March Madness is the ultimate stage for college basketball players to shine, and this year’s NCAA Women’s Tournament is no exception. Players like Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark have already become household names, and now, the 2025 field includes rising stars ready to make their mark. While JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers are already well-known, here are ten other players who could become the next big names in college basketball:
1. Georgia Amoore, Kentucky: A 5-foot-6 senior guard, Amoore has been instrumental for Kentucky with her 19.1 points and 6.9 assists per game, making her one of the top playmakers in the country.
2. Lauren Betts, UCLA: The 6-foot-7 center is averaging nearly a double-double with 19.6 points and 9.7 rebounds, and her defensive presence, including four blocks and four steals in the Big Ten tournament, makes her a major threat.
3. Kendall Bostic, Illinois: Bostic is averaging a double-double with 15.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, and her ability to stretch the floor offensively gives Illinois a powerful weapon in their quest for a Cinderella run.
4. Alyssa Durazo-Frescas, Grand Canyon: A sharpshooter with a 43.5% career average from beyond the arc, Durazo-Frescas is leading Division I with 124 made 3-pointers and could help Grand Canyon make a deep tournament run.
5. Azzi Fudd, UConn: After a tough few seasons plagued by injuries, Fudd is back and performing at a high level, averaging 43.4% from 3-point range and positioning herself as a breakout player for UConn.
6. Kiki Iriafen, Southern California: Alongside JuJu Watkins, Iriafen brings physicality and consistency, often posting 20-10 performances, and plays a key role in USC’s championship aspirations.
7. Chloe Kitts, South Carolina: While her individual numbers aren’t as flashy, Kitts has proven her ability to shine in critical moments, such as her SEC MVP performance, and is a crucial part of South Carolina’s success.
8. Olivia Miles, Notre Dame: A well-rounded player who averages 16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, Miles is a potential top-five WNBA pick and could further solidify her legacy with a strong tournament showing.
9. Aneesah Morrow, LSU: The nation’s leading rebounder with 13.6 per game, Morrow also contributes 18.5 points and is vital to LSU’s title hopes as one of the top players on the team.
10. Hailey Van Lith, TCU: After transferring from Louisville, Van Lith has been a standout at TCU, leading the Horned Frogs with 17.9 points and 5.3 assists as they look for their first-ever Final Four appearance.
These players, while not yet household names, have the talent to make a major impact in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament.