Predicting every 2024-25 women’s conference player of the year

Charlie CremeFeb 28, 2025, 08:30 AM ET
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With some convention common seasons coming to an finish this weekend, postseason honors will begin to be handed out as early as subsequent week. Earlier than that, we wished an opportunity to amend our preseason predictions on the participant of the 12 months races in each convention. Why wait and let the conferences have all of the enjoyable?

A lot has modified since October: Some gamers had impacts that weren’t anticipated, loads of transfers labored out higher than anticipated, and accidents modified the POY favorites and groups’ fortunes within the standings. It has led to extremely tight competitions akin to within the SEC with a number of gamers nonetheless within the working, in addition to one-on-one battles within the Huge Ten with a showdown between JuJu Watkins and Lauren Betts.

Earlier than the formal bulletins start subsequent week, right here is one final have a look at what we predict may — and will — occur within the voting for participant of the 12 months in every convention.

All statistics are via Feb. 26 video games.

America East Convention

Kayla Cooper, 6-0, G, UAlbany

After making second-team all-conference as a sophomore after which two first groups within the following seasons, Cooper ought to lastly get the America East’s prime award in her graduate 12 months. She ranks prime 5 within the convention in scoring (17.6), rebounding (7.0), assists (3.1) and discipline purpose proportion (55.8%) for an Albany workforce in place to win its second regular-season title in three years.

Prime competitors: Anna Olson, 6-1, F, Vermont: 13.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 58.1 FG%

American Athletic Convention

Jordyn Jenkins, 6-0, F, UTSA

After a strong sophomore season at USC (14.8 PPG), Jenkins transferred to UTSA and have become a star, profitable Convention USA participant of the 12 months in 2023. This season, on the AAC’s finest workforce, she’s the main scorer at 18.5 factors, to associate with 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Jenkins appears to be like primed to take dwelling one other trophy.

Prime competitors: Tommisha Lampkin, 6-2, F, North Texas: 16.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 57.8 FG%

ACC

Hannah Hidalgo, 5-6, G, Notre Dame

Only a sophomore, Hidalgo is already an all-time Notre Dame nice. In December, she turned the quickest participant in program historical past to hit the 1,000-point plateau. A number one candidate for nationwide participant of the 12 months and arguably one of the best two-way participant within the nation, Hidaglo is second within the nation in scoring (24.7) and third in steals (3.8).

Prime competitors: Ta’Niya Latson, 5-8, G, Florida State: 26.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.6 APG, 39.0 3PT%

ASUN Convention

Emani Jefferson, 5-6, G, Florida Gulf Coast

After sweeping each main honor within the ASUN a 12 months in the past, Jefferson ought to add a second participant of the 12 months award. Her scoring numbers did dip (16.6 to 14.2), however her discipline purpose proportion (56.4%) and 3-point proportion (33.3%) are profession highs for an Eagles workforce that has misplaced just one convention recreation since her arrival from Memphis two years in the past.

Prime competitors: Edyn Battle, 6-1, F, Jacksonville: 20.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 40.9 FG%

Atlantic 10 Convention

Maggie Doogan, 6-2, F, Richmond

One of the best participant on the A-10’s finest workforce, Doogan leads the Spiders in scoring (17.2), rebounding (7.0), assists (3.7), blocks (1.1) and discipline purpose proportion (55.7%). With Doogan and fellow junior Rachel Ullstrom main the way in which, the Spiders have gained consecutive A-10 regular-season crowns after not profitable a convention title since 1990.

Prime competitors: Laura Ziegler, 6-2, F, Saint Joseph’s: 18.4 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 4.4 APG, 54.1 FG%

Huge East Convention

Paige Bueckers, 5-11, G, UConn

As an instance simply how good Bueckers has been statistically: That is the worst full season in her profession, but she ranks because the fourth-most environment friendly participant within the nation, in accordance with HerHoopStats.com, and is second in win shares. Bueckers leads the Huskies and is fifth within the convention at 18.7 factors and tops the Huge East in assists with 4.8. That makes her a probable first-team All-American and one of the best participant within the convention — if she will be able to maintain off the competitors from her younger teammate.

Prime competitors: Sarah Strong, 6-2, F, UConn: 15.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 3.7 RPG, 57.4 FG%

Huge Sky Convention

Sophie Glancey, 6-2, F, Northern Arizona

NAU has essentially the most prolific offense within the Huge Sky, largely as a result of Glancey is the convention’s prime scorer (18.1). She additionally leads in discipline purpose proportion (50.7%) and blocks (1.8). The Lumberjacks earlier 20-win season earlier than Glancey’s arrival was 2006. They’ve now hit the 20-win plateau in every of her three seasons in Flagstaff.

Prime competitors: Esmeralda Morales, 5-5, Montana State: 15.1 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 88.6 FT%

Huge South Convention

Ashley Hawkins, 5-6, G, Gardner-Webb

After profitable the Huge South’s newcomer of the 12 months in 2024, Hawkins lifted her recreation this season. She is averaging two extra factors per recreation (18.5) than the league’s subsequent finest scorer and tops the Huge South in assists (4.7) and minutes (35.7).

Prime competitors: Catherine Alben, 5-7, G, Charleston Southern: 16.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG

Huge 12 Convention

Sedona Prince, 6-7, C, TCU

Not coincidentally, the healthiest season of Prince’s profession has been her finest, and her affect on each ends of the court docket ought to give her the sting in a carefully contested player-of-the-year race. Prince is fourth within the nation with a career-high 3.2 blocks per recreation, whereas averaging 17.9 factors and 9.1 rebounds. Most significantly, Prince’s pairing with Hailey Van Lith has made this one of the best season in Horned Frogs’ historical past.

Prime competitors: JJ Quinerly, 5-8, G, West Virginia: 19.4 PPG, 3.1 APG, 3.2 SPG

Huge Ten Convention

JuJu Watkins, 6-2, G, USC

This race carefully aligns with the nationwide award with each Watkins and UCLA’s Lauren Betts on the prime of the lists — and the Huge Ten winner might be determined after Saturday’s rematch between the Trojans and the Bruins. It is Watkins who heads into that matchup because the chief after her 38-point, 8-block efficiency within the first assembly. She additionally leads the Huge Ten and is third within the nation in scoring at 24.2 factors per recreation and ranks within the prime 5 in steals (2.1) and blocks (2.0).

Prime competitors: Lauren Betts, 6-7, C, UCLA: 19.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 61.8 FG%

Huge West Convention

Sumayah Sugapong, 5-9, G, UC San Diego

Of their first 12 months of postseason eligibility after their transition to Division I, the Tritons are a top-four workforce within the Huge West and Sugapong is the chief cause why. After profitable the convention’s newcomer of the 12 months as a freshman final season, Sugapong leads the Huge West in assists (3.5) and steals (2.5), whereas scoring 14.1 factors, fifth within the Huge West.

Prime competitors: Savannah Tucker, 5-9, G, Long Beach State: 17.4 PPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 SPG

Coastal Athletic Affiliation

Jordyn Dorsey, 5-9, G, NC A&T

NC A&T hasn’t gained a regular-season championship because it was within the MEAC in 2019, however behind Dorsey, the Aggies are the front-runner within the CAA heading to the ultimate week of the common season. Bettering on her first-team all-CAA season in 2023-24, Dorsey leads the Aggies in scoring (15.2), assists (3.8) and steals (2.0).

Prime competitors: Taryn Barbot, 5-10, G, Charleston: 14.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.4 SPG

Convention USA

Anastasiia Boldyreva, 6-6, C, Middle Tennessee

As soon as a undertaking, Boldyreva’s regular enchancment has turned her into essentially the most impactful participant in CUSA. Final 12 months’s convention defensive participant of the 12 months improved and leads the nation in blocked pictures per recreation (3.5). Boldyreva is fourth within the league in scoring (15.8) and second in rebounding (10.2), each profession highs.

Prime competitors: Prencis Harden, 5-11, F, Kennesaw State: 15.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG

Horizon League

Mickayla Perdue, 5-7, G, Cleveland State

Solely 19 gamers in Division I are averaging greater than 20 factors — and one in every of them is Perdue (20.1). She additionally completed within the prime 5 within the convention in assists, discipline purpose proportion (43.1 %) free throw proportion (84.7%) and 3-pointers made per recreation (2.1). The Vikings wanted each little bit of that manufacturing after start line guard and final season’s Horizon Participant of the 12 months, Colbi Maples, went down due to a knee harm three video games into the season.

Prime competitors: Lauren Ross, 5-10, G, Purdue Fort Wayne: 16.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 46.0 3PT%

Ivy League

Harmoni Turner, 5-10, G, Harvard

After taking part in within the shadow of Ivy Leaguers Kaitlyn Chen at Princeton and Abbey Hsu at Columbia, this has been Turner’s season for the highlight. By no means averaging fewer than 15.9 factors in her 4 years, Turner is at a career-high 21.3, a quantity that additionally leads the Ivy. So do her 3.0 steals per recreation. Turner could be the primary Harvard participant to win the Ivy League Participant of the 12 months in 20 years.

Prime competitors: Kitty Henderson, 5-10, G, Columbia: 13.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.4 SPG

Metro Atlantic Athletic Convention

Meghan Andersen, 6-1, F, Fairfield

When Fairfield’s prime participant, Janelle Brown, went down due to a knee harm eight video games into the season, Anderson, final 12 months’s MAAC newcomer of the 12 months, moved to the forefront. Behind her 14.2 factors per recreation, the Stags have continued to dominate the convention with 40 straight wins in opposition to MAAC opponents.

Prime competitors: Ny’Ceara Pryor, 5-3, G, Sacred Heart: 19.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.1 APG, 2.4 SPG

Mid-American Convention

Ally Becki, 5-8, G, Ball State

A starter from the day she arrived on campus, Becki will depart Muncie, Indiana, as the most effective gamers in Ball State historical past. She has an opportunity to set this system’s profession assists mark and is averaging profession highs of 15.1 factors, 6.1 assists and a couple of.3 steals. She has the Cardinals in place to win their first convention title since 2003.

Prime competitors: Chellia Watson, 5-8, G, Buffalo: 20.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.5 APG

Mid-Japanese Athletic Convention

Diamond Johnson, 5-5, G, Norfolk State

After starting her profession with a season at Rutgers and two at NC State, Johnson has discovered a house with the Spartans and has been a dominant pressure within the MEAC. Her 19.0 factors and three.3 steals per recreation lead the convention and she or he’s second in assists at 4.2. With Johnson at level guard, Norfolk State has misplaced just one convention recreation in two years.

Prime competitors: Laila Lawrence, 6-1, F, Coppin State: 16.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG

Missouri Valley Convention

Katie Dinnebier, 5-8, G, Drake

After profitable the award a 12 months in the past, Dinnebier has been even higher as a senior. Her scoring has jumped three factors to 21.2 per recreation and she or he leads the MVC in assists (7.4) by almost two per recreation and averages 3.1 3-pointers, a quantity that ranks seventh within the nation.

Prime competitors: Katelyn Young, 6-1, F, Murray State: 21.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 54.9 FG%

Mountain West Convention

Allyson Fertig, 6-4, C, Wyoming

A four-year starter and double-figure scorer all through her four-year run in Laramie, Fertig has been one of the best participant within the MWC to not win participant of the 12 months. That ought to change this season. Her 19.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG and 58.7 discipline purpose proportion all lead the convention.

Prime competitors: Emma Ronsiek, 6-2, F, Colorado State: 18.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 35.6 3PT%

Northeast Convention

Teneisia Brown, 6-2, F, Fairleigh Dickinson

The NEC’s most dominant inside participant and environment friendly shooter (55.1 discipline purpose proportion), Brown averaged a double-double in league video games (13.8 factors, 10.3 rebounds), serving to the Knights clinch their third NEC common title in 4 years.

Prime competitors: Sharn Hayward, 5-6, G, Stonehill: 16.3 PPG, 2.9 APG, 39.1 3PT%

Ohio Valley Convention

Macy McGlone, 6-3, F, Eastern Illinois

The Panthers are having fun with their most profitable three-year run in additional than a decade and that is largely due to McGlone, who ought to win her second straight OVC prime participant honor. Her 17.7 factors per recreation in league play is second finest within the league, however she leads with a dominating 12.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 15 double-doubles.

Prime competitors: Raegan McCowan, 5-11, G, Western Illinois: 21.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 46.2 FG%

Patriot League

Ashley Sofilkanich, 6-3, F, Bucknell

After being named third-team all-Patriot League and to the all-defensive and rookie groups in 2024, Sofilkanich is now essentially the most dominant participant within the league. Her 19.9 factors and a couple of.2 blocks lead the Patriot League and her 8.5 rebounds ranks third.

Prime competitors: Maddie Albrecht, 6-0, G, Lehigh: 15.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 54.0 FG%

SEC

Aneesah Morrow, 6-1, F, LSU

Simply because the SEC is deep with high quality groups on the prime of the rankings, it is also deep with player-of-the-year contenders. The nod goes to Morrow — however barely — over the likes of Madison Booker, Georgia Amoore and Mikayla Blakes. Morrow’s two-way play provides her the sting. Her 17.9 factors is sweet. Her nation-leading 14.2 rebounds is astonishing. And she or he’s fourth within the convention at 2.5 steals.

Prime competitors: Amoore, 5-6, G, Kentucky: 18.9 PPG, 6.0 APG, 32.6 3PT%, 36.3 MPG

Southern Convention

Evangelia Paulk, 6-0, F, Wofford

Final week, Paul turned the primary participant within the NCAA since 2023 to report a triple-double that included steals. Her 17 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 steals have been the second triple-double in Terriers historical past. She’s fifth within the nation in steals (3.5) and is third within the SoCon at 13.0 factors.

Prime competitors: Caia Elisaldez, 5-5, G, Chattanooga: 13.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 4.2 APG

Southland Convention

Alexius Horne, 5-9, F, SE Louisiana

The Southland doesn’t have a really dominant participant this season, nevertheless it does have a dominant workforce. The Woman Lions have already clinched their first outright regular-season title and Horne has been the catalyst. Her 14.5 factors per recreation and 42.7% capturing from 3-point vary are every third finest within the convention.

Prime competitors: Akasha Davis, 6-2, F, Lamar: 12.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 58.1 FG%

Summit League

Grace Larkins, 5-9, G, South Dakota

The Coyotes aren’t the risk to in-state rival and perennial Summit League winner South Dakota State the way in which they was, however Larkins’ manufacturing is an excessive amount of to disregard. She leads the convention in scoring (23.9), rebounding (9.3) and assists (5.6), and is on tempo to grow to be the primary ladies’s Division I participant in 25 years to guide a league in all three classes. She has a 45-point and a 47-point recreation this season, and her scoring common trails solely Latson and Hidalgo.

Prime competitors: Brooklyn Meyer, 6-2, F, South Dakota State: 17.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 64.3 FG%

Solar Belt Convention

Peyton McDaniel, 5-6, G, James Madison

The Dukes are one recreation from an unbeaten Solar Belt season, and McDaniel and her versatility are the centerpiece. She leads JMU in scoring (16.2), rebounding (8.5), steals (1.8), 3-pointers and free throw proportion (44.3 3PT%).

Prime competitors: Aislynn Hayes, 5-8, G, Marshall: 17.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.9 APG

Southwestern Athletic Convention

Destiny Brown, 6-1, G, Alcorn State

Brown’s consistency has anchored Alcorn State for 3 seasons. For the second consecutive season, Brown will end within the SWAC’s prime 10 in factors, rebounds, blocks and discipline purpose proportion.

Prime competitors: Kalia Walker, 5-5, G, Alabama A&M: 15.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 36.4 3PT%

Western Athletic Convention

Trinity San Antonio, 5-10, G, Grand Canyon

It is arduous to discover a WAC statistic that does not embody San Antonio’s title close to the highest. A Puerto Rico nationwide workforce member this summer time, San Antonio ranks within the prime 5 in scoring, assists, steals, discipline purpose proportion, free throw proportion and assist-to-turnover ratio, and has led the Lopes to their first WAC championship.

Prime competitors: Avery Brittingham, 6-1, F, UT Arlington: 13.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 4.3 APG

West Coast Convention

Yvonne Ejim, 6-1, F, Gonzaga

The Zags are having their worst season since 2015-16, however Ejim’s fifth 12 months in this system has been an enormous one. After profitable the WCC Participant of the 12 months final season and taking part in within the Olympics for Canada, Ejim turned Gonzaga’s all-time main scorer and is averaging 21.1 factors and eight.9 rebounds, each of that are profession bests.

Prime competitors: Maisie Burnham, 6-0, G, Portland: 17.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 50.0 FG%

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