Women’s college basketball players to watch this season

College basketball is right around the corner. Here’s a look at the women’s players to watch this season.

Hannah Hidalgo, Jr. Guard, Notre Dame

Hidalgo has dominated in two seasons at Notre Dame, earning ACC Player of the Year, two Defensive Player of the Year awards and two First-Team All-America honors. A two-way force, she ranked top-five nationally in steals (3.7) and points (23.8) per game. With Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles gone, Hidalgo is set to take on an even bigger role in the backcourt. She’s the early favorite to win ACC Player of the Year.

Sarah Strong, So. Forward, UConn

Strong was overshadowed at times during UConn’s title run last year by veterans Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, but she remained vital to the Huskies’ success. The sophomore averaged 19 points and 11.7 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament, earning All-Tournament honors. Named Big East Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-Big East and a Second-Team All-American, Strong is poised to build on her breakout season and establish herself as one of the nation’s top players.

Lauren Betts, Sr. Center, UCLA

With Juju Watkins out for the season, Betts becomes the frontrunner for Big Ten Player of the Year and a top National Player of the Year contender alongside Strong and Hidalgo. The 6-foot-7 center is coming off a dominant junior season, earning National Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Tournament MOP and First-Team All-American honors while averaging 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds to lead the Bruins to their first Final Four.

Madison Booker, Jr. Guard, Texas

Booker has made her mark from the minute she suited up for the Longhorns, most notably becoming the first-ever freshman to win Big 12 Player of the Year. She built off a strong rookie campaign by winning conference player of the year in a stacked SEC. Last season, Booker was selected as a First-Team All-American and led Texas to a share of the SEC regular season title and a Final Four appearance for the first time since 2003.

Flau’Jae Johnson, Sr. Guard, LSU

In her final season in Baton Rouge, Johnson is set to be Kim Mulkey’s go-to player. The guard is coming off her best season yet, in which she was a First-Team All-SEC selection and Third-Team All-American. Johnson also improved her scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game and putting up double figures in the first 29 games of the season. Johnson won a national championship in her first year and will look to cap off her collegiate career in an identical way.

Ta’Niya Latson, Sr. Forward, South Carolina

Latson was the hottest commodity in the transfer portal after leading the nation in scoring with 25.2 points per game at Florida State. Latson averaged 20-plus points and was a First-Team All-ACC selection in all three of her seasons with the Seminoles. Now, the elite scorer takes her talents to South Carolina under one of the best coaches in the game, which should benefit both parties.

Mikayla Blakes, So. Guard, Vanderbilt

Blakes is the reigning National Freshman of the Year, and her campaign was highlighted by two 50-plus point performances. She was a very consistent scorer for the Commodores last season, scoring double-figures in all but one game. The most impressive part about all of this is that Blakes did it in the SEC, arguably the best conference in all of basketball a year ago. If Blakes can build off her rookie season, then the best is yet to come.

Olivia Miles, Sr. Guard, TCU

Miles could’ve easily entered the WNBA draft last spring as one of the top prospects, but instead she opted to enter the transfer portal and find a new home with the team that ended her career at Notre Dame in the Sweet 16. The All-American guard will immediately be the Horned Frogs' number one option and is a top candidate to win Big 12 Player of the Year.

Azzi Fudd, Sr. Guard, UConn

Fudd struggled with injuries for the past couple of seasons, but her return last year is one that UConn fans will remember. Fudd stepped into her true form in the postseason, scoring 24 points in the National Championship and earning Most Outstanding Player. With Bueckers off to the WNBA Fudd steps up as the Huskies veteran guard.

Audi Crooks, Jr. Center, Iowa State

Crooks is one of the best players in the country when it comes to playing inside. She led the Big 12 in scoring last season with 23.4 points per game, and her 820 points were the most in a single season in program history. It’s safe to say Crooks has run the Big 12 in her two seasons. The junior is a two-time unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 selection and is the preseason conference Player of the Year.

Zoe Brooks, Jr. Guard, NC State

The Wolfpack are now led by Brooks after guards Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James have since moved on to the WNBA. NC State is seeking its second consecutive regular-season ACC title, and Brooks will be the key to reaching this mark. Last season, Brooks showed much improvement from her freshman year, becoming a regular starter and averaging double-figures.

Raegan Beers, Sr. Center, Oklahoma

The 6-foot-4 Beers is one of college basketball’s most dominant post players. After two standout seasons at Oregon State in which she earned Pac-12 Freshman and All-American honors, she transferred to Oklahoma. Last season, Beers paced the Sooners with 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

Kiki Rice, Sr. Guard, UCLA

As the team's second-highest scorer, Rice played a big role in the Bruins' success last season. Her 48.5% from the field and 36.5% from three were career highs. Rice also amounted over 100 assists for the third consecutive season.

Gianna Dowling is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gmd5738@psu.edu.