Caitlin Clark, the NCAA's all-time scoring leader from Iowa, has been recognized for her outstanding performance by being named to The Associated Press All-America team for the third consecutive year. She joins an elite group of players as the 11th individual to achieve this honor three times.
Clark, who led the nation in scoring with an average of 31.9 points per game and topped the assists category with 8.9, has solidified her place as one of the most dominant players in women's college basketball. She became the first Division I player to achieve consecutive 1,000-point seasons and surpass 3,000 points and 1,000 assists for her career.
Joining Clark on the first team are standout players such as Stanford's Cameron Brink, UConn's Paige Bueckers, and freshmen JuJu Watkins of USC and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame. Watkins and Hidalgo are only the fourth and fifth freshmen to make the AP team since its inception in 1994-95, joining the ranks of other notable freshmen such as Courtney Paris, Maya Moore, and Bueckers.
Brink, who averaged 17.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, emerged as a dominant force on both ends of the court. She became only the second player in the past 24 years to record 100 blocks and 100 assists in a single season, a feat previously achieved by Breanna Stewart.
Bueckers, who returned to form after overcoming injuries, showcased her versatility by excelling in scoring, rebounding, and assists for UConn. Her well-rounded game and basketball IQ have earned her praise from coach Geno Auriemma.
Additionally, USC's JuJu Watkins and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo made significant impacts in their freshman seasons, with Watkins making history as the first USC player to earn first-team AP honors and Hidalgo leading the nation in steals while contributing across multiple statistical categories.
The AP second and third teams featured standout players such as Elizabeth Kitley, Angel Reese, and Kamilla Cardoso, highlighting the depth of talent in women's college basketball this season.
Overall, the 2022 AP All-America teams reflect the exceptional skill and dedication of these student-athletes, who have excelled on the court and represented their respective programs with distinction.
