Top 5 Players ruling the charts at Women’s March Madness: Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo and more

The Women’s March Madness season is finally upon us and college basketball players are giving their best shot at building a legacy. From Juju Watkins to Paige Bueckers, Hannah Higaldo, and more, all players have set their eyes on the NCAA title. However, standout players who do not win the trophy will also be recognized for their performance. We are looking at our predictions for the top five standout players this season. These young athletes have not only cemented their position in the march madness but have also inspired many with their grit and determination.




Juju Watkins from the USC Trojans is now recognized as one of the top players in the country. The 19-year-old is renowned for her prowess in scoring. She also received the title of Most Valuable Player twice, the 2022 FIBA Under-17 World Cup as well as the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship. Her leadership was showcased when she led the Trojans to their first Big Ten regular-season title as well as the No. 1 seed for two consecutive years.


Hannah Hidalgo, a sophomore at Notre Dame is one of the topmost players in women's basketball. She graduated as the New Jersey State Player of the Year. Post this, she broke a record when she scored 26 points In the McDonald's All-American Game. Additionally, in December last year, she became the fastest player that scored 1,000 points for Notre Dame.



Playing for the UConn Huskies, Paige Bueckers was the first freshman from UConn to win all four Player of the Year awards in college that she was eligible for. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, she led the Huskies to the final four. Additionally, she has won three gold medals at the youth international level. She was titled the Most Valuable Player in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and is a gold medalist in the Youth Olympics. She was also named the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year back in 2019.


Floria State Seminoles player Ta'Niya Latson came into the spotlight after leading Westlake to their first GEICO Nationals win as a junior as well as two state title wins. Her streak of continued success got her selected in the McDonald's All-American Game, where she was rated a five-star recruit by ESPN. Additionally, she also won the USBWA National Freshman of the Year, as well as the WBCA Freshman of the Year award.


UCLA Bruins star Lauren Marie Betts was ranked as the number one recruit by ESPN in Colorado in the 2022 class. The same year, she also won the title of Gatorade Player of the Year and WBCA High School Player of the Year. Post the success, she also played at the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
Also Read: 2025 March Madness: Full Women's NCAA tournament schedule, key dates, game times and more