Each season in women’s college basketball reveals the possibility of fresh talents and standout athletes. Last year, for instance, UCLA’s Lauren Betts emerged as a National Player of the Year nominee and a surefire All-American. Harvard’s Harmonier also made a name for herself among mid-major players, while Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles improved her game significantly after a return from injury.
Watching players grow and refine their skills over four seasons is part of what makes college basketball so compelling.
Here are five players who have stepped up this season, taking on leadership roles and influencing their teams’ performance.
Brooks, a sophomore, was recognized as the ACC’s most improved player after markedly boosting her shooting percentages and adding five points to her average from her freshman year. As a junior, she’ll become even more crucial for her team following the departures of Asia Hadjames, Sanya Rivers, and Madison Hayes. Brooks has already demonstrated her potential as a backcourt leader, with standout performances including a 33-point game against Notre Dame and another where she racked up 21 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists against Florida State. I think there’s a real chance she could steer Wes Moore’s Wolfpack this year.
Woolston didn’t play for the Cougars last season while serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you need a reminder of her talent, consider this: Woolston was one of only two players nationally for the 2023-24 season to convert more than 45% of her three-point attempts while averaging at least 2.5 made threes per game. The 5-foot-11 player from Utah has the potential to be one of the best 3-point shooters in the country this season, possibly forming a potent backcourt partnership with Delaney Gibb, who’s coming off a solid rookie year.
Ranked as the fifth-best recruit in the 2024 class, Koval participated in 32 games for Notre Dame last season, starting in 10 of them and averaging 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. She recorded double-doubles in two games and contributed assists in several others. Although her playing time fluctuated as Notre Dame’s roster became healthier and offered more depth, she found her rhythm in the latter part of the season. Now, as she transitions to LSU under coach Kim Mulkey, known for maximizing her post players’ potential, Koval will likely become a significant option in the paint, benefiting from the playmaking of teammates like Milaysia Fulwiley and Flau’jae Johnson.
Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
Last season, Edwards received an honorable mention as an All-American, and this year has taken a significant step forward as she adjusts to the departure of Ashlyn Watkins and Sania Fiegen. The 6-foot-3 athlete from Camden, South Carolina, improved as her freshman season progressed, scoring 21 points against Oklahoma in the SEC tournament semifinals and contributing 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists during her last four wins against Texas. Following a busy summer, which included appearances on the U.S. national teams and in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League, she looks set for an impactful year.
Turner has the potential to become another standout for Gonzaga. As a freshman, she ranked 11th nationally for three-pointers made per game, averaging 3.1 and shooting 45.7% from deep, along with 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Whenever Turner scored over 19 points, Gonzaga had a positive record of 5-1. If she continues to perform well, it could lead to improved results for the Bulldogs, and I believe there’s room for her to elevate her game even further.
Miami has strengthened its roster by bringing in scoring talent from mid-major programs through the transfer portal, welcoming Gal Raviv from Quinnipiac and Amarachi Kimpson from UNLV. Kimpson averaged 14.5 points per game last season, shooting 50.7% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range. Meanwhile, Raviv led all freshmen in women’s college basketball for minutes per game and averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. This summer, Raviv set a scoring record at the FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 26.3 points in matches for Israel.
Katie Collins was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year at Penn last season, helping her team hold its own in a competitive mid-major conference. In North Carolina, Cierra Toomey and Blanca Thomas are stepping up to replace the scoring and rim protection left by Maria Gakden. Bri McDaniel is coming back from injury at Maryland, and Hannah Steuelke looks poised for an impressive senior season at Iowa.
