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It’s official: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are out of the college game, leaving basketball fans scrambling to find their next court idols. But fear not, hoop heads! While it might feel like the prom kings and queens have graduated, there’s a new crew on the block – and they’re ready to dominate like never before.
Sure, Clark and Reese catapulted women’s basketball to new heights – because who doesn’t love a little viral trash talk and half-court daggers? But now it’s time for the next-gen ballers to claim the spotlight. Enter the new wave of talent: Paige Bueckers, JuJu Watkins, Deja Kelly, and Hannah Hidalgo. They’re bringing buckets, swagger, and marketability in droves. Trust South Carolina coach Dawn Staley on this one: “I know we lost some great ones in Angel and Caitlin, but we gained so much more. Talent. Skill set. Marketability. Basically, the whole enchilada,” Staley said with a grin that probably says, good luck stopping them, suckers.
JuJu Watkins: The L.A. Starlet Who’s Got the Celebs in Her Corner
Let’s start with the IT girl of the moment, JuJu Watkins, because apparently, USC home games are now the hottest ticket in Hollywood. Celebs are showing up, selfies are being snapped, and it’s basically the Met Gala with more sweat. If that wasn’t pressure enough, Watkins is carrying the weight of being the face of women’s basketball — no big deal, right? But don’t worry, she’s got advice from none other than Caitlin Clark herself. Yup, the very same Clark who singlehandedly caused ESPN to salivate all season long.
“She’s great,” Watkins said of Clark, who gave her some mentorship tips. “I mean, if she’s handing out advice on how to be basketball royalty, I’m all ears!” Because who wouldn’t want a masterclass in becoming a global hoops sensation?
Hannah Hidalgo: Didn’t Plan to Be Famous… Oops, Too Late!
Hannah Hidalgo, one of the three preseason All-Americans (as a sophomore, mind you), is just as surprised as the rest of us that she’s now leading the charge. “I never thought I’d be the face of something,” Hidalgo mused, probably while casually draining threes in practice. “I just wanted to come in and play basketball… and, of course, win.” Talk about a modest assassin.
Deja Kelly: A Transfer and a Trendsetter
Then there’s Deja Kelly, a walking reminder to never underestimate the power of a COVID year. After transferring to Oregon from North Carolina (because apparently, switching teams is just the trend now), Kelly’s part of the legendary 2020 recruiting class that is refusing to go away quietly. “We had one of the best classes, my 2020 class, in a while,” Kelly reminded everyone, not-so-subtly hinting that they’re still kind of a big deal.
Bueckers: Back From the Dead (a.k.a Injury)
Oh, and we can’t forget Paige Bueckers, who’s back after enough injuries to give even the most resilient of players nightmares. But, like a true queen, she’s not letting a few setbacks ruin her shot at superstardom. With Clark and Reese off to the WNBA, Bueckers is stepping back into her rightful place on the throne.
A New Era, Same Swag
Let’s be real for a second: a decade ago, you only needed to follow a handful of teams to catch all the action. Now, women’s basketball stars are popping up everywhere, like they’re being mass-produced in some top-secret talent factory. N.C. State coach Wes Moore summed it up best: “There’s a whole lot of stars that are just waiting to explode.” So, buckle up, folks. If you thought Clark and Reese were the main event, you’re about to witness a star-studded sequel that could blow the roof off of women’s basketball as we know it.