With women’s college basketball’s 2024-2 season set to tip off, fans are eager to see who will take the spotlight following Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s historic collegiate careers.
The excitement surrounding the college game shows no signs of slowing down as a fresh crop of talent steps up to continue their legacy.
Caitlin Clark’s bold statement drives WNBA fans wild
New stars set to rise in Women’s College Basketball
The last NCAA tournament showcased the immense appeal of women’s basketball, attracting an average of 2.2 million viewers across ESPN’s networks-a 121% increase from the previous year.
The national title game, featuring Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, drew an astonishing 18.9 million viewers, solidifying the growing demand for women’s sports.
Now, as the spotlight shifts to a new season, names like Paige Bueckers of UConn and JuJu Watkins of USC are poised to capture the imagination of fans.
Bueckers, who burst onto the scene as a dominant force before injuries slowed her progress, returns to the court with a renewed determination to lead the Huskies to a national title.
Her anticipated matchup against USC’s Watkins on December 21 is already drawing buzz.
Watkins, a Los Angeles native, made history as a freshman by scoring more points in a season than any other first-year player in Division I, and her sold-out home games draw a celebrity-studded crowd, underscoring her star power.
Other players are also stepping into the spotlight. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo impressed in her freshman season, leading her team to the ACC tournament title and proving herself as a fierce competitor on both ends of the court.
Meanwhile, Deja Kelly, now at Oregon, continues to make a name for herself as one of the top players in the nation, following in the footsteps of her celebrated 2020 class that included Clark.
This new generation of talent has flourished thanks to increased media exposure, expanded coverage, and opportunities through NIL (name, image, likeness) deals, which have allowed them to build their brands early.
The season kicks off on November 4, with powerhouse matchups, including USC’s face-off against Ole Miss in Paris.
This year promises to showcase a new wave of talent, ensuring that women’s college basketball remains an essential part of the sports landscape.
As former stars move on to the pros, players like Bueckers, Watkins, Hidalgo, and Kelly are ready to keep fans captivated and the sport’s momentum alive.
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