Who is the next star in women’s university basketball?
The rookie class of this past season provided some possible answers.
Although most of the ocular balloons in sport were stuck, and for a good reason, for Juju Watkins of USC, Paige Bueckers of Uconn, Hannah Hidalgo de Notre Dame and Hailey of Lith TCU, there were first -year students. Some of them began to assemble the surface on what their potential could be, while others accumulated praise, produced amazing statistics or helped their squads win big.
Michigan is an example of a team with a really brilliant future, since he had three outstanding rookies last season: Syla Swords, Olivia Olson and Mia Holloway, all of whom will return for Wolverines as second year students. Collectively, the trio averaged 42.1 points, 14.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game.
Others, such as Gal Raviv, won the school where they spent their rookie season. Dessert.
As we move towards the 2025-26 season, we reflect on what a handful of players achieved as rookies and thought about what they could do next.
These are the second year students who need to pay attention to the next season.
Kourtney Grossman, east of Washington
Among all first year students throughout the country last season, Grossman was the only one to get a double double, publishing 10.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. She was fifth at the national level in defensive rebounds, grabbing 8.5 or the other team’s failures. For his efforts, Billings 6 -foot striker 1, Montana, was appointed Big Sky Freshman of the Year. The East of Washington ended with only a 9-20 record, but Grossman looks like a player that the program can build in the coming years.
Kiyomi McMiller, Penn State
McMiller entered the university with a ton of exaggeration, classified as a five -star prospect and one of the 30 best players in class 2024 by ESPN. She was a Jordan All-American brand and showed part of the potential as a rookie in Rutgers, measuring three double doubles and scoring 25 points or more in a single game six times. But a mid -season suspension turned McMiller’s first year season into a rocky. She entered the transfer portal with suitors of several important programs and finally ended in Penn State. The Nittany Lions had 10-19 last season and won only one game at Big Ten Play. They expect McMiller to take them to many more victories.
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova
The 5 -foot and 7 Canadian guard was one of the best first -year students in the Great East last season and helped boost Villanova to appear in the Wbit semifinals. Bascoe was one of the two first -year students nationwide who made at least 2.5 free throws per game and fired north or 85 percent from the charity strip for the season. He averaged 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for game for the Wildcats, doing a little quite well.
Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State
A 5 -foot and 7 -inch guard from Nashville, Tennessee, Cambridge began in the 29 games he played last season for the buckey, averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 robberies per game. She was appointed Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year and had a handful of outstanding performances, such as when she counted 33 points and five assists in a victory in February over the state of Michigan.
Allie Turner, Gonzaga
Appointed an all-American honor mention by the WBCA, there were few shooters as good as Turner last season. She led all first -year students, and was the 11th National Pillars made by 3.0. Its success rate of 45.7 percent from behind the arch was 17th nationwide, and also averaged 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. With the help of Turner, Gonzaga made the quarterfinals of the Wbit.
Delaney Gibb, byu
The first first -year student of the year Big 12 did everything for the Cougars last season, averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while fired 39.5 ARC Perman. A 5 -foot and 10 -inch guard from Canada, Gibb will be a player that Byu can build during the next seasons.
Toby Fournier, Duke
The future of 6 feet and 2 of the 6 feet and famous for its most prominent aspects of viral immersion in social networks led the Blue Devils won the ACC tournament and advanced to the Eight Elite for the first time since 2013 last season. It was appointed Acukie of the Year while averaging 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Fournier also triggered 52.6 percent from the floor and held the 34th position nationwide in Per.
Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt
The winner of the Tamika Catchings Award from USBWA for the best first -year student in the nation, Blakes was absolutely box office this season and put Vanderbilt on the map. He led all first -year students, and was the eighth national among all players, in annotations this season with 23.3 points per game. Since 2009, Blakes is the only player who scores 50 points in a game twice as a first -year student. With Blakes leading the way, commoders hope to be affirming at the top of the SEC during the next seasons.
Sarah Strong, Uconn
No first year designation matters: Strong was one of the best players in the country this season and an important reason why UConn was able to beat South Carolina and win his 12th National Championship. Tabbed As the best recruit in class 2024, Strong lived up to the exaggeration of 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 robberies and 1.7 blockages per game. In any game, Strong could be the best scorer, rebound, pin and defender of Uconn.
A complete package of a player, Strong ranked third in the nation in a percentage of shooting inside the arch, which makes 68.3 percent of his shots from a range of 2 points. He also led the nation in victorious actions (9.3) and defensive qualification (64.9). With strong in alignment, Huskies hope to compete again for a national championship.
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