Midseason Women’s College Basketball Awards: Hidalgo Leads Player of the Year Race

In the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season, the race for the national player of the year is more competitive than ever. With four standout players from top-ranked teams vying for the prestigious award, fans are in for a thrilling ride.

Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, USC’s JuJu Watkins, UConn’s Paige Bueckers, and UCLA’s Lauren Betts are all making strong cases for why they deserve to be named the best player in the country. Each of these athletes brings unique skills and impressive stats to the table, making it a season to remember.

Hannah Hidalgo: The Rising Star from Notre Dame

Hannah Hidalgo has taken the college basketball world by storm this season. As a sophomore, she has already proven herself to be one of the most formidable players on the court.

Hidalgo’s performance against top teams like USC and UConn has been nothing short of spectacular. In Notre Dame’s victory over USC, she scored 24 points and dished out 8 assists, showcasing her ability to dominate both offensively and defensively.

Impressive Stats and Key Performances

Hidalgo ranks second in Division I in scoring and steals, with an average of 25.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 4.1 steals per game. Her shooting accuracy has also improved significantly, with a 50.4% overall shooting percentage and 45.8% from beyond the arc.

Notable performances include:

• 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in an overtime win against Texas
• 29 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals in a victory over UConn

Hidalgo’s ability to perform under pressure and her consistent improvement make her a top contender for the national player of the year award.

JuJu Watkins: USC’s Dynamic Guard

JuJu Watkins, the sophomore sensation from USC, continues to build on her impressive freshman season. She has improved her overall game, becoming more efficient in scoring and defense.

Watkins’ ability to create plays for her teammates and reduce turnovers has made her an invaluable asset to the Trojans.

Chasing Records and Making History

Watkins is on pace to break Caitlin Clark’s all-time NCAA scoring record, a testament to her scoring prowess. She has already had several standout games this season, including a 35-point performance against Penn State.

Watkins’ contributions go beyond scoring, as she also averages 4.3 steals and blocks per game, making her a well-rounded player.

Her ability to rise to the occasion in big games, such as USC’s win over UConn, further cements her status as one of the top players in the country.

Paige Bueckers: UConn’s Steady Leader

Paige Bueckers, the 2021 national player of the year, continues to be a dominant force for UConn. Despite battling injuries, Bueckers has maintained her efficiency and scoring ability.

Her effective field goal percentage of 62.8% is a career best, and she is on track to reach 2,000 career points faster than any player in UConn history.

Key Contributions and Leadership

Bueckers’ leadership on the court is evident in her performances against top teams. She scored 29 points in games against Ole Miss and North Carolina, and averaged 23.5 points in UConn’s losses to USC and Notre Dame.

Her return from a knee sprain is highly anticipated, as she continues to be a key player for the Huskies.

Lauren Betts: UCLA’s Dominant Center

Lauren Betts has been a game-changer for UCLA this season. As the anchor of the Bruins’ defense, Betts has helped transform the team into the No. 1-ranked squad in the country.

Her consistent scoring and rebounding have made her a reliable presence on the court.

Transformative Impact and Defensive Prowess

Betts has scored in double figures in every game this season, with her lowest output being 11 points, accompanied by 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks in a win over South Carolina. She is the sixth-most-efficient player in the country, according to HerHoopsStats.com, and leads a defense that ranks second nationally in opponents’ field goal percentage.

Betts’ ability to impact the game on both ends of the court makes her a formidable candidate for the national player of the year award.

Freshman Standouts and Top Transfers

While the race for the national player of the year is heating up, several freshmen and transfers have also made significant impacts this season. UConn’s Sarah Strong has been a revelation, drawing comparisons to legends like Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore. Her versatility and impressive stats make her a standout freshman.

All-Freshman Team

• Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt, guard
• Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State, guard
• Joyce Edwards, South Carolina, forward
• Sarah Strong, UConn, forward
• Syla Swords, Michigan, guard

In the transfer category, Georgia Amoore from Kentucky has made a significant impact. Her leadership and scoring ability have helped turn the Wildcats into a competitive team in the SEC.

Top Transfer: Georgia Amoore

Amoore’s move to Kentucky, along with her former Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks, has revitalized the program. She is the leading scorer and ranks second in the country in assists per game. Her contributions have been crucial to Kentucky’s success this season.

Coaching Excellence

The success of these players is also a testament to the excellent coaching they receive. Notre Dame’s Niele Ivey and UCLA’s Cori Close have been instrumental in developing their teams and players.

Top Coaches

• Niele Ivey, Notre Dame
• Cori Close, UCLA

Ivey’s development of Hidalgo and Olivia Miles has made Notre Dame a formidable team. Meanwhile, Close’s leadership has turned UCLA into the top-ranked team in the country. Both coaches have their teams poised for deep runs in the NCAA tournament.

As the season progresses, the race for the national player of the year and other accolades will continue to captivate fans. With so many talented players and teams, the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season is shaping up to be one for the ages.

For more detailed insights and updates, visit the full article on ESPN.