The best 20 players in the 2026 women’s NCAA tournament you must watch

As we lock in our brackets and get ready for the start of March Madness, here are the best 20 players competing for a National Championship in the 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament:

Sarah Strong, UConn: The favorite for National Player of the Year, Strong is averaging 18.5 points per game in just 26.4 minutes per game. Her dominance has helped UConn to an undefeated record going into March Madness as the Huskies hope to become back-to-back National Champions.

Azzi Fudd, UConn: Poised to be a top pick in next month’s WNBA Draft, if not the No. 1 overall pick, Fudd is the other half of UConn’s iconic duo. She is averaging 17.7 points per game in only 28.3 minutes per game, and shooting 44.6% from three-point range.

Madison Booker, Texas: Booker has been one of the biggest reasons for Texas’s success this season, scoring 10+ points in every game this season but two. She leads the Longhorns in points per game (18.9) and rebounds per game (6.5).

Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt: Blakes is one of the most dynamic players in the country, leading her Vanderbilt team to a regional No. 2 seed in the tournament. She leads the entire country in points per game this season, with 27.0 — a staggering 2 points ahead of the next best player.

Lauren Betts, UCLA: At 6-foot-7, Lauren Betts is one of the most unguardable bigs in the country. She’s helped her UCLA Bruins to back-to-back Big-10 tournament championships, and now hopes to lead them back to the Final Four in her final college season.

Raven Johnson, South Carolina: Raven Johnson is achieving a career-high 10.3 points per game on 50.6% shooting from the field, with 5.4 assists per game to add on. She has adapted well to her starting role in her fifth college season.

Raegan Beers, Oklahoma: Raegan Beers is another dominant big, ready to bring her physicality and defense to March Madness. The Sooners’ center has 15.7 points per game this year.

Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame: One of the most versatile two-way players out there, Hidalgo has taken the reins at Notre Dame this season. Her 25.2 points per game this season have her ranked 3rd in the country behind Blakes and Audi Crooks.

Joyce Edwards, South Carolina: Edwards has had to take on a lot of responsibility at South Carolina as a sophomore, and it’s paid off — she is leading her team and scoring nearly 20 points per game. She also leads the Gamecocks in steals per game, with 1.7.

Audi Crooks, Iowa State: Audi Crooks is averaging 25.5 points per game this season, which is 2nd in the nation, only behind Mikayla Blakes. While her Iowa State Cyclones have had an up-and-down season, she is a player they can always rely on to get a bucket.

Olivia Miles, TCU: Miles is another top draft prospect heading into the 2025 WNBA draft. She leads TCU in points per game (19.6), assists per game (6.4) and steals per game (1.8).

Ta’Niya Latson, South Carolina: Another big scorer, Latson has proved her offensive power in her one year at South Carolina. Expected to be a first-round draft pick next month, her 14.3 points per game have helped South Carolina become a Final Four favorite.

Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State: The sophomore is averaging 22.8 points and 4.6 assists per game, leading Ohio State in both categories. The Buckeyes finished 4th in the Big-10 this season and could make it far into the tournament.

Olivia Olson, Michigan: Olson leads Michigan with 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds per game. Her ability to efficiently and quickly get her team a bucket is why she made the first team All-Big 10 for the second year in a row.

Toby Fournier, Duke: The Canadian star was a big reason Duke was able to turn their season around, from falling out of the rankings to an ACC tournament championship. In her sophomore season, she transitioned into a starting role, improving from 13.2 points per game to 17.3 points per game.

Flau’Jae Johnson, LSU: Flau’Jae Johnson is a crafty two-way player who can disrupt a game, making her a great March Madness prospect. Her 40.2% shooting from three-point range this season is a career-high.

Kiki Rice, UCLA: UCLA’s point guard is expected to be another first-round draft pick in next month’s draft, and any WNBA team will appreciate her 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. She shoots 50.4% from the field and 38.1% from three.

Rori Harmon, Texas: The fifth-year Texas point guard has come up big for the Longhorns this season, notably when she scored 26 points in their win against UCLA. That win was a huge moment for the program and part of the reason Texas is a top-four seed in the tournament.

MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU: In her first season at LSU after transferring, Fulwiley has seen her production go up from 11.7 points per game to 14.6 points per game. She can take over a game, making her a tournament must-see.

Syla Swords, Michigan: The Canadian Olympian got a first-team All-Big 10 selection this season, after making the second team in her freshman season. Her ability to fire off quick shots keeps Michigan competitive, and she pairs nicely with her teammate Olson in Michigan’s lineup.