NCAA Women's College Basketball National Player of the Year: Early Power Rankings

Here's an early look at the top contenders for player of the year awards in women's college basketball.

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) celebrates scoring a three point shot during a NCAA women's basketball game between No. 8 Notre Dame and No. 2 UConn at Purcell Pavilion on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hoops fans have already been treated to several great matchups and many spectacular individual performances thus far during the women's college basketball season; which makes narrowing down the contenders for National Player of the Year a difficult endeavor.

As is the case with any rankings list like this, some deserving players will be left off. For instance, it was almost painful not to include Olivia Miles of Notre Dame in the top five. She shouldn't be punished for having a terrific teammate, and if she continues her all-around wizardry as a lead guard, she will surely take someone's spot.

LSU's Flau'jae Johnson is among the other players to look out for, but the Tigers will need to face some stiffer competition first. They do have Tennessee and South Carolina coming up on the schedule.

Without further adieu, here are the current top contenders in this early version of player power rankings.

5. Ta'Niya Latson: Florida State

Mar 8, 2024; Greensboro, NC, USA: Florida State Seminoles guard Ta'Niya Latson (00) drives the ball in the second half against the Syracuse Orange at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-Imagn Images / David Yeazell-Imagn Images

Ta'Niya Latson has flown mostly under the radar this season, but she deserves recognition for what she has done for the Seminoles. Latson is currently leading the country in scoring at almost 28 points per game. Where she winds up by the end of the year will likely be largely dependent on how Florida State does in the stronger part of its schedule. However, her production to this point should not go unnoticed.

4. Paige Bueckers: UConn

Jan 1, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers (5) makes a move on Marquette guard Halle Vice (22) during the first half of their game Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY Sports

UConn fans can breathe a sigh of relief that Bueckers appears to be okay after an injury scare Sunday against Villanova. Paige has been the subject of much conversation this season given she is the presumptive number one pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft and since the Huskies have lost the most high-profile games they've played, her performance has come under scrutiny. Still, despite any pleas to see her be more aggressive, Bueckers remains the head of the snake for UConn and has been very efficient to this juncture as a scorer and playmaker.

3. Lauren Betts: UCLA

UCLA's Lauren Betts (51) shoots over Indiana's Lilly Meister (52) during the Indiana versus UCLA women's game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Betts has previously called for UCLA to get some respect. And given the Bruins are ranked first in the country and handed South Carolina its only loss, her ask was certainly a fair one. Betts has been a dominant presence inside, commanding the attention of defenses and putting up monster numbers regardless. She is nearly averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 61.5% from the floor. Meaning the ceiling is very high for where she and her team can wind up.

2. JuJu Watkins: USC

Dec 29, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) shoots a free throw against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Watkins was the most celebrated player coming into the season, along with Bueckers. And JuJu is living up to the hype. She got the best of the head-to-head matchup with the UConn star and it's impossible not to salivate at her potential given her scoring prowess at her size. If there's one knock on Watkins it is that her shot selection and field goal percentage could stand to improve a bit, but that's nitpicking considering what she's already doing for the Trojans. Watkins has scored at least 20 points in 13 consecutive contests.

1. Hannah Hidalgo: Notre Dame

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) calls a play during a NCAA women's basketball game between No. 8 Notre Dame and No. 2 UConn at Purcell Pavilion on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hidalgo has fairly clearly been the best player in the country to this point. Not only does the Irish star do something to excite fans nearly every game, but she has stood out the most in the biggest matchups of the season. Hidalgo won her showdowns with both Bueckers and Watkins and Notre Dame has those victories over UConn and USC, as well as wins over Texas and North Carolina. Hidalgo's competitive fire cannot be ignored and her production matches it. She is posting 25.9 points and 4 steals per contest in getting it done on both ends.