Women’s College Basketball: Top Player of the Year Contenders for 2025-26

The landscape of women’s college basketball is undergoing significant changes, particularly as the season approaches. With only eight former players of the year returning to their respective teams, a stark decline from 14 last season, the impact of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals continues to reshape the sport. As the 2025-26 season draws near, anticipation builds around the potential candidates for the prestigious Player of the Year title across various conferences.

As teams prepare for the upcoming season, some frontrunners appear clear. For instance, Sarah Strong of the University of Connecticut (UConn) is expected to maintain her dominance in the Big East, while Maggie Doogan leads the charge in the Atlantic 10 after a remarkable previous season. In contrast, competition is expected to be fierce in conferences such as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big 12, where several players are in contention until the final game.

Key Contenders for Player of the Year

The following highlights top candidates from various conferences, along with their strongest competition based on last season’s performance.

**America East Conference**
Adrianna Smith, a 6-foot forward from the Maine Black Bears, returns strong after a knee injury sidelined her last season. In her sophomore year, she averaged 16.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, winning the America East Player of the Year title in 2023. Her primary competitor is Eva DeChent from New Hampshire, who averaged 17.8 points and 4.4 rebounds last season.

**American Conference**
From the South Florida Bulls, Edyn Battle is a standout. She led the Atlantic Sun in scoring last season with 20.8 points per game. Accompanying her in the backcourt will be Carla Brito, creating a formidable duo. Dominique Ennis of Rice is expected to be her main challenger.

**Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)**
Hannah Hidalgo of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is emerging as a leading two-way guard. With an average of 23.8 points and 3.7 steals per game last season, she is positioned for another stellar year. Her competition includes Zoe Brooks from NC State, who averaged 14.2 points last season.

**Big 12 Conference**
Olivia Miles, now at TCU, is a formidable force after transferring from Notre Dame. She averaged 15.4 points and improved her three-point shooting last season. Audi Crooks of Iowa State, who excelled with 23.4 points and 7.5 rebounds, will challenge her.

**Big Ten Conference**
In the Big Ten, Lauren Betts from UCLA is a strong contender after a season averaging 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds. She also became one of the nation’s top shot blockers. Yarden Garzon, previously with Indiana, will be a notable competitor.

**Southeastern Conference (SEC)**
The Texas Longhorns’ Madison Booker looks to solidify her status after winning Big 12 Player of the Year last season. She enhanced her three-point shooting significantly, presenting a threat to her competition, including Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina, who averaged 25.2 points last season.

**West Coast Conference (WCC)**
Gonzaga’s Allie Turner, the reigning WCC Freshman of the Year, is expected to shine, having averaged 13.4 points and leading in three-point accuracy. Her competition includes Sophie Glancey from Santa Clara, who averaged 18.3 points and 9.6 rebounds.

As the season kicks off in less than two weeks, these players will not only be aiming for individual accolades but also leading their teams through a landscape marked by increased mobility and change. The excitement surrounding the upcoming season offers a glimpse of both established stars and emerging talent ready to make their mark in women’s college basketball. The race for the Player of the Year title promises to be as competitive as ever.