ASGR Hoops preseason women’s college basketball Top 35

It’s a whole new season and, thanks to the transfer portal, high school and international recruiting classes, there are lots of new faces in different places.

But, amid all the changes, there is one constant in women’s college basketball. South Carolina is still on top. Coach Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks won the national championship last year — their second title in the last three seasons — and a strong nucleus, led by guards MiLaysia Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao. Throw in a big-time transfer in forward Maryam Duada and top recruits Joyce Edwards and Maddy McDaniel and it’s easy to see why All-Star Girls Report Basketball Founder Michael T. White has South Carolina high atop his preseason rankings.

“This team has a WNBA mentality,” said White, who started ASGR in 1995 and has one of the nation’s best reputations as a talent evaluator from the high school through college level. Let’s take a look at White’s preseason top 35.

1. SOUTH CAROLINA. While the Gamecocks lack eye-popping individual statistics, they more than make up for it with strength in numbers. Fulwiley was the SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player last season and she is South Carolina’s top returning scorer. She averaged 11.7 points per game last year and Paopao wasn’t far behind at 11.0. Duada, who averaged 10.1 points per game at Arkansas last season, gives the Gamecocks an inside scoring threat and should get help from forwards Chloe Kitts (9.1 points per game last year) and Ashlyn Watkins (9.2 ppg). Add Edwards, a 6-2 forward and ASGR’s top-ranked player in the ’24 class, and the Gamecocks suddenly have scoring balance between the front and back courts. The Gamecocks could be even stronger with Adhel Tac, a 6-5 center, who took advantage of early enrollment last January.

“Dawn is old school,” White said. “You’re not getting on the court unless you play defense. Do they have players that can go off for 20 points at anytime? Sure. But they’re just so balanced all around that they don’t need someone to put up 20 a night. They go 13 deep with a bunch of McDonald’s All-Americans. Dawn doesn’t back down from anyone. The SEC is brutal and she has NC State, UCLA, Iowa State, Duke, TCU, South Florida and UConn on the schedule. But she has yet another team that is just loaded.”

2. UCONN. Staley and the Gamecocks aren’t the only familiar face to show up near the top of the rankings. White has 11 time NCAA champs UConn at No. 2. Although coach Geno Auriemma (entering his 40th season) hasn’t won a national title since the 2015-16 season, the Huskies have remained a powerhouse. Since their last national title, the Huskies have made six Final Four appearances and another one looks quite possible.

UConn might have scored its biggest win of the year, long before the start of the season. Although most projections had her as a top-three pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, junior guard Paige Bueckers decided to return to Storrs for another season. A two-time, first-team All-American, Bueckers averaged 21.9 points a game last year.

“She can do everything you could want on a basketball court,” White said. “The only thing missing from her resume is a national championship.”

That’s something Bueckers and the Huskies may have a shot at Bueckers is far from a solo act. With Azzi Fudd possible return from an injury that forced her to miss all but the first two games of last season, UConn will have a strong 1-2 punch. The nation’s No. 1 prospect coming out of high school, Fudd averaged 15.1 points in the 2022-23 season before injury. Guards Kaitlyn Chen transfer from Princeton averaged 15.8 ppg, 4.9 aspg and 3.5 rpg last year and Ashlynn Shade (the Big East Freshman of the Year last season) also averaged in double figures last season.

Although the Huskies are loaded with veteran players, they’re not standing still. Auriemma reeled in one of the top recruiting classes in UCon’s storied history. It’s highlighted by 6-2 forward Sarah Strong, who ranked No. 2 on ASGR’s list of prospects last season. But she has plenty of company. UConn also landed guards Allie Ziebell, who ASGR ranked ninth and Morgan Cheli ranked 20th, respectively, in the Class of 2024.

“Sarah will be the key to them getting back to the Final Four,” White said. “Geno will know how to utilize her skillset. If she can give them something like 15 points and seven rebounds a game, they’ll be very tough to beat.”

3. UCLA. The Bruins also have strength in numbers with four returning players who averaged in double figures last season. If that wasn’t enough, UCLA also added three players, who averaged double figures at their previous schools, through the transfer portal. That kind of depth is one reason why White has the Bruins ranked near the top. But there’s another reason.

That’s 6-7 center Lauren Betts, who averaged 14.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season. White said Betts is more than capable of leading the Bruins further than the Sweet 16 finish they’ve had each of the last two seasons.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Betts is the best post player in the country,” White said.

That’s not the only strong statement White is making about the Bruins, who landed three recruits ranked in ASGR’s top 45.

“In all the years Cori Close has been there (she started coaching at UCLA in 2011), this is the best team they’ve had,” White said.

4. TEXAS. Coach Vic Schaefer has led the Longhorns to three Elite Eight appearances in four seasons in Austin and this season looks just as promising. Although Schaefer has a reputation for being a defensive mastermind, his team is loaded with offensive weapons.

Forward Madison Booker (16.5 points per game last season) leads four returning players who averaged in double figures last year. But there’s more to the story than that. The Longhorns landed perhaps one of the top player in the transfer portal. Guard Laila Phelia averaged 16.8 points at Michigan last season. Texas also added two players — forward Justice Carlton (ranked No. 6 in the nation by ASGR) and guard Jordan Lee (No. 10).

But White said the key to Texas’ season might be point guard Rori Harmon, who averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists, before suffering a season-ending injury last season. But Harmon is healthy now and that will allow Booker to slide back to the wing after being called in to take over the point.

“Booker is a big guard who can go inside and outside,” White said. “She can do anything on the court and she’s got some great players around her.”

5. USC. Although White thinks UCLA’s Betts is the best post player in the nation, the best player in the country be right within Los Angeles. That’s USC sophomore guard Juju Watkins, who had a spectacular freshman season in which she finished second in the nation with a 27.1 scoring average and her 920 points set a new Division I record for points in a season by a freshman.

“(USC coach) Lindsay Gottlieb is a good coach,” White said. “But life is easy when you have Juju Watkins. She’s a very special talent.”

But Watkins no longer has to do it all on her own. That’s because the Trojans jumped into the transfer portal headfirst. Gottleib and the Trojans landed Kiki Irafen, future WNBA player (who averaged 19.4 points per game for Stanford last year) and Talia von Oelhofen (11.2 points and five rebounds per game for an Oregon State team that advanced to the Elite Eight. Freshman forward Kennedy Smith (No. 4 in ASGR’s rankings) likely will get immediate playing time.

“They’re going to get 60 or 70 points a game out of Juju, Kiki, Rayah and Talia,” White said. “That’s a great start. From there, we’ll just have to wait and see who else steps up and puts them over the top from sensational 7 recruits from ’24 high school class. They should have their sights on the Final Four. Juju almost got them there last year..”

6. Notre Dame. Watkins wasn’t the nation’s only freshman sensation last year. She had company in Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo. She scored 31 points against South Carolina in her first college game and that was only the start. While averaging 22.6 points and 4.6 steals per game, Hidalgo was a first-team All-American selection and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

On their way to a third straight Sweet 16 appearance, the Irish had to deal with adversity. Guard Olivia Miles (14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game in 2022-23 missed the season with an injury.

“(Coach Niele) Ivey did an unbelievable job last year,” White said. “They got hit hard by injuries and they didn’t have Miles all season. Now that Miles is healthy, she and Hidalgo are going to be one of the top backcourts in the nation. Throw in {Sonia} Citron and they have three big-time scorers.”

But the key to Notre Dame’s season may be a how quickly a trio of young players develops. Guard Cassandre Prosper and forward Emma Risch both were considered elite prospects coming out of high school, but injuries limited them to a combined 12 appearances last season. If they can bounce back and be big contributors this year and freshman forward Kate Koval (No. 5 in ASGR’ 24 rankings) lives up to the hype, the Irish could be a Final Four contender.

Notre Dame’s frontcourt should be considerably better than last season. The Irish added two forwards that should have an immediate impact. Liatu King averaged 18.points and 10.3 rebounds per game at Pittsburgh last season and Liza Karlen averaged 17.7 points and 7.9 rebounds at Marquette.

“Their first eight players are as good as any first eight in the country,” White said. “But they can’t afford to have any injuries this season because they’re really only about eight players deep with Maddy Westbeld, KK Bransford and Kylee Watson sidelined for the upcoming season.”

7. LSU. There’s no question the Tigers will miss superstar Angel Reese, who moved onto the WNBA. But this roster still is loaded with talent and several players remain from the 2023 national championship team.

Flau’jae Johnson (14.5 ppg), Mikayla Williams (14.5 ppg) and Aneesah Marrow (16.4 ppg and 10.0 rpg) give the Tigers one of the nation’s best top-three groups and that should ease LSU’s transition into the post-Reese era. And that group could expand to a quartet if forward Sa’Myah Smith can come back strong from an ACL injury that ended her 2023-24 season after just seven games. Prior to the injury, Smith averaged 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. The Tigers also added a top-notch transfer in guard Kailyn Gilbert, who averaged 15.3 points for Arizona last season.

But White said the key to LSU’s season could be the development of 6-6 sophomore center Aalyah Del Rosario, who averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds as a freshman.

“Del Rosario didn’t have big numbers as a freshman,” White said. “But I look for her to really step up this season.”

8. Oklahoma. Along with Texas, the Sooners are moving into the highly-competitive SEC this year. But the presence of marquee post Raegan Beers and Skylar Vann will help ease the transition. Beers averaged 17.5 points and 10.3 rebounds at Oregon State during a run to the Elite Eight last season and Vann was the Big 12’s Co-Player of the Year while averaging 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season.

Guard Payton Verhulst and Sahara Williams return after averaging in double figures last season. Freshman guard Zya Vann (No. 65 in ASGR’s rankings) is Skylar’s sister and Caya Smith (No. 52 in ASGR’s rankings) should have a chance to get playing time immediately.

9. Kansas State. This ranking may seem a bit high to some, but White said Kansas State has two big things working in its favor. Start off with the fact the Wildcats return one of the nation’s top inside players in 6-6 center Ayoka Lee. She averaged 19.7 points and 8.6 rebounds last season. Lee is the first player in school history to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 assists.

“Lee is one of the best players in the country,” White said. “She’s their anchor. But they’ll have good balance thanks to a couple of key transfers.

Those transfers are forwards Tamira Poindexter (21.0 points and 5.3 rebounds for Tulsa last season) and Kennedy Taylor (10.7 ppg and 7.1 rebounds at Missouri State last season). The Wildcats also return another scoring threat in guard Serena Sundell (12.1 ppg last year).

The other reason White expects big things out of the Wildcats is the presence of veteran coach Jeff Mittie.

“They’ll have to adjust quickly with the two transfers coming in and taking on big roles,” White said. “But Jeff is a master at putting the pieces together.”

10. NC State. The Wolfpack lost two key frontcourt players from last season’s Final Four team, but the cupboard is far from bare in Raleigh. This year’s strength will be in the backcourt, where the Wolfpack has four proven players and a promising freshman.

Saniya Rivers (12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 3.7 assists per game) and Aziah James (16.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 2.9 apg) lead the way. But Madison Hayes (10.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg) and Zoe Brooks (9.0 ppg and 3.4 assists) also will be key players for coach Wes Moore.

“The loss of the two bigs is going to hurt because they did a lot of the dirty work,” White said. “But they have four guards who know how to play. Rivers is a definite 1st Round WNBA pick and James could end up as one. But I think Hayes is the glue for this team. She can play four positions and she’ll do whatever it takes to win.

The wildcard for NC State might be 6-4 forward Caitlin Weimar. She averaged 18.7 points and 10.6 rebounds at Boston University last season. If Weimar can put up anything close to those numbers in the ACC, the Wolfpack will have a shot at another deep postseason run.

Even with all the existing depth in the backcourt, White said freshman Zamareya Jones (No. 18 in ASGR’s rankings) will get significant playing time.

“They have to get her on the court because she can help them,” White said. “She may only be 5-6, but she can do a lot. I look at her and I see (former NC State men’s star) Spudd Webb.”

11. TCU. A ranking this high for TCU might seem a bit high for some, but White sees the Horned Frogs as a sleeper pick. He’s basing that on the belief TCU, which has added four significant transfers is ready to make another step forward after reaching the second round of the WBIT las season.

“(Coach) Mark (Campbell) went to the transfer portal and did very well,” White said. “That’s because he’s a relationship coach. He was the architect when he was the recruiter at Oregon.”

One off his Oregon recruits already paid dividends for TCU last year. That’s 6-7 center Sedonia Prince, who averaged 19.7 points, 9.7 rebounds per game and 2.9 blocks per game at TCU last year. Prince teamed with guard Madison Conner, who averaged 19.2 points las year and is one of the top 3-point shooters in the nation, to give TCU a strong inside/outside combination.

Beyond Conner, TCU’s backcourt is loaded. Agnes Emma-Nnopu returns after averaging 10.7 points last season and she’ll be joined by transfers Hailey Van Lith (LSU), Maddie Scherr (Kentucky), Donovyn Hunter (Oregon State) and Taylor Bigby (Southern California). White said Van Litth, who averaged 11.6 points at LSU season, is making her third college stop after starting her career on a Louisville team that went to the Final Four in 2021.Van Lith already has scored over 1,900 points and recorded more than 500 rebounds and 350 assists in her college career.

“Look for Van Lith to step right in and put up big numbers this year,” White said.

12. IOWA STATE. Coach Bill Fenelly’s team is looking to build on last season’s run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a strong nucleus returning. Forward Audi Crooks averaged 19.2 points per game last season and guard Emily Ryan and forward Addy Brown also averaged in double figures.

“Crooks has an old-school game,” White said. “She has great size and strength and it’s tough to stop her. Plus, Bill’s teams always have been known to shoot the three and they have some really good outside shooters.”

But the Cyclones aren’t counting solely on their returning players. They also added two key transfers in guard Kenzie Hare (14 points per game at Marquette last year) and forward Sydney Harris (9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game at Oregon State in 2023-24).

13. DUKE. The Blue Devils’ strength is in numbers. Guard Reigan Richardson (12.4 points per game last year) is the only double-figure scorer returning for a team that reached the Elite Eight. But guards Oluchi Okanawa, Tania Mair and Ashlon Jackson each averaged more than nine points per game.

“(Coach) Kara (Lawson) is great at developing players,” White said. “The guard play already is there, but they have to develop some scoring in the paint.”

Lawson will look to get instant production from of freshmen forward — Toby Fournier (No. 13 in ASGR’s rankings).

“Don’t be surprised to see Fournier really be a key for them,” White said. “She can dunk, but she also can expand her game in the Duke system.”

White also expects marked improvement from forward Jadyn Donovan, who averaged 6.3 points and 5.7 rebounds last year. The Blue Devils also could get a big boost in the second half of the season if guard Riley Nelson (Updated: Out for Season), a Maryland transfer coming off an ACL injury last january, is at full strength when she gets back on the court in January or February.

14. MARYLAND. After reaching the NCAA Tournament with what White called a patchwork offense last season Maryland will look to take another step after reaching deep into the transfer pool. The big names are guards Sarah Te-Biasu, who was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year while averaging 15.6 points for VCU last year, and Kaylene Smikle, who averaged 17.3 points at Rutgers in 47 games over during her 2 years. But forwards Saylor Poffenbarger (10.2 points and 11.2 rebounds at Arkansas last season), guard Mir McLean (11.8 points and nine rebounds per game at Virginia in 2022-23 before sitting out last year with an injury) and forward Christina Dalce (8.3 points and 9.4 rebounds at Villanova last season) also have arrived in College Park.

They’ll join returning guard Shyann Sellers, who had 15 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game last year.

“Sellers is a first-round WNBA pick with an all-around game,” White said. “They had amazing success in the transfer portal and I love their high school class with forwards Breanna Williams (Updated: Out for Season) and Ava McKennie and guard Kyndal Walker (who all were ranked in ASGR’s top 50).

15. ALABAMA. First-team All-SEC guard Sarah Ashlee Barker and three-point ace Aaliya Nye and combo guard Jessica Timmons are the top returners and the Crimson Tide also had a nice haul in the transfer portal, Forward Essence Cody also returns after averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman. Alabama has added guard Zany Green from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, forward Chrstabel Ezumah from Campbell and guard Diana Collins from Ohio State.

“On paper, (Coach) Kristy (Curry) might have her deepest team ever” White said. “They have 14 players who can contribute and they’ll need them because there are no nights off in the SEC.”

16. OHIO STATE. There’s no question the Buckeyes will miss Jacy Sheldon, who was taken as the fifth overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings after leading Ohio State to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. But they still should be a top 20 team.

That’s partly because they have returning starters Cotie McMahon and Taylor Thierry and partly because they picked up two big-time transfers in Ajae Petty and Chance Gray.

McMahon and Theirry combined to average more than 25 points and 11 rebounds a game last season. Petty (14.2 ppg and 10.6 rebounds at Kentucky last season) will join Thierry in the frontcourt and Gray (13.9 ppg and 3.0 assists per game at Oregon last year, will team with McMahon in the front court.

That’s a great start for coach Kevin McGuff, but White said freshman guard Jaloni Cambridge (No. 3 in ASGR’s rankings) might be the key for the Buckeyes.

“I compare her to (former Louisiana Tech star and WNBA player) Tamicha Jackson, because of her energy level” White said. “She can shoot the three, defend and she can rebound for her size. She’s a plug-and-play player from Day One.”

17. UTAH. Alissa Pili has departed for the WNBA after leading Utah to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. But the return of guard Gianna Kneepkens from an injury that forced her to miss most of last season is reason for hope. In only eight games last year, Kneepkens averaged 17.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. She’ll be joined in the backcourt by Kennedy McQueen, who averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 2023-24.

Utah also landed a key player in the transfer portal by getting forward Maya Toure, who averaged 12.5 points and 7.6 rebounds at Rhode Island last season. Guard Brooke Walker and Kylie Ray highlight a strong recruiting class.

“(Coach) Lynne Roberts is a good coach with a good system,” White said. Their high school kids will get some minutes and Toure was a big pickup as a transfer. They’ll be a solid team.”

18. KENTUCKY. New coach Kenny Brooks arrives in Lexington after taking Virginia Tech to the NCAA Tournament each of the last four seasons and he’s bringing along his best player. Guard Georgia Amoore averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 assists for the Hokies. Forward Clara Strack also has left Virginia Tech for Kentucky.

But Brooks did more than just bring in transfers from Virginia Tech. He also landed forwards Jordan Orbi (Penn), Dominika Paurova (Updated: Out for Season) (Oregon State) and Teonni Key (North Carolina) and guard Dazia Lawrence (UNC-Charlotte).

“People look at it as a rebuild, but it’s not a bad rebuild,” White said. “Kenny Brooks is one of the best coaches in the country and Amoore is one of the best players in the country. They’re bring in what probably is the best international player in (6-7 center) Clara Silva. If Kenny can get good production from Silva and Key in the paint, they’ll be in good shape.”

19. VANDERBILT. In her third season at Vanderbilt, coach Shea Ralph has done a nice job of building a program. She took the Commadores to the NCAA Tournament last season and now has a nice mix of returning players, transfers and recruits.

Guard Iyana Moore and forward Sasha Washington both averaged in double figures last year. They’ll be joined by a pair of transfer guards in Leilani Kapinus (11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds at Penn State) and Jane Nwaba (10.7 ppg at Pepperdine).  But White said the key for Vanderbilt in taking the next step will be the recruiting class guard Mikayla Blakes (No. 12 in ASGR’s rankings) and forward Trinity Wilson (No. 110).

“Blakes is Shea’s first real big-time recruit and Wilson fills a need up front,” White said. “If they develop quickly, this could be a very good team.”

20. BAYLOR. Following last season’s run to the Sweet 16, the Bears are counting on the experience of returning guards Sara Andrews (11.4 ppg) and Jada Walker (8.4 ppg). They also brought in one of the nations top junior college players — guard Waiata Jennings.

But the keys to Baylor’s season may be  a pair of newcomers in the front court. Forward Aaronette Vonieh averaged 14 points and 5.2 rebounds at Colorado last season and 6-1 freshman forward Kayla Nelms, who was No. 60 in ASGR’s rankings.

“Nelms is a big kid who can play inside or outside and she’s going to get some minutes right off the bat.

21. INDIANA. Forwards Yarden Garzon and Sydney Parrish and guards Sha Ciezki and Chloe Moore-McNeil all averaged double-figure points on a team that went to the Sweet 16 last year. The Hoosiers also made one significant move in the transfer portal. That was landing 6-3 forward Karoline Striplin, who averaged 7.2 points and 3.1 rebounds at Tennessee last year.

Indiana also added a strong recruiting class in 6-4 forward Faith Wiseman (ranked No. 56 by ASGR), 6-3 freshman Sydney Fenn (No. 62 by ASGR) and guard Valentia Kadlecova from the Czech Republic.

“They all fit the Indiana system,” White said. “Teri Moren is a great coach with a great system. I love watching her coach and she has quite a bit to work with this season.”

22. TENNESSEE. Rising star Kim Caldwell takes over as coach of the Volunteers after successful stints at Marshall and Glenville State. In her only season at Marshall last year, Caldwell led the program to its first 20-win since since 1990-91 and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997.

“This is one of my sleeper teams,” White said. “Let me tell you, I really like the system Kim Caldwell runs. Her teams push the ball and shoot the 3-pointer. She now brings that style to Tennessee and she has a group of players that fit her system very well. They’re 13 deep. If they can get the 3-ball dropping like they should it will be unlike anything the SEC has seen before.”

Guard Jewel Spear is Tennessee’s top returner after averaging 13.1 ppg last season and forward Sara Puckett (9.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg) is the top returnee in the front court. But the Volunteers have plenty of help coming from the transfer portal and a strong recruiting class. Guards Ruby Whitehorn (12.3 ppg at Clemson last year) and Samara Spencer (13.9 ppg and 3.5 apg at Arkansas should make an immediate impact. Forwards Alyssa Latham (Syracuse) and Zee Spearman (Miami) also landed at Tennessee. Perhaps the most intriguing player to arrive via transfer is Talaysia Cooper, who averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.8 rpg at South Carolina in 2022-23 before redshirting last year. Cooper was a McDonald’s all-American in high school in 2022 and was ranked among the nation’s top point guards.

The Volunteers also have guard Kaniya Boyd (Top 30 per ASGR), who enrolled last January and continued to rehab from a knee injury that forced her to miss her senior year of high school. Boyd comes out of one of the nation’s strongest high school programs at Centennial High in Las Vegas.

23. FLORIDA STATE. The Seminoles have an elite player returning in guard Ta’Niya Latson, who averaged 21.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 4.2 apg game while leading Florida State to the NCAA Tournament last year.

“Latson is just a good all-around athlete, who can get to the rim,” White said.

The Seminoles also have two other key returners in Makayla Timpson (14.3 ppg and 10 rpg) and guard O’Mariah Gordon (13.2 ppg and 3.3 apg).

“They have their big three in order,” White said. “And that’s a good start.”

But the Seminoles should be much more than a three-player team. They’ve added forward Malea Williams, who averaged 8.3 ppg and 5.9 rpg at Cincinnati last year and guard Sydney Bowles, who started 29 games at Texas A&M in 2022-23. They also added a pair of junior college transfers in Raiane Dias Dos Santos (Gulf Coast College) and forward Morelia Chavez (Eastern Arizona College).

But White said the key to Florida State’s season might be the development of forward Brianna Turnage, who has been relatively quiet in her first two seasons in Tallahassee. White expects Turnage, who teamed with Latson to lead Westlake High School in Atlanta to the GEICO National Championship in 2021, to take a big step forward this season.

24. ILLINOIS. Entering her third season at Illinois after a successful stint at Dayton, Coach Shauna Green has a team that appears to be on the rise. Four double-figures scorers are back from a team that won the 2024 WBIT championship.

Guard Makira Cook (16.4 ppg and 4.4 apg last year) is the top player. But she has a strong supporting cast in guards Genesis Bryant (14.2 ppg) and Adalia McKenzie (11.0 ppg) and forward Kendall Bostic (12.9 ppg and 10.9 rpg). But the key to the Illinois season might be 6-7 center Lety Vasconcelos (Updated: Out for Season), who has transferred in after averaging 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg at Baylor last season. Vasconcelos, who is from Brazil, came out of Montverde Academy viewed as one of the nation’s top recruits, but was stuck on Baylor’s bench most of last season.

“If they can get anything out of Lety, they’ll be a very good team,” White said.

25. LOUISVILLE. White considers Louisville’s Jeff Walz, who took over the program in 2007, and has had the Cardinals in the NCAA Tournament 15 times (including one national title and one runner-up finish) as one of the best coaches in the country.

Forward Olivia Cochran (10.8 ppg and 6.6 rpg last season) and Jayda Curry (9.2 ppg) are the top returners, but the Cardinals also have a strong influx of newcomers. Guard Ja’Leah Williams (7.1 ppg and 4.5 assists for Miami last year) is the top transfer.

Louisville also has one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, highlighted by forward MacKenley Randolph, guards Taj Roberts and Imari Berry, who were all ranked in ASGR’s top 35. Another high-profile freshman is guard Izela Arenas, who is the daughter of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas. Louisville also brought in two promising players from Europe — 6-2 forward Yana Karamfilova from Bulgaria and guard Raina Tomasicka from Latvia.

“Jeff is going to give his young players a lot of minutes,” White said. “Their season really will depend on how quickly those players develop.”