As the regular season inches closer to conclusion, the spotlight in women’s college basketball naturally shifts toward individual honors. The Naismith Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top player, is what everyone’s focused on now.
The release of the late-season watch list is more than just a routine update. By this point, performances are no longer projections or early-season flashes. The players who made the cut are being recognized for their consistency and for helping elevate their respective teams.
The eventual winner of this trophy is likely to emerge from this trimmed-down group, making the announcement a pivotal checkpoint in the Player of the Year race. While the individual honors enlists players in the history books, making the final cut helps shape a strong narrative around the players.
Being on the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Watch List validates the efforts made by players throughout the season and raises the stakes for National Player of the Year in its final stretch.
If we go by programs, Oklahoma, UCLA, Texas, and UConn have two players each on the final list. As for the conferences, the SEC boasts 11 players on the list and is followed by the Big Ten with 10 players on the watch list.
Naismith Trophy Late Season Watch List
| Name | Year | Position | School | Conference |
| Raegan Beers | Senior | Center | Oklahoma | SEC |
| Lauren Betts | Senior | Center | UCLA | Big Ten |
| Mikayla Blakes | Sophomore | Guard | Vanderbilt | SEC |
| Madison Booker | Junior | Forward | Texas | SEC |
| Jaloni Cambridge | Sophomore | Guard | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| Aaliyah Chavez | Freshman | Guard | Oklahoma | SEC |
| Audi Crooks | Junior | Center | Iowa State | Big 12 |
| Jazzy Davidson | Freshman | Guard | USC | Big Ten |
| Maggie Doogan | Senior | Forward | Richmond | Atlantic 10 |
| Joyce Edwards | Sophomore | Forward | South Carolina | SEC |
| Toby Fournier | Sophomore | Forward | Duke | ACC |
| Azzi Fudd | Graduate Student | Guard | UCONN | BIG EAST |
| Rori Harmon | Graduate Student | Guard | Texas | SEC |
| Ava Heiden | Sophomore | Center | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Hannah Hidalgo | Junior | Guard | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Flau’Jae Johnson | Senior | Guard | LSU | SEC |
| Ta’Niya Latson | Senior | Guard | South Carolina | SEC |
| Cotie McMahon | Senior | Forward | Ole Miss | SEC |
| Olivia Miles | Graduate Student | Guard | TCU | Big 12 |
| Oluchi Okananwa | Junior | Guard | Maryland | Big Ten |
| Olivia Olson | Sophomore | Guard | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Khamil Pierre | Junior | Forward | NC State | ACC |
| Kiki Rice | Senior | Guard | UCLA | Big Ten |
| Taliah Scott | Sophomore | Guard | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Sayvia Sellers | Junior | Guard | Washington | Big Ten |
| Clara Strack | Junior | Center | Kentucky | SEC |
| Sarah Strong | Sophomore | Forward | UCONN | BIG EAST |
| Syla Swords | Sophomore | Guard | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Grace VanSlooten | Senior | Forward | Michigan State | Big Ten |
| Mikaylah Williams | Junior | Guard | LSU | SEC |
UConn’s Sarah Strong is the current frontrunner for the honor. She is averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. She is shooting 59.1% from the field, 39.6% from beyond the arc, and 90.5% from the free-throw line.
The UConn Huskies have remained unbeaten after 27 games and have maintained a perfect record so far, which only strengthens Strong’s case.
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