The race for the prestigious Wooden Award just heated up even more. The midseason top 20 watchlist for the award was announced Tuesday, and some of the top players in women’s college basketball, including UConn guard Paige Bueckers, TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, were recognized as frontrunners.
Top Candidates For Wooden Award Include Paige Bueckers, Hannah Hidalgo
UConn guard Paige Bueckers was widely considered the favorite to win the Wooden Award this season, having claimed the honor back in 2021.
She entered the season with high expectations and has continued to deliver for the Huskies. Averaging 18.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, Bueckers has been a key player for the team. Her shooting accuracy has been impressive, hitting 53.1% of her shots from the field, including 41.5% from three-point range.
Despite UConn’s struggles in some of their bigger games, Bueckers has remained consistent. She is still determined to lead the team to a national title before entering the WNBA Draft, where she is projected to be the first overall pick.
However, Bueckers now faces stiff competition from Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, who has made a name for herself as one of the top players in the country.
As part of what is widely regarded as the best backcourt in women’s college basketball alongside Olivia Miles, Hidalgo has been exceptional for the Fighting Irish. She has been a scoring machine, averaging 25.9 points on 50.4% shooting.
In addition to her scoring, Hidalgo contributes significantly in other areas, tallying 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 steals, and 3.9 assists per game. Her dominant performances have helped lead Notre Dame to major victories over teams like UConn, USC, Texas, and North Carolina.
Hidalgo also made history by becoming the fastest player in Notre Dame’s history to reach 1,000 career points in just 44 games—smashing the previous record of 60 games held by Beth Morgan in the mid-1990s.
On the West Coast, Juju Watkins of USC has been another player to watch. With sky-high expectations heading into the season, Watkins has lived up to the hype, averaging over 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game.
Meanwhile, Lauren Betts of UCLA has played a crucial role in keeping the Bruins undefeated. Betts has been dominant, leading UCLA with 20.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Her shooting efficiency has been remarkable, connecting on 64% of her attempts from the field.
Betts has also been a force on the defensive end, averaging 2.9 blocks per game, which has made her an essential part of UCLA’s two-way success. Her ability to impact both ends of the floor has made her a standout candidate for the Wooden Award.
TCU’s Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith Rise In Rankings
Two players from TCU, Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith, have emerged as serious contenders for the Wooden Award. TCU is one of only four programs to have multiple players on the midseason top 20 list, alongside Notre Dame, UConn, and LSU.
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The two are currently the third-highest-scoring duo in the nation, averaging a combined 35.7 points per game. Their strong performances have helped TCU to an impressive 22-3 record.
Prince has been a standout on the defensive end, ranking third in the country with 75 blocks and an average of three blocks per game. Her ability to impact both ends of the floor has made her a key player for TCU.
Van Lith, on the other hand, has been impressive on offense, averaging 15 points and five assists per game in 13 games this season. Her ability to contribute offensively has been crucial for TCU’s success. Prince and Van Lith’s combined effort has made TCU one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
The Wooden Award race is only expected to get tighter as the season progresses. The national ballot will be reduced to 15 players ahead of the NCAA Tournament in March, and the Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced during the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight. The recipient of the Wooden Award will be honored at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on April 11.
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