Women’s College Basketball Midseason Awards: A Thrilling Race for Player of the Year
As we dive into the heart of the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season, the race for the national player of the year is heating up like never before. Last season, Caitlin Clark seemed to be the unstoppable force, but this year, it’s a thrilling four-way race with no clear front-runner. Imagine four powerful locomotives all converging on the same station, each vying for the title of the best individual player in the country. That’s the kind of suspense we’re witnessing right now.
Leading the charge is a sophomore sensation, but not the one many expected. Notre Dame‘s Hannah Hidalgo has taken the lead, edging out USC‘s JuJu Watkins, who was last season’s freshman of the year. These two second-year stars faced off in November, with Notre Dame handing USC its only loss of the season, 74-61. Hidalgo shone with 24 points and 8 assists, while Watkins matched her with 24 points and 5 assists.
Hidalgo is currently second in Division I in scoring and steals, having scored 25 or more points in eight games for ACC-leading Notre Dame (5-0). Watkins isn’t far behind, ranking third in scoring with eight games of 25-plus points. The Trojans are 6-0 atop the Big Ten in their first season in the conference.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. UConn guard Paige Bueckers, the national player of the year in 2021, and UCLA center Lauren Betts are also in the running. Betts leads the No. 1-ranked Bruins (16-0 overall, 5-0 in Big Ten), making this a truly competitive field.
So, how do these top four players measure up? And who are the leading candidates for best freshman, transfer, and coach? ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel weigh in with their picks as we approach the NCAA tournament.
Player of the Year
Andrews: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Creme: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Philippou: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Voepel: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Hannah Hidalgo is a force to be reckoned with, both as a scorer and a defender. Her standout performances against top teams have solidified her status as a top contender. She scored 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in an 80-70 overtime win against Texas on Dec. 5, and 29 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals in a 79-68 victory over UConn on Dec. 12.
Despite missing a game due to a rolled ankle, Hidalgo’s impact is undeniable. Her shooting percentage has improved to 50.4% overall and 45.8% from beyond the arc. She’s averaging 25.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 4.1 steals per game.
Top Challengers (in order)
- JuJu Watkins, USC: Watkins has been impressive, improving her shooting and defense while reducing turnovers. She’s on pace to break Clark’s all-time NCAA scoring record.
- Paige Bueckers, UConn: Bueckers remains efficient with a career-best effective field goal percentage of 62.8%. She’s close to reaching 2,000 career points.
- Lauren Betts, UCLA: Betts has transformed UCLA into the No. 1 team, anchoring a strong defense and consistently scoring in double figures.
Freshman of the Year
Andrews: Sarah Strong, UConn
Creme: Sarah Strong, UConn
Philippou: Sarah Strong, UConn
Voepel: Sarah Strong, UConn
Sarah Strong has exceeded expectations at UConn, drawing comparisons to legends like Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore. Her versatility and feel for the game are remarkable, and she’s already a top player in the nation.
Coach of the Year
Andrews: Niele Ivey, Notre Dame
Creme: Niele Ivey, Notre Dame
Philippou: Cori Close, UCLA
Voepel: Niele Ivey, Notre Dame
Niele Ivey has elevated Notre Dame to new heights, with impressive wins over UConn and USC. The Irish’s potent offense and strong backcourt have them in the national title conversation.
Top challenger: Cori Close, UCLA
Cori Close has led UCLA to an undefeated season, with stars like Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice shining under her guidance. The Bruins are poised for a deep NCAA tournament run.
All-Transfer Team
- Georgia Amoore, Kentucky, guard
- Raegan Beers, Oklahoma, forward
- Kiki Iriafen, USC, forward
- Hailey Van Lith, TCU, guard
- Liatu King, Notre Dame, forward
Top transfer: Georgia Amoore, Kentucky
Georgia Amoore has been instrumental in Kentucky’s resurgence, leading the team to a 15-1 record and a strong start in SEC play. Her leadership and playmaking have been crucial to the Wildcats’ success.
All-America Team
Our top four picks for national player of the year make the All-America first team, but who gets the fifth spot? It was a neck-and-neck race between Aneesah Morrow of LSU and Ta’Niya Latson of Florida State. Morrow, who leads Division I in double-doubles, got the nod.
Lauren Betts, UCLA, center
Paige Bueckers, UConn, guard
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame, guard
Aneesah Morrow, LSU, forward
JuJu Watkins, USC, guard
Originally Written by: ESPN
