2025-26 Women’s College Basketball Season Outlook
The 2025-26 women’s college basketball season may still be a few months away, but it’s definitely not too early to speculate on who the standout players might be.
USC’s Juju Watkins, who unfortunately tore her ACL during the NCAA tournament, may face a tough road to recovery. Injuries like that usually require significant time off, suggesting that she might miss most, if not the entire, season. Although she’s a strong contender for National Player of the Year accolades, with awards like the Wade Trophy presented by the WBCA also in the mix, it’s tough to predict her performance this season.
Let’s look ahead and think about which players could shine this year and possibly lead their teams through the postseason. Here are some players to keep an eye on for the National Player of the Year title.
Olivia Miles, TCU
After bouncing back from her ACL injuries, Miles had an incredible performance last season at Notre Dame. She made remarkable improvements, especially as a three-point shooter, landing 40.6% of her shots from beyond the arc and averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. With the Irish’s season ending in the Sweet 16, she’s now at TCU, working under coach Mark Campbell. It’ll be interesting to see how she fits into the Big 12 competition this year.
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, Betts projected as a strong candidate for National Player of the Year last season. Even though she had to face tough competition and saw Watkins come out on top, Betts still enjoyed a stellar junior year, earning first-team All-American honors and being named the WBCA National Defensive Player of the Year. She averaged 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, with an impressive shooting percentage of 64.8%. Given her skill set, she’s also regarded as a top prospect for the upcoming 2026 WNBA draft.
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
The talented guard from New Jersey had an outstanding two-way season at Notre Dame, ranking alongside West Virginia’s JJ Quinerly with averages of 20 points and three steals per game. She was recognized as ACC Player of the Year and picked for Team All-American. However, with several key players from last season gone, she might have to step up even more this year for Notre Dame to remain competitive in the ACC.
Tanya Ratson, South Carolina
Last season, Rutson emerged as a leading scorer, averaging 25.2 points per game, landing her on the second team nationally. Despite not getting much attention during the NCAA Tournament, she earned All-ACC first team honors. In her final season, she has reunited with former high school teammate Raven Johnson at South Carolina under coach Dawn Staley. It’s going to be intriguing to see how she adapts to a new approach, as Staley’s system hasn’t relied on a single high-scoring player in years.
Mikaila Blakes, Vanderbilt
This 5-foot-8 guard has made a significant impact in the SEC this season, winning the Tamica Catchings National Freshman of the Year award. She’s broken records, being the only freshman since 2009 to score over 50 points in multiple games, including a standout 55-point game against Auburn. Averaging 23.3 points per game, which is among the top stats nationally, she’s now a crucial player for Vanderbilt as they aim for their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Sarah Strong, UConn
While players like Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have garnered previous accolades, Strong emerged as a key player for UConn last season. Rated as the top recruit in the 2024 class, she lived up to expectations, averaging 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and excelling in various metrics. She ranked third nationally in shooting efficiency, notably making 68.3% of her two-point shots. With her contribution, UConn celebrated its 12th national title, and she’s poised to play a pivotal role again this season.
