TOP 5 NCAA Women's Basketball Players in the 2026-2027 TOP 5
Oct 21, 2026
TOP WOMEN"S PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS SEASON
TOP 5 NCAA Women's Basketball Players in the 2026-2027 Season
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Oct 21, 2026
JuJu Watkins - Guard - USC Trojans
JuJu Watkins is coming into this season as one of the biggest names in women's college basketball, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about what she can do with a chance to lead the Trojans on a deep tournament run. She has already shown that she can take over a game when her team needs her most. What makes her so special is her ability to score in different ways. She can create her own shot, attack the basket, and make things difficult for opposing defenses. USC also has plenty of young talent around her, including Jazzy Davidson, which should make this team even more dangerous. Watkins was named the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year heading into the 2026-27 season, and the expectations are going to be high. If she can put everything together and get USC playing its best basketball when it matters most, the Trojans could be one of the toughest teams in the country to beat. She is coming back from a torn ACL in her right knee. She had to sit out the entire 2025-2026 season to recover after the injury in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2025. As she prepares to return to the court, fans across America are eager to see her back in action for USC.
Sarah Strong - Forward - UConn Huskies
Sarah Strong is another player who should be near the top of everyone's list heading into this season. Strong is coming off a tremendous year and enters the 2026-27 campaign as the reigning National Player of the Year. That is a pretty impressive accomplishment, especially considering how much talent there is across women's college basketball right now. What I like about Strong is how much she can do on the floor. She has the size to compete inside, the skill to score from the perimeter, and the versatility to make an impact on both ends of the court. UConn has built a reputation for developing great players, and Strong looks like the next star ready to carry that tradition forward. The Huskies will have plenty of competition this season, especially with South Carolina looking strong once again, but Strong gives them a real chance to compete for another national championship. If she continues to improve, there is no telling how high her ceiling could be.
Joyce Edwards - Forward - South Carolina Gamecocks
Joyce Edwards is a name I am really interested in watching this season. South Carolina always seems to have a roster full of talented players, but Edwards has a chance to take on an even bigger role as the Gamecocks look to make another run at a national championship. She brings a strong combination of size, athleticism, and scoring ability that makes her a difficult matchup for opposing teams. Edwards can attack the basket, finish around the rim, and use her physicality to create opportunities inside. She also has the chance to become an even more important part of South Carolina's offense as she gains more experience. With Dawn Staley leading the way, the Gamecocks have another talented roster and are entering the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25. Edwards will be a big part of their plans, especially when the team faces some of the best competition in the country. If she continues to develop her game, she could be one of the biggest breakout stars of the season.
Hannah Hidalgo - Point Guard - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Hannah Hidalgo is one of the most exciting guards in women's college basketball, and I think she is going to be a player worth watching all season long. Hidalgo has already proven that she can put up huge numbers, setting the ACC single-season scoring record with 909 points last season. That kind of production tells you everything you need to know about the impact she can have on a game. She plays with incredible energy, puts constant pressure on opposing defenses, and has the ability to create scoring opportunities even when things are not going her team's way. What makes her even more valuable is the way she competes on the defensive end. Hidalgo can disrupt passing lanes, pressure the ball, and turn defensive stops into easy points on the other end. Notre Dame will need her to be a leader as the Fighting Irish take on another challenging schedule in the ACC. If she can keep producing at a high level while helping her teammates get involved, Notre Dame could be a dangerous team when March Madness rolls around.
Mikayla Blakes - Guard - Vanderbilt Commodores
Mikayla Blakes is another player who deserves plenty of attention heading into the 2026-27 season. Blakes enters the year after earning SEC Preseason Player of the Year honors, which shows just how much respect she has earned around the conference. Vanderbilt has been building momentum, and having a player like Blakes leading the way gives the Commodores a real chance to compete against some of the best teams in the country. She has the ability to score from the perimeter, attack the basket, and create opportunities when the offense needs a spark. Playing in the SEC is never easy, especially with teams like South Carolina, Texas, and LSU bringing plenty of talent every season. That is what makes Blakes such an interesting player to follow. She will have plenty of opportunities to prove herself against top competition, and those matchups could help determine just how far Vanderbilt can go this year. If she continues to produce and takes another step forward as a leader, do not be surprised if she becomes one of the most talked-about players in the country by the end of the season.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Women's college basketball is almost back, and the 2026-27 season has the potential to be a great one. We have established stars looking to build on incredible seasons, talented players ready to take the next step, and programs all over the country that believe they have a chance to compete for a national championship. JuJu Watkins, Sarah Strong, Joyce Edwards, Hannah Hidalgo, and Mikayla Blakes are five players I will be keeping a close eye on this season, but there are plenty of other names that could end up making a big impact once the games get underway. With teams like South Carolina, UConn, and USC entering the season with championship expectations, the competition should be exciting from the very beginning. Now we just have to wait and see which players rise to the occasion and which teams are still standing when March Madness comes around.
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