Is This The Greatest Women’s Basketball Class to Date?
In the early chapters of this college basketball season, the talk across the college basketball world has swiftly shifted to the freshmen taking center stage in the NCAA.
Sure, it’s too early to carve out their legacies, but the way these young guns are making an impact and carrying themselves on the court is sparking conversations that’ll echo for seasons to come. The great debate on classes may have to wait another 20 years, but it does raise eyebrows.
Without hesitation, we acknowledge that there have been some outstanding classes in years past. One of the standout classes in recent memory is the 2020 class.
Highlighted by prominent names like Caitlin Clark (Iowa), Paige Bueckers (UConn), Cameron Brink (Stanford), and Angel Reese (LSU). These players have already made a significant impact in their NCAA careers, further solidifying the reputation of the 2020 class in collegiate basketball history.
Who are the newcomers?
Freshmen are stealing the show. The season has kicked off with dazzling performances from the top two high school recruits. USC’s Juju Watkins and LSU’s Mikaylah Williams, both living up to their pre-season rankings.
Watkins (Ranked 1 by Hoopgurlz) has set the court ablaze with an impressive five 30-point games, securing her position as the second-highest scorer in the NCAA, averaging 27.3 points per game.
Meanwhile, Williams (Ranked 2 Hoopgurlz) left a cornerstone early in the season with a remarkable 42-point game. Her seamless transition to college court has started with an average of 18.2 points per game contributing to an already deep LSU team.
The athleticism and poise of this young group does not stop there. Another standout is Milaysia Fulwiley (Ranked 13 by HoopGurlz) from South Carolina. Fulwiley’s on-court artistry has captured the attention of fans nationwide, with a particular play on opening night in Paris that left basketball legends like Kevin Durant and Magic Johnson in awe.
Freshman BREAKOUT Star Milaysia Fulwiley Interview After 6 South Carolina STOMPS 10 Notre Dame | Image Women HoopingYouTube
On the other side of the court in Paris was Hannah Hidalgo (Ranked 13th by Hoopgurlz) of Notre Dame University. She has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Over eight games, she has showcased an impressive offensive game, averaging 23.6 points. Her defensive side has been the most impressive, leading the country with an average of 6.1 steals per game, according to NCAA.com.
More Freshman Mentions
Taliah Scott (Ranked 11 by Hoopgurlz) of the University of Arkansas earned her fourth consecutive SEC Freshman of the Week honors, the conference announced on Tuesday. She is averaging 23.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Zoe Brooks (Ranked 9 by HoopGurlz) of North Carolina State University recorded a triple-double on Sunday, December 10th the second in school history, in a win.
Audi Crooks (Ranked 57 by HoopGurlz) of Iowa State is leading her team in scoring with 16.1 points per game.
Kailey Woolston (Not Ranked by HoopGurlz) of BYU is currently second on the team in scoring at 15.1 points per game, and she’s shooting 54.24% from 3-point range, which currently ranks in the NCAA (per NCAA.com).
Madison Booker (Ranked 12th by HoopGurlz) of Texas, Booker proved a pivotal role in the upset win over UConn on December 3rd. Where she contributed 20 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds.
Recognizing that not every freshman is taking the statistical lead for their teams is important. it will be a game of growth and patience things take time. Ranked or un-ranked these women are creating more moments and journeys for fans to follow. The list of these freshman could go on and on, and the potential impact of these emerging talents in the game.
As the season progresses, it will likely uncover more names, including ones we have not even mentioned. While the debate for Freshman of the Year conversation is ongoing. Witness the brilliance of the hoops played so far and the unfolding suspense in the rest of the season.
Seattle and Grand Canyon will be leaving the Western Athletic Conference and moving to the West Coast Conference starting July 2025.
The nine current members of the conference are private universities with a religious affiliation. Seattle is a Jesuit institution, while Grand Canyon, situated in Phoenix, is a Christian college.
Grand Canyon’s basketball achievements were a significant factor in attracting WCC commissioner Stu Jackson. The team has participated in the last two NCAA Tournaments and three of the previous four under the leadership of coach Bryce Drew.
As the 12th-seeded Antelopes defeated fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s before losing to Alabama in the tournament this season.
Saint Mary’s is currently a member of the West Coast Conference.
The WCC, while also integrating Oregon State and Washington State this autumn (excluding football), will expand from 11 to 13 members by the 2025-26 season.
The future beyond 2026 looks uncertain, with Oregon State and Washington State appearing unlikely to continue with the WCC.
The former Pac-12 schools are under a two-year contract, expiring on June 30, 2026. Sources from CBS Sports suggest that the odds of the two Pacific Northwest institutions staying are slim, with a move to the Mountain West or a new conference formation being more probable.
Following the departures of Sam Houston and New Mexico State last year, Seattle and Grand Canyon’s exit from the WAC will reduce the conference’s membership to just eight by July 2025.
Ex-Cal State Fullerton G Max Jones Commits to Kansas State
Kansas State adds athletic wing in left-handed shooter Max Jones
Former guard of Cal State Fullerton Max Jones has made a decision to join Kansas State for his upcoming collegiate season, according to reports.
Notable alternatives that Jones purportedly pondered were New Mexico, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Florida Atlantic, and Loyola Chicago.
During the previous season with the Titans, Jones maintained an average of 15.3 points and 3.0 rebounds across 24 games, in which he started 21. He secured the second-highest scoring position within the team, alongside being the second in 3-pointers with 42 baskets and 41 steals.
In the season prior, Jones held an average of 12.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 32 games, amassing 34 three-pointers and 30 steals.
Before making his way to Cal State Fullerton post the 2021-22 season, Jones spent two years at Division II Tampa, where he managed to achieve an average of 21.9 points across 21 games during his sophomore year with the Spartans.
In the recent offseason, Kansas State acquired Dug McDaniel, a former player from Michigan recognized as one of the premier point guards available in this year’s transfer portal.
Stanford Names Basketball Court in Honor of Tara VanDerveer
View From The Top with Tara VanDerveer, Former Coach of Stanford Women’s Basketball
Tara VanDerveer’s legacy at Stanford will now be visibly acknowledged, with the school revealing on Thursday that the basketball arena’s floor will bear the name of the esteemed Hall of Fame coach.
At the age of 70, VanDerveer stepped down following her 38th season at the helm of the Cardinal.
She steered Stanford to 14 Final Fours and secured three national championships (1990, 1992, 2021). VanDerveer embarked on her coaching journey at Idaho (1978-80) and later coached at Ohio State (1980-85).
In January, she surpassed Mike Krzyzewski to clinch the title of the most successful college basketball coach in history, across both men’s and women’s teams. VanDerveer concluded with a remarkable 1,216-271 record, boasting a 1,064-220 tally with the Cardinal.
Alongside the unveiling of the Tara VanDerveer Court at Maples Pavilion this November, Stanford also established an endowed position in women’s basketball for an assistant coach in VanDerveer’s honor.
VanDerveer said in a statement, “This endowment will go a long way to strengthening the future of Stanford women’s basketball. I have many wonderful memories of leading the women’s basketball program at Maples Pavilion.”
“It’s an honor, and a little surreal, to know that my name will be linked to both in these ways, and I look forward to celebrating with all our fans this fall.”
Last month, Stanford appointed Kate Paye, one of VanDerveer’s longtime assistant coaches who played for the Cardinal from 1991-95 and began coaching under VanDerveer in 2007, as the new head coach.
