camp at this point. 2021-22 stats: 12.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, Is there anything smoother than a Zia Cooke pull-up jumper? Drechsel led her team with a career-high 3.52 kills per set while hitting a career-best .280, ranked fourth. 7 in the nation in total blocks. But Cubaj has also pushed her game on offense and has established herself as an exceptional passer. The 6-foot-2 forward from De Ocampo Memorial college will be 35 by March 14 when the draft tallest women's college basketball player 2021 is. She is shooting 57.8% from the field, which includes nine 3-pointers (she made 13 last season). Preseason ranking: 4 The sophomore forward led the team in double-doubles (15). I'm excited to see what else is in store for Hillmon in her senior campaign. When Maryland needed a basket, the ball was in Owusu's hands. Sign up, invite your friends and dominate your way to a title. Women's college basketball transfer rankings. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the mens and womens college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. Iowa advanced to the Sweet 16 with the No. 2020-21 stats: 16.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.2 APG. As a freshman, she was named. Aari McDonald, Arizona, G, 5-6, Sr.: Maybe the fastest player in the nation with the ball, McDonalds speed causes problems on both ends. Smith, who won the Wade Trophy last season as UConn's Paige Bueckers swept the other major national player of the year awards, helped lead Baylor to the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and an Elite Eight appearance. She currently leads the Yellow Jackets in assists, averaging a career-high 4.8 per game, which ranks second in the ACC. Reese's sophomore season thus far has served as a confirmation of that dominance. She posts, passes back out and then reposts deeper in the paint, Excellent synergy rating: 1.165 points per possession on post up and offensive boards, Guard | 6-foot-0 | junior She has good help, including younger sister Aubrey Joens, as Iowa State is averaging 81.7 PPG. 1 player on each ballot received 25 points, No. This is somebody who could really do something like [national] freshman of the year. South Carolina Gamecocks | G | 5-foot-7 | senior, 2020-21 stats: 12.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.1 APG. A brilliant free throw shooter and now a very capable 3-point threat, Cunane's game has grown every year -- and not so coincidentally the program has gone from good to great since her arrival in Raleigh. Joens had one of her best seasons last year and woke up the entire league. Her ability to score in a variety of ways has helped her set a school record of 24.2 points per game. She also managed to set career highs in assists while shouldering the greater scoring responsibility. 2021-22 stats: 17.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 61.5% FG, Holmes has been a consistent and efficient force for No. Ranked 6th in the list, Cambage plays for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. Naz Hillmon put the entire nation on notice last year when she dropped a 50-piece in a rivalry battle against Ohio State. An equal step forward this year and she will challenge Boston and Cunane as the country's best center. The combination of her size and skills makes her an unfortunate assignment for anyone trying to contain her. Seven newcomers who weren't ranked in the preseason are included in the midseason list. Women's basketball's second top-16 reveal unveils 2021 NCAA tournament region names The Naismith Trophy announced its semifinalists for the 2021 Women's Player of the Year award. There are times against the best college defenses where she has struggled, being limited to nine points apiece by South Carolina and Louisville. Smith's ascent to the top of this list has been steady, an improvement over the past three years that could be described as subtle. Later this year, the winner will be presented with the Jersey Mikes Naismith Trophy, which is produced and provided by Herff Jones, leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. 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