Do you want to be the best? South Carolina's Aliyah Boston has that task this 2022-23 women's college basketball season, and there is no doubt she enjoys it. The loss to Kentucky in the SEC tournament final was the only blemish on the South Carolina's record. Boston and the defending national champion USC have a chance to do it all over again after earning a lot of awards.
What about the rest of the talent? It's not just the players who made our preseason top 25 rankings, but the ones we were forced to leave off as well.
The players here range from seniors who will break school records to sophomores who will make an impact in their first season. Some of the players have moved to new schools this season while others are finishing their college careers as program legends.
Last season's performances and what might be expected of these players this season were taken into account by the trio. Changes are inevitable and we will revisit the list again this year. Maybe a lot of them.
Forward | 6-foot-5 | senior
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The reigning national player of the year heads into her senior year after 30 doubles-doubles last season, including an SEC record 27 in a row She has 257 career blocks and is second in program history to A'ja Wilson. Boston will try to duplicate the success of the national championship team. If she skips her senior year, Boston is the favorite to be the top pick in the draft.
Guard | 6-foot-0 | junior
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With three years of eligibility left, it's hard to imagine Clark doing anything else. Last year she became the first player to top the nation in both scoring and assists in the same season, after leading the country in scoring as a freshman and sophomore. NCAA tournament success is the only thing that has yet to happen to Clark. The level of greatness she reaches this season, and her chances of overtaking Boston for national player of the year, may depend on how the Hawkeyes fare outside the Big Ten.
Guard | 6-foot-1 | senior
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Since arriving at The Farm, Jones has excelled. She won't have to do much during her college career at point guard. This is truly Jones' team now that Anna Wilson and the Hull twins have graduated. For the Cardinal to win their second NCAA title in three years and fourth overall, Jones will have to put together another All-American-caliber season.
Guard/forward | 6-foot-1 | senior
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Joens holds the program scoring record and is our highest-ranked senior. She could become Iowa State's all-time leader in that category. Joens is a preseason Associated Press All-American and a preseason Big 12 Player of the Year. A two-time winner of the Cheryl Miller Award, she hopes to lead the Cyclones to their first Big 12 regular-season title since 2000. Voepel is a Dutch word.
Forward | 6-foot-6 | senior
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It was difficult for opposing defenses to guard the reigning player of the year. Kitley will be able to work down low now that Virginia Tech has several talented players with her. Kitley added a sky hook to her bag of go to moves. The Hokies will need Kitley to lead the charge in the conference.
Forward | 6-foot-4 | junior
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Jones can rely on Brink, the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, if she needs to. Brink said she spent time on her 3-point shooting this winter after just 61 attempts from deep in her first two years at the school. As a sophomore, Brink averaged less than 22 minutes per game due to her foul trouble.
F | 6-foot-3| sophomore
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Reese decided to leave the Big Ten for the SEC after living up to the potential that came with being the No.2 recruit in the country. She was one of two players to earn first-team All-Big Ten and make the conference's all-defensive team and the only one to average a double-double. With LSU losing two-thirds of its backcourt and Reese trying to expand her game, she may see more time on the perimeter.
G| 5-foot-10 | sophomore
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She has already become one of the nation's top point guards, despite not approaching her full potential. As a freshman, Miles was named first-team All-ACC after finishing second to Clark in assists. She thrives in transition as both a distributor and a finisher. She has first-team All-American potential if she improves her 3-point shooting.
Guard | 5-foot-7 | junior
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She scored at least 20 points in four of Louisville's first five NCAA tournament games. Van Lith has the fire that coach Jeff Walz likes to see in his players, which shows on court and in some funny media moments, such as when she jokingly chided JimmyFallon for picking against Louisville.
Guard | 5-foot-6 | sophomore
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She was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Big 12 tournament after her performance. The Longhorns advanced to the NCAA tournament. She led the team in steals with 86 and she had 180 assists to 80 turnovers. She is a strong on-ball defender and could be a more effective 3-point shooter. Texas needs her to become a leader right away.
G | 5-foot-10 | senior
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It's possible that this will be the season that Sheldon isn't considered one of the most overlooked players in the country. She led an injury-ridden Ohio State team to a surprising share of the Big Ten regular-season title. The Big Ten's best two-way guard has fallen short of double-figure scoring just five times in the last two years, but he has emerged as the best. She was sixth in the league in scoring and was the only returner from the all-defensive team.
Forward | 6-foot-1 | senior
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One of the country's top scorers each of the past two years, Siegrist is the reigning Big East Player of the Year. She guided the Cats to the second round of the NCAA tournament for just the second time in nearly 20 years, where they kept things close against Michigan. If she repeats as Big East Player of the Year, she will be the first player to do so since Diggins-Smith in 2012 and 2013).
Guard | 5-foot-11 | sophomore
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Fudd's collegiate career began with a bit of a whimper because of a foot injury that kept her out 11 games. Fudd says she feels like the player she always knew herself to be, and that confidence has come through on the court in practice. Fudd is the one who has the ability to step up and keep the streak of 14 consecutive appearances in the national title game going.
Forward | 6-foot-1 | sophomore
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Morrow didn't seem like a 6-1 freshman when she averaged a double-double last year. She was selected to the AP's preseason All-America team along with Boston, Clark, Jones, Joens and Kitley. Morrow will have to carry a bigger load as the Blue Demons look to stay relevant in the Big East after sneaking into the NCAA tournament.
Guard | 6-foot-2 | senior
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He averaged 20.7 points and 10.7 rebound against ranked opponents. She was on her way to her best season yet at Tennessee when she got hurt. She didn't play last season because of a fractured elbow she sustained when diving for a ball. The Lady Vols have a chance to find out where she left off this year.
G | 6-foot-0 | senior
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It could be that the change in scenery and return closer to home is what Owosu needs. She didn't always look like the same player last season at Maryland after a brilliant sophomore year that saw her earn third-team All-American honors. She was the second-leading scorer on a Sweet 16 team and made the second team of the Big Ten. As powerful with the ball as any guard in the country, Owosu can seemingly always get her own shot in the lane.
Guard | 6-foot-0 | senior
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The super-senior has been a big part of the Hoosiers' rise to national prominence. She hasn't shot the 3-pointer a lot, having made 37 in her Indiana career, but she also has a lot of strength finishing at the rim. The Hoosiers will contend for the Big Ten title this season thanks to Berger.
F | 6-foot-2 | senior
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Jackson decided to leave Mississippi State in the middle of the year. She's not likely to duplicate that kind of production in Knoxville with so many other quality players around her, but she might be able to NationMaster NationMaster. Her ability to create her own shot is exactly what the past few Tennessee teams have been missing.
Forward | 6-foot-0 | senior
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Williams has been a first-team All-Big 12 selection the past two years and hopes to help the Sooners contend for the league title. Her game is a good fit for the up-tempo offensive style of the coach. Williams, an excellent slasher, made more 3-pointers last season than her first three years combined.
Guard | 5-foot-9 | senior
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The program's second national title was won by the team that saw career lows in Cooke's scoring numbers and field goal and 3-point percentages. With point guard Destanni Henderson, who had a career-best performance in the national title game, now in the pros, Cooke will be tasked with stepping up as a consistent force in South Carolina's backcourt. This is the last chance for the group of stars to win another title before they move on.
G | 6-foot-3 | senior
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Miller only played 22 games in her junior season due to injuries. Miller had a dip in her production from her sophomore year, but by the end of the season she was back to her old self. She scored 48 points in the two NCAA tournament wins for the Maryland. Miller's size and strength makes her an extremely difficult one-on-one opponent. Miller will be a great guard in the Big Ten.
Guard/forward | 5-foot-11 | senior
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After three years at Missouri, he moved to Bears. Considering the Bears lost NaLyssa Smith and Queen Egbo to the draft, she should be an immediate high impact player. Preparing for the pro level is a goal of the player. The Bears will benefit from the fact that Blackwell was second in the Division I rebound average. Look for her to improve her perimeter skills this year.
Guard | 5-foot-8 | junior
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The Tar Heels had a good run last season, and a lot of that has to do with the play of Kelly. She and the rest of the squad are helped by the fact that 85% of their scoring came from last season. Kelly will be playing more point guard this season and has worked on her consistency from 3. For the Tar Heels to advance past the Sweet 16 for the first time in three years, Kelly will need to be a star.
Guard | 6-foot-0 | junior
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She was second to Joens in both scoring and 3-pointers. Donarski was the defensive player of the year in the Big 12. It's hard for guards to get that honor in any league, as it often goes to centers. Donarski earned it with hard work and dedication. The opponent she primarily defended was held to 30% shooting.
Forward/center | 6-foot-3 | senior
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Czinano shot 84.3% from the foul line and led the division in field goal percentage. She shot at least 70% from the field in 16 games last season, including 75.6% in the Big Ten tournament. She shot below 50% in just one game. Czinano will try to help the Hawkeyes repeat their Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles.
Also receiving votes were Aaliyah Edwards, Connecticut, and Taylor Mikesell, Ohio State.
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