With Caitlin Clark hitting the big leagues, the race to become college basketball’s next superstar is officially on. Gone are the days of Clark’s logo threes and show-stopping dimes, but don’t panic—there’s plenty of star power ready to take her place. In a post-Clark world, we’ve got a fresh batch of elite talent ready to snatch headlines, shatter records, and drop jaws. So, who’s stepping up to fill Clark’s oversized sneakers this season? Well, get comfy, because we’re about to break down five players with the swag, skills, and sheer guts to become the new face of women’s college basketball.
1. Paige Bueckers (UConn)
Let’s not pretend you don’t know Paige Bueckers—A.K.A. Paige Buckets. She’s the OG wunderkind who won everything except a national championship, though not for lack of trying. Injuries have been Bueckers’ biggest opponent since she first burst onto the scene, but the UConn star is back for one final act. After missing all of 2022-23 with a torn ACL, Bueckers dragged the Huskies to yet another Final Four last season, and trust me, she’s far from done.
Coach Geno Auriemma wants her to be “selfish” this season—UConn fans, clutch your pearls—because he knows it’s her last ride. And with the Huskies selling out games for the first time since Diana Taurasi was dominating Storrs, expectations are through the roof. Bueckers isn’t just a player; she’s a walking highlight reel. If anyone’s going to take over the Clark-sized hole in the women’s basketball universe, it’s Bueckers. But, you know, no pressure.
2. Juju Watkins (USC)
While most of us were binge-watching Netflix, Juju Watkins was busy scoring 920 points as a freshman—an NCAA record, by the way. This 6-2 guard can flat-out ball, dropping 30 points like it’s nothing. Seriously, nothing. Watkins didn’t just lead USC back to relevancy; she turned them into prime-time TV. That’s right—move over Caitlin Clark, we’re in Hollywood now, where the stars literally come out to play.
The Trojans’ move to the Big Ten? Perfect timing. Watkins is going to be everywhere, whether it’s on FOX, NBC, or posing with celebrities who pop by USC’s campus. And in case you were wondering, yes, Watkins has NIL deals with Gatorade, Nike, and a few other brands you might’ve heard of. Clark who? Watkins might break her scoring records and do it in style.
3. Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame)
Here’s a little basketball riddle for you: What’s scarier than a 5-6 guard who averaged 22.6 points per game? One who also led the nation in steals, because that’s what Hannah Hidalgo does. She’s Notre Dame’s pint-sized defensive menace, swiping a nation-best 4.6 steals per game while dropping buckets like it’s her part-time job.
Hidalgo isn’t all about defense, though—she’s also smashing Notre Dame’s scoring records and was a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist as a freshman. Her flashy style and all-around play make her one of the most exciting players to watch this season. Offense wins games, but defense wins hearts—Hidalgo’s got both covered.
4. Flau’jae Johnson (LSU)
What do you get when you combine a national champion, an emerging rap star, and a walking bucket? Flau’jae Johnson. LSU’s two-sport sensation came into college basketball already a big deal—thanks to her rap career—and then showed us she’s not just here for the hype.
As a sophomore, she lit up the NCAA tournament, averaging 20.5 points per game and shooting an absurd 64.7% from 2-point range. LSU might have lost Angel Reese to the WNBA, but with Johnson still on the roster, they’re in good hands. And let’s be real, it’s not every day you see a player with a record deal under Roc Nation casually dropping 30 in the Elite Eight. Who says you can’t do it all?
5. Georgia Amoore (Kentucky)
If there’s one thing Georgia Amoore loves, it’s dropping three-pointers. She’s so good at it, she broke the entire NCAA Tournament 3-point record last year with 24 threes in five games. The 5-6 Australian dynamo led Virginia Tech to the Final Four, but now she’s making waves in Kentucky.
Amoore decided to run it back for a fifth season, transferring to Kentucky and bringing her Steph Curry-like shooting touch to the SEC. While the Wildcats aren’t exactly basketball royalty (yet), if anyone can put them on the map, it’s Amoore and her unstoppable step-back jumper. Just try to stop her. You’ll only embarrass yourself.
Honorable Mentions:
- MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina): With Clark gone, Fulwiley’s name is starting to pop up on everyone’s radar. The sophomore guard is South Carolina’s leading returning scorer, and she’s got next.
- Madison Booker (Texas): With Rori Harmon back in action, Booker will get plenty of chances to shine.
- Audi Crooks (Iowa State): This sophomore center is one of the most efficient scorers in the game—just don’t ask her to miss shots.
- Lauren Betts (UCLA) and Ayoka Lee (Kansas State): If you’re looking for towering, paint-dominating centers, these two are ready to send your favorite player’s shot into the stands.
The baton has been passed, and these stars are ready to take it and run—straight into the history books. Get ready for a season full of buzzer-beaters, ankle-breaking crossovers, and more jaw-dropping moments than we can count. The future of women’s college basketball is in good hands, and trust us, it’s going to be a wild ride.
