As we reach the middle of January, the NCAAW season is having one of its most exciting and parity-filled seasons in recent years. While some teams have clearly established themselves a head of the rest of the pack, some notable injuries and other issues have brought some typical power teams down to the size. Here we name some of the top 25 players (so far) this season in Women’s college basketball.
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Aliyah Boston- South Carolina
Right now, Boston would be the front runner for National Player of the Year and to be frank, it’s not even close. She is currently having a streak of 11 straight double-doubles, breaking the double-double streak of South Carolina Legend and WNBA MVP A’Ja Wilson.
NaLyssa Smith- Baylor
The outstanding senior for the Baylor Bears in currently averaging a double-double and third in country at 12.3 rebounds a game. She is one of the most versatile players in the country and could be the 2022 WNBA #1 pick come April.
Mackenzie Holmes- Indiana
Currently she is out with a knee injury, but she is expected back soon for the Hoosiers. Before she went out, Holmes was arguably putting herself in the running for Big Ten Player of the Year. She is nearly impossible to stop with two feet in the paint and has added a consistent outside shot to her game.
Nia Clouden- Michigan State
Nia Clouden has been about as steady as can be for the Spartans this season. She has a hand in just about everything MSU does on the offensive side of the ball. She is currently in the top 10 nationally scoring an average of 21.4 points a game.
Caitlin Clark- Iowa
The leading scorer in the nation at 25.2 points a game and she puts on a show each and every time she steps onto the court. However, not only does she score, but she can rebound, pass the ball, and even get blocked shots. She multiple times has been in near-triple double range this season.
Elizabeth Kitley- Virginia Tech
Kitley is averaging a double-double this season and has produced multiple 30+ games so far this season. At 6’6, she is one of the most difficult matchups for opposing teams in all of the country.
Naz Hillmon- Michigan
Simply put, Hillmon is almost impossible to stop around the basket. She is one of the best at getting and holding her position to secure the ball and go up strong and finish. Naz will have a hand in any future and continuous success that Michigan has the rest of the season.
Rhyne Howard- Kentucky
Rhyne Howard came into this season with the expectation of being the top WNBA pick come April and she has lived up to that hype. Averaging just under 19 points a game, Howard remains one of the most productive players and best all-around skillsets in the country.
Ashley Joens- Iowa State
Ashley just knows how to score the basketball. She has no issue getting physical inside the paint, fighting for rebounds, finishing through contact and then can break her opponent’s back by stepping out and getting hot from outside the arc. A ticket-selling type of player.
Haley Jones- Stanford
Haley Jones has kept up her high-level play this season after leading her team to a National Title last season. She has been asked to play almost all five positions on the court and has done so productively. If Stanford wants to be in the running for back-to-back titles, Haley Jones elite-level play will be a great place to start.
Ayoka Lee- Kansas State
The 6’6 Junior Center has exploded onto the national scene this season. She is currently averaging a double-double and putting up eye-popping numbers such as 38 points against Iowa State and a 43-point outburst to kick off the season against Central Arkansas.
Elissa Cunane- NC State
No pun intended but Cunane has been at the center of everything that the Wolfpack does on both sides of the ball. She is averaging a team-high 14.1 points and is the anchor for the team on defense. Elissa’s high level play will need to continue as the Wolfpack looks to power into the post season.
Shakira Austin- Ole Miss
Austin’s tremendous versatile and effective play this season has helped her rocket up WNBA draft boards. She is currently leading her team in Points, rebounds, steals and blocks highlighting her overall game on both sides of the ball. One of top post players in the deep SEC.
Khayla Pointer- LSU
The Kim Mulkey era at LSU has started off with a good amount of success and at the center of that is guard Khayla Pointer. The 5th year senior is averaging a career high and team-high 18.1 points a game this season.
Angel Reese- Maryland
Despite missing some games with injury this season, Reese has started to find her footing lately for the Terps. She is a walking double-double this season and possesses elite-level athleticism. She could be the x-factor if the Terps look to challenge for the Big Ten trophy.
Destanni Henderson- South Carolina
Henderson has been the heart and soul for the top-rated Gamecocks this season. She seems to take her game to another level in the biggest of games and she had huge bucket after huge bucket in her team’s victories over UConn and Stanford earlier this season. She is averaging 12.4 points a game but is a threat to bust out at any time.
Emily Engstler- Louisville
After transferring from Syracuse, Engstler has wasted no time settling into her role with the Cardinals. At 6’1, she is versatile enough to defend almost every position on the court. She also has a game winning bucket in this season against Georgia Tech so add clutch to her skillset as well.
Jordan Horston- Tennessee
It appears that the Lady Vols maybe climbing back into the elite conversation this season and at the head of that charge would be Horston. She has next-level athleticism and has shown she can put this team on her back. She is averaging 15.2 points per game this season highlighted by her 28-point outburst against Texas in November.
Veronica Burton- Northwestern
When discussing the best defenders in the country, a name that has to be near the top of that group is Burton, She has complete control from the lead guard position for her Wildcats team and is a threat to put up a triple-double anytime she steps onto the court.
Tamari Key- Tennessee
Key has been a shot-blocking force for the Lady Vols inside the paint this season. She has had multiple games this season with double-digit blocks, including her triple-double with points, rebounds, and blocks against Texas earlier in the season.
Hailey Van Lith- Louisville
The sharp-shooting leftie has come up big in big moments for her team this year. She finished with 16 points in her team’s victory over UConn and then a season high 20 points in a victory over Syracuse. She is no stranger to the ball being in her hands in crunch time and she has shown she can deliver.
Grace Berger- Indiana
Berger is one of the most physically imposing guards in women’s college basketball. She has a nearly automatic mid-range jumper, and she has gone to that shot in key moments multiple times this season. She put up a season-high 24 points in a comeback overtime victory over Purdue. She is averaging just over 15 points a game this season for the Big Ten first place Indiana Hoosiers.
Monika Czinano- Iowa
Megan Gustafson 2.0 seems to be enjoying a productive senior season. She is currently putting up just under 20 points a game. She is the perfect complement the scoring machine known as Caitlin Clark. Monika is a picture-perfect example of a hard-working post player who scores at a sky-high clip.
Aijha Blackwell- Missouri
There is no one better when it comes to cleaning the glass this season. Blackwell leads all of college basketball with over 13 rebounds a game. Despite missing a few games, she is putting up a double-double average for her group and is one of the most underrated players in not only the SEC but in the country.
Nyara Sabally- Oregon
After struggling with nagging injuries early in the season, Sabally is starting to put her stamp on this season and doing so forcefully. She is leading her team with over 16 points a game as well as leading them in rebounds. Nyara might be the most well-rounded player for the Ducks and could be the key to them finding success the rest of the Pac-12 and postseason.
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