Top 8 Freshmen to Watch in Women’s College Basketball 2025

Rookie seasons in women’s college basketball? They’re always full of excitement and unpredictability. Every year, the freshman class shakes things up and brings new star power to the sport.

The 2025-26 season won’t be any different. With last year’s standout rookies and a fresh batch of talent, it’s shaping up to be a wild ride.

From Team USA gold medalists to high school phenoms, here’s a handful of rookies you’ll want to keep tabs on.

The Rising Stars of Women’s College Basketball

Last season, we saw freshmen like Mikayla Blakes turn Vanderbilt into must-see TV. Sarah Strong played a huge role in UConn’s national championship run.

Freshmen such as Delaney Gibb, Syla Swords, and Tilda Trygger all made their marks too. Now, a new group of rookies is about to step into the spotlight.

Davidson: A Versatile Guard with Team USA Experience

Davidson stands 6-foot-2 and played a big part in Team USA’s gold at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup. She averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.1 steals per game—pretty impressive stuff.

USC’s counting on her this season, especially with JuJu Watkins out. Davidson’s game could be the difference in their Big Ten chase.

Betts: A Double-Double Machine for UCLA

Betts helped Team USA snag that U19 World Cup win, too. She’s not as tall as her All-American sister Lauren, but she’s got a more versatile scoring touch.

She crashes the boards hard and blocks shots with a ton of energy. UCLA’s odds for the Final Four look a whole lot better with Betts around.

Chavez: The Scoring Sensation from Texas

Chavez, a 5-foot-11 guard from Texas, was one of the country’s hottest recruits. She racked up 4,796 points in high school and averaged over 35 points per game as a senior.

Oklahoma landed her, beating out South Carolina, LSU, and UCLA. With Chavez in the lineup, Oklahoma could surprise a few people this season.

Skinner: Duke’s New Point Guard Prodigy

Skinner is a 6-foot point guard out of Utah and might be one of the best Kara Lawson’s ever coached at Duke. She’s got sharp court vision, real quickness, and a creative approach to the game.

She picked Duke over Iowa, TCU, and Notre Dame. Blue Devils fans have plenty to look forward to with Skinner running the show.

Brooks: UNC’s Exciting New Talent

Brooks is a 6-foot-1 guard from Maryland who landed at No. 13 on ESPN’s top 100 for 2025. She turned heads in the Jordan Brand game and had a standout high school run.

Originally, she committed to Tennessee, but after coach Kellie Harper left, Brooks switched to UNC. Tar Heels fans are buzzing about her debut.

Other Notable Freshmen to Watch

There’s more talent coming in this year, and some names just keep popping up. Here are a few more freshmen you might want to remember:

• Deal: This 6-foot guard from Mater Dei High in California sits at No. 23 in her class, according to ESPN. She can score and create, and Iowa’s lucky to have her.
• Alexander: Cincinnati’s never had a recruit rated this high. Alexander, a 6-foot-1 guard, decided to stay home and play for the Bearcats, turning down Ohio State and Illinois. That’s got the city talking.
• Monje: Hailing from the Canary Islands, Monje is a 6-foot-2 forward with Spanish national team experience. Davidson gets a player who’s already been tested on the international stage.

The Future of Women’s College Basketball

The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be an exciting one. A new generation of talent is ready to take the spotlight.

Freshmen like Aaliyah Crump, Agot Makeer, and Blanca Quiñonez look set to make a real impact for their teams. It’s hard not to feel a little curious about how these young stars will change the game.

For more in-depth coverage on these rising stars and their impact on the upcoming season, check out the full article on SBNation.