When ESPN dropped its 2025-26 women’s NCAA basketball conference player of the year projections, it didn’t just name favorites—it painted a picture of a season teetering between dominance and chaos. In the Horizon League, Colbi Maples, the 5-foot-8 guard from Cleveland State Vikings, is the clear pick. After winning the honor in 2023-24 and then missing nearly the entire 2024-25 season due to a torn ACL, Maples returns with something to prove. She averaged 16.6 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals while leading her team to the regular-season title. Her competition? Tatum Thompson of Boise State Broncos, a 6-foot-1 forward who quietly posted 13.6 points and 6.8 rebounds on 48.4% shooting last year. But here’s the thing: Maples isn’t just back—she’s hungry.
Under-the-Radar Stars Rise in Smaller Conferences
In the Northeast Conference, Ava Renninger of Fairleigh Dickinson Knights is the projected POY. She didn’t just make an impression in her debut—she exploded. Renninger dropped 20 points in her first collegiate game, went on to win NEC Freshman of the Year, and averaged 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds. The twist? She’s the only returning first-team all-conference player as FDU tries to defend both its regular-season and tournament titles. Her biggest threat? Ta’Niya Latson, the 5-foot-8 forward who torched Florida State for 25.2 points and 14.6 rebounds per game last season before transferring to South Carolina Gamecocks. Yes, that’s right—she’s now facing the very team she once dominated.Meanwhile, in the Southern Conference, Caia Elisaldez of Chattanooga Mocs is the engine. At just 5-foot-5, she led the league in scoring (17.4 PPG) and minutes (38.7 MPG), and her 151 assists were the most in program history in 26 years. You don’t need height to be lethal—you just need guts, and Elisaldez has both.
National Stage: Betts and Strong Headline the Race
While conference honors matter, the real fireworks are happening on the national level. Lauren Betts, the 6-foot-7 senior center from UCLA, is the frontrunner for National Player of the Year. Last season, she averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks—numbers that made her the first UCLA player since 2012 to win the Lisa Leslie Award for Center. But she’s not alone. Sarah Strong, the 6-foot-2 sophomore forward from UConn, is right there. After averaging 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals as a freshman, Strong is already being called the heir apparent to Paige Bueckers. And UConn? They’re still the team to beat—even after winning their 12th national title by defeating South Carolina in the 2025 championship.Then there’s Madison Booker of Texas, the reigning SEC Player of the Year. She averaged 16.3 points and shot better than 40% from three last season. But Booker doesn’t operate alone. She’s paired with Rori Harmon, the senior point guard who dished out 230 assists and earned All-SEC Defensive Team honors. Together, they form the core of what CBS Sports writer Gibbs calls “the most dangerous duo in the country.”
SEC Chaos and the Rise of Texas
The SEC isn’t just competitive—it’s a warzone. South Carolina lost Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts, two All-Americans, but still returns Ta’Niya Latson and a loaded roster. LSU has Flau’Jae Johnson, the 5-foot-10 senior guard who averaged 18.6 points and 38.3% from deep while helping the Tigers win the 2023 title. And then there’s Texas. CBS’s Gibbs didn’t just pick Texas to win the SEC—he picked them to win the whole tournament. “I’m just that confident in Rori Harmon and Madison Booker,” he said. “They’re not just good—they’re system-defining.”And it’s not just the stars. Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson, now at South Carolina, is a game-changer. North Carolina State’s Zoe Brooks, overlooked by many, is getting serious buzz from analysts who say Brenda Frese has assembled her best Maryland team in a decade. Meanwhile, TCU’s Olivia Miles, the former Notre Dame star who averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 assists, is the missing puzzle piece in Mark Campbell’s pick-and-roll system.
What’s Next? The Road to the Final Four
The 2025-26 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament starts with a question: Can anyone stop UConn? The Huskies lost Paige Bueckers to the WNBA, but Sarah Strong, Cotie McMahon, and a deep bench make them the preseason #1. Texas, LSU, and South Carolina are the only other teams with the firepower to reach the Final Four, according to Gibbs. And if the SEC continues its upward trajectory? We could see three teams from one conference in the final four for the first time since 2017.Meanwhile, freshmen like Aaliyah Chavez and Jazzy Davidson are poised to shake things up. Gibbs believes Chavez will edge out Davidson for Freshman of the Year—not because she’s more talented, but because her system at Texas plays to her strengths.
Legacy Players and New Icons
The Hoophall Awards for 2024-25 already set the tone: Betts (Center), Booker (Small Forward), Johnson (Wing), and Strong (All-Around Force) were honored. These aren’t just stats—they’re legacy markers. And with Betts entering her final year, Strong stepping into the spotlight, and Johnson juggling music and basketball, this season isn’t just about championships. It’s about defining careers.Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top three players in the 2025-26 women’s NCAA basketball season?
According to ESPN’s top 25 rankings, Sarah Strong (UConn) is #1, followed by Lauren Betts (UCLA) at #2, and Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame) at #3. Strong leads in all-around impact, Betts dominates inside, and Hidalgo brings elite scoring and poise. All three are projected as top-5 WNBA draft picks.
Why is Texas considered a favorite to win the NCAA tournament?
Texas returns Madison Booker, the reigning SEC Player of the Year, and Rori Harmon, a 230-assist maestro and All-SEC defender. Their chemistry is unmatched, and their system—built around pick-and-roll and three-point spacing—is nearly impossible to defend. CBS Sports’ Gibbs called them “the most dangerous duo in the country,” and their depth, including rising freshman talent, gives them a championship-caliber roster.
How did Colbi Maples recover from her ACL injury to be projected as Horizon League POY again?
Maples missed 25 games in 2024-25 due to a torn ACL but returned for the final three contests, showing flashes of her former self. Her rehab was meticulous, and coaches say she’s regained her quickness and defensive instincts. With her leadership and scoring ability—16.6 PPG in her championship season—she’s not just returning; she’s elevating Cleveland State’s program. The Horizon League hasn’t had a repeat POY since 2018, and Maples is determined to be the first.
Is the SEC truly the strongest conference this season?
Yes, and it’s historic. For the first time since 2017, three SEC teams—South Carolina, LSU, and Texas—are projected to reach the Final Four. The conference has seven teams ranked in the top 25, with six returning All-SEC players. Depth, athleticism, and coaching depth make the SEC the most competitive league in the country.
What’s the significance of Sarah Strong stepping into Paige Bueckers’ role at UConn?
Bueckers was the face of UConn’s dynasty, a generational talent who carried the team for years. Strong isn’t trying to replace her—she’s redefining what UConn’s next era looks like. As a freshman, she averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals. She’s more of a two-way force than a pure scorer, and her versatility allows UConn to play faster and more flexibly. Analysts say she’s the first player since Diana Taurasi to carry the Huskies without being a traditional point guard.
Who is the most underrated player in the 2025-26 season?
Olivia Miles at TCU is the quietest game-changer. She transferred from Notre Dame after averaging 15.4 points and 5.8 assists, and her basketball IQ is elite. In Mark Campbell’s system, she’ll be the primary playmaker, and her ability to control tempo could make TCU a dangerous March contender. Few outside the Big 12 are talking about her—but they will be by March.
