The competition for the top point guard in women’s college basketball has never been fiercer, and five standout athletes have risen to the challenge. Among them, Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles has solidified her place as one of the nation’s premier floor generals. However, another finalist, Paige Bueckers, stood out to be the fans’ favorite.
Olivia Miles Joins Elite Company, but Fans Have Different Opinions
As a finalist for the prestigious Nancy Lieberman Award, she joins an exclusive group of players who have left their mark on the game. But will she be the one to take home the honor?
The Instagram page of Women’s College Hoops posted a picture featuring all the athletes and fans who chose their warriors.
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The fans had a lot to say about the five finalists.
“Paige for the win!”
“Paige all the way, ” another fan said.
“Paige has the highest FG% and 3PT% it’s gotta be her. Her passes are incredible and when she shoots it goes in,” someone else said.
“That’s going to Paige,” another fan commented.
“Oofff this is tough. I love all of them. Trying to leave any biased out bc I’m a Texas fan and I just love Amoore, but Paige deserves this one, ” someone else said.
“numbers don’t lie… PAIGE BUCKETS,” one fan said.
Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles has been named one of the finalists for the award, given annually to the top point guard in NCAA Division I women’s basketball by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. It honors players who exemplify elite leadership, playmaking, and ballhandling skills—qualities that Miles has displayed throughout her career.
She is joined on the finalist list by Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore, Texas’ Rori Harmon, UCLA’s Kiki Rice, and UConn’s Paige Bueckers. Each of these players has made a significant impact on their respective programs.
However, Miles’ stellar season has put her firmly in the conversation as one of the best.
So far this season, Miles has been a dominant force, averaging 16.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. She leads the ACC in assists per game—ranking 14th nationally—and also sits in the top 10 in conference scoring. Beyond her stats, Miles has displayed an exceptional ability to dictate the tempo of the game.
One of her most impressive achievements this season has been her historic triple-double performances. Miles currently leads the nation with three triple-doubles, making her the first player in ACC history to record back-to-back triple-doubles. These performances further cemented her reputation as one of the most versatile and impactful players in the country.
Some of the greatest point guards in women’s basketball history have received this honor, including Skylar Diggins, who remains Notre Dame’s only previous winner, having claimed the award in both 2012 and 2013. Miles has the chance to join her in the program’s history books, but she faces stiff competition.
Georgia Amoore, Kentucky’s standout guard, has been the driving force behind her team’s success this season. She has dominated in the SEC, which is widely considered one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.
Meanwhile, Texas Longhorns senior point guard Rori Harmon has also made a strong case for the award.
Harmon ranks fourth in the nation with 189 assists and boasts an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.15. She has also etched her name into Texas program history, becoming the only player to surpass 1,200 career points while also recording over 600 assists.
Currently, she is second on Texas’ all-time assists list with 690 and continues to be a game-changing presence on the floor.
UCLA’s Kiki Rice has also proven herself as a premier playmaker this season. The junior guard has been instrumental in leading the Bruins, averaging 4.4 assists per game while scoring 13.0 points per contest.
She has consistently delivered in crucial moments, shooting an efficient 50.4% from the field and an outstanding 86.6% from the free-throw line.
Paige Bueckers’ Place Among Legends
The name that stands out most among the finalists is UConn’s Paige Bueckers. Already regarded as one of the most talented players in college basketball, Bueckers has continued to dominate despite facing multiple injury setbacks in her career.
She recently led UConn to a perfect run through the Big East, capping it off with a dominant 92-57 win over Marquette.
Following the game, Bueckers was honored as her No. 5 jersey was added to the Huskies of Honor, joining the ranks of UConn legends like Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Rebecca Lobo, and Sue Bird. This recognition further solidifies her legacy within the program.
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Reflecting on her time at UConn, Bueckers shared what she hopes to be remembered for.
“A person who wore the jersey with pride, loved her teammates, loved her coaching staff, and enjoyed the journey,” Bueckers said. “I just (want to) be remembered for being a great teammate and a great leader.”
With March Madness right around the corner, each of these finalists will have one last opportunity to prove why they deserve to be named the nation’s best point guard. Regardless of who takes home the award, one thing is certain: these five players have already left a lasting impact on women’s college basketball.
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