Four Stars Vie for Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Midway through the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season, the race for national player of the year has become a four-way battle. Notre Dame‘s Hannah Hidalgo, USC‘s JuJu Watkins, UConn‘s Paige Bueckers, and UCLA‘s Lauren Betts are all making strong cases for the prestigious award, with each player leading their top-10 ranked teams to impressive starts.

Hidalgo, a sophomore guard for No. 3 Notre Dame, has emerged as the front-runner, averaging 25.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 4.1 steals per game. Her standout performances against top opponents, including a 24-point, 8-assist effort in Notre Dame’s 74-61 victory over USC in November, have solidified her position as one of the nation’s most dominant players.

Watkins, USC’s sophomore sensation, has been equally impressive, ranking third in Division I scoring with 24.0 points per game. The Trojans’ only loss came against Notre Dame, but Watkins has since led her team to a 6-0 start in their first Big Ten season. Her 35-point performance in a win over Penn State showcased her ability to take over games.

Bueckers, the 2021 national player of the year, remains a key contender despite missing two games with a knee sprain. The UConn guard is averaging 23.5 points in her team’s losses to USC and Notre Dame and is on track to become the fastest player in UConn history to reach 2,000 career points.

Betts, UCLA’s 6-foot-6 center, has been the anchor for the undefeated and top-ranked Bruins. Averaging 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, Betts has transformed UCLA into a national title contender. Her defensive rating of 71.7 ranks in the 99th percentile nationally.

“Hannah Hidalgo is one of the most feared one-on-one perimeter defenders in the country, along with being among the best scorers,” said ESPN‘s Michael Voepel. “Her performance against top teams like USC, Texas, and UConn has been nothing short of spectacular.”

While Hidalgo currently leads the race, the competition remains fierce. Watkins’ scoring prowess, Bueckers’ efficiency, and Betts’ dominance in the paint ensure that the player of the year conversation will remain heated as the season progresses.

Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey has also garnered attention for her role in developing Hidalgo and Olivia Miles into one of the nation’s best backcourts. “Ivey has built a program that is cemented in the national title conversation,” said ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.

As the season heads toward March Madness, the battle for individual honors promises to be as thrilling as the race for the national championship.