A month into the women’s college basketball season, and the field is already delivering on entertainment and chaos. Giants have fallen, while dark horses continue to make their case. There have been flashes of individual brilliance, as well, with many of the most compelling performances coming from freshmen. The new class is one of the most impressive the sport has seen in some time, looking more seasoned than green.
As the 2023–24 campaign unfolds, freshmen will likely continue to play a major role, especially down the stretch and into March. Here’s who to keep an eye on.
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JuJu Watkins, USC
As the No. 1 player in the 2023 recruiting class, Watkins entered college with considerable hype—even signing with Nike before ever suiting up with USC. And Watkins has navigated the pressure seamlessly, playing not only as advertised, but also exceeding the lofty expectations set for her. It took mere weeks with the Trojans for Watkins to etch her name into the history books, passing icon Lisa Leslie for the most 30-point games by a USC freshman (she’s recorded five in seven games).
The 6'2" guard is a walking bucket, able to score from anywhere on the floor. The Trojans’ offense runs through Watkins, who is a playmaker able to create her own shot. She’s one of the most complete players in the sport right now—averaging 27.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 steals—as a college rookie. Circle USC’s Dec. 30 matchup against UCLA on the calendar, with Watkins & Co. looking to maintain their pristine record against their undefeated cross-city rival.
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Hidalgo faces a daunting challenge in her first year in South Bend. With star Olivia Miles still working back from injury, Hidalgo is filling the role of Notre Dame’s anchor and floor general. Lucky for the Fighting Irish, she appears more than up to the task.
At 5'6", Hidalgo is small but mighty—a crafty and quick ballhandler, with a keen ability to find her lane. For that reason, she is tough to guard, leading Notre Dame with an average of 23.3 points and shooting an efficient 52.6% from the field. She impacts the game in other areas, as well, averaging a staggering six steals per game. Hidalgo is holding down the fort quite convincingly, but once Miles and Sonia Citron return from injury, the Irish are going to have a deep and dominant backcourt.
MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina
Fulwiley has burst onto the scene with a distinct flair. In her first game as a Gamecock, Fulwiley dazzled with a behind-the-back, take-it-to-the-rim transition bucket that set social media ablaze (even drawing the attention of Magic Johnson). The highlight reel has continued throughout South Carolina’s early-season matchups, with the 5'10" guard garnering acclaim for her no-look passes and masterful fake-outs. She’s flashy and entertaining, showing off a confidence usually reserved for upperclassmen.
Beyond her bold play, Fulwiley is helping add an explosive facet to a dimensional South Carolina team, and coach Dawn Staley only hopes to further develop her freshman’s consistency. “You have to pick and choose your spots,” said Staley. “She’s looking for a really great moment for her. A crowd-pleasing play. She has an appetite for it, that she loses sight of the in-between the great plays and that’s where the game is being played.”
The composure Staley is stressing will likely evolve with time and experience. And that’s a scary thought considering the level Fulwiley is already competing at, and how dominant the Kamilla Cardoso–led Gamecocks have been to start the season.
Mikaylah Williams, LSU
LSU has dominated the early-season headlines after star Angel Reese missed four games in a mysterious two-week absence from the team. Amid the drama, however, Williams has been making a case for herself on the court. She’s already shown she can light it up, dropping 42 points against Kent State, setting a school NCAA-era record for the most points by a freshman in a single game. An efficient shooter, averaging 56.6% from the field and 54.3% from three, Williams is a reliable scorer on a squad that features six players averaging double figures.
The 6'0" guard possesses a recognizable level-headedness and poise that sets Williams apart from her freshman counterparts. Playing alongside more experienced players like Reese, Aneesah Morrow and Hailey Van Lith, LSU isn’t necessarily Williams’s team (at least not yet), but she is quickly carving out a distinct and vital role for herself on the Tigers.
Zoe Brooks, NC State
Few had NC State on their radar ahead of the season, with the Wolfpack losing four key players from last year’s group. Wes Moore’s team started the campaign unranked, but after taking out elite competition, including UConn and Colorado, NC State has established itself as one of the nation’s top teams. And Brooks has been an integral part of that ascent.
The 5’10” guard is particularly skilled at withstanding physicality, knocking down tough shots and getting to the basket. She has yet to start a game but is averaging a quality 25.1 minutes per game off the bench. In NC State’s win over a quality Vanderbilt side, Brooks put up 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block, showing her value as a well-rounded impact player. If the Wolfpack want to continue their unlikely run into the postseason, they’ll welcome more performances like that from Brooks.
