As the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season approaches, the landscape has shifted significantly. Only eight of the fourteen previous Women’s Player of the Year recipients are returning to their respective teams, highlighting the impact of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements on the sport’s stability. With the season set to begin in less than two weeks, attention turns to the leading candidates for the Player of the Year title across various conferences.
America East Conference
Adrianna Smith, a 6-foot forward from the Maine Black Bears, stands out as a top contender. After winning the America East Player of the Year in 2023 and achieving a conference-record 22 double-doubles in 2024, Smith missed the previous season due to a knee injury. Her impressive statistics from the 2023-24 season include an average of 16.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
Her primary competitor is Eva DeChent of the New Hampshire Wildcats, who averaged 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game last season.
Atlantic Coast Conference
In the ACC, Hannah Hidalgo from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has emerged as a leading candidate. Over her first two seasons, she has established herself as one of the best two-way guards in the nation, averaging 23.8 points and 3.7 steals per game last season. With significant departures from the team, Hidalgo’s scoring opportunities are expected to increase.
Challenging her for the title will be Zoe Brooks of the NC State Wolfpack, who averages 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Big East Conference
The Big East sees Sarah Strong of the UConn Huskies as the frontrunner. In her freshman season, she averaged 16.4 points and led her team with 8.9 rebounds. Her defensive prowess and offensive skills make her a formidable candidate, with little competition expected from her teammate Azzi Fudd, who averaged 13.6 points last season.
Big 12 Conference
At TCU, Olivia Miles has transferred from Notre Dame and is anticipated to excel under coach Mark Campbell’s system. Miles averaged 15.4 points per game last season and demonstrated significant improvement in her three-point shooting. Her main competitor in the Big 12 will be Audi Crooks from Iowa State, who averaged 23.4 points and 7.5 rebounds last season.
Pac-12 Conference
In the Pac-12, Lauren Betts of UCLA is emerging as a potential favorite for the Player of the Year award. Last season, Betts averaged nearly a double-double with 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, showcasing her shot-blocking ability. Yarden Garzon from Maryland poses a challenge, having averaged 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in her previous season at Indiana.
Southeastern Conference
In the SEC, Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns is on track to secure a third consecutive Player of the Year title. After winning the Big 12 award as a freshman, she transitioned seamlessly into the SEC, improving her three-point shooting significantly. Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina, who averaged an impressive 25.2 points and 14.6 rebounds per game at Florida State, is expected to be her toughest competitor.
As the season unfolds, the competition for Player of the Year promises to be intense, with numerous talented athletes vying for this prestigious title across various conferences. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these candidates perform in the coming weeks.
