What’s next for Clark, Reese, Bueckers after season?
Even though the NCAA Tournament is still going, it’s not too early to start thinking about next season. Specifically, the status of the top players.
We already know Caitlin Clark is headed for the WNBA. Others, like Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins, will be back in school and hoping to contend for a national title. And then there are those, like Angel Reese, who haven’t announced their plans yet.
Hint: We make no predictions about where the players coming back and those who are TBD will play. The powers of the transfer portal are strong, y’all.
Here’s a look at the places the top players will go:
Declared for draft or exhausted eligibility
Cameron Brink, Stanford. AllAmerican and three-time Pac-12 player of the year led the nation in blocks and was third in rebounds.
Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina. Had a fifth year of eligibility but declared for the WNBA draft. She is projected to be a top-five pick.
Caitlin Clark, Iowa. If you’re a fan, bookmark the Indiana Fever’s schedule now. If you haven’t already.
Aaliyah Edwards, UConn. As a junior, had UConn’s first 20-point, 20-rebound game since Maya Moore.
Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse. Third-leading scorer in Division I women’s history, mid-range game should translate immediately to the next level.
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana. Efficient, and effortless, in the post.
Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State. Terrific ball handler who can also hurt opponents from deep.
Rickea Jackson, Tennessee. Made quite a case for herself down the stretch by scoring 20-plus points in six of last seven games, including 33 in secondround loss to N.C. State.
Nika Muhl, UConn. A two-time Big East defensive player of the year who also holds UConn’s career, season and single-game records for assists.
Alissa Pili, Utah. Surprising speed and strength make her a nightmare to guard.
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech. Once a projected top-10 pick, will miss this WNBA season after tearing her ACL in Virginia Tech’s final regular-season game.
Underclassmen or already announced they’re coming back
Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech. Coach Kenny Brooks, who has called Amoore his “mini me,” just took the job at Kentucky. Amoore has entered the transfer portal.
Raegen Beers, Oregon State. Averaged a double-double and led the nation in field goal percentage (66.4%).
Lauren Betts, UCLA. One of the most polished post players in the country, she shot 65% from the field.
Madison Booker, Texas. Started year as a small forward, finished it as a point guard – and Big 12 player of year.
Paige Bueckers, UConn. National player of the year in 2021. Returned to All-American form this season after missing last year with a torn ACL.
Audi Crooks, Iowa State. Dropped 40 points, on 18-of-20 shooting, against Maryland in NCAA Tournament.
MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina. Do-everything guard is coming into her own at the end of the season.
Rori Harmon, Texas. One of the most impactful players on both ends of the floor, the speedy point guard, who tore
her ACL in December, should be healthy next season.
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame. Firstteam All-American as a freshman, led the nation in steals.
Kiki Iriafen, Stanford. Most-improved player in Pac-12 this season.
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame. Secondteam All-American in 2023, missed this season after tearing her ACL in last year’s Big East tournament.
Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina. Most impactful transfer this season said she plans to use her COVID year to play again for the Gamecocks.
JuJu Watkins, California. First-team All-American as a freshman, second to Clark in scoring.
TBD Southern
Angel Reese, LSU. The Most Outstanding Player of last year’s national championship game, led the country in offensive rebounds this season.
Hailey Van Lith, LSU. After an AllAmerican season at Louisville in 202223, Van Lith transferred to the Tigers, where she’s struggled for stretches as the starting point guard. Has a COVID year.