The Race for the Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year: A Tightening Battle
With less than a month remaining in the regular season, the race for the prestigious Naismith Women’s Basketball Player of the Year award is heating up. Several standout players have emerged as contenders for the coveted honor.
The Frontrunner: Lauren Betts
According to oddsmakers at BetMGM, UCLA center Lauren Betts currently holds the favorite status, with +100 odds to win the award. The 6-foot-7 junior is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. She ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (19.6 points per game) and rebounds (9.7 rebounds per game), while shooting an impressive 63.1% from the field.
Betts has played a pivotal role in UCLA’s undefeated season (23-0), leading the team in scoring on 14 occasions. Should she win the award, she would become the first UCLA player to earn the honor since its inception in 2004.
The Rising Star: JuJu Watkins
USC guard JuJu Watkins is another strong contender, with +160 odds at BetMGM. The 6-foot-2 sophomore has been a driving force for the Trojans, averaging 23.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Her field goal percentage stands at 43%.
Watkins has recorded five double-doubles this season and was a finalist for the award last year as a freshman. She has reached double-digit figures in each of the Trojans’ last 27 games and has scored at least 20 points in 19 of those contests.
The Consistent Force: Hannah Hidalgo
Notre Dame star guard Hannah Hidalgo sits behind Watkins in the odds at +225, according to BetMGM. The 5-foot-6 sophomore has been a consistent performer for the Irish, averaging 25.9 points per game, second in the nation. She has also contributed 5.0 assists per game and shot 55.0% from the field over her last three games.
Hidalgo has scored in double figures in all 56 games of her collegiate career, dating back to her debut against South Carolina last season.
Other Contenders
Rounding out the top nine contenders, according to the odds, are:
- Aaliyah Boston (South Carolina)
- Aliyah Boston (South Carolina)
- Breanna Beal (Villanova)
- Cameron Brink (Stanford)
- Caitlin Clark (Iowa)
- Destanee Walker (Louisville)
Pivotal Matchup
On Thursday, February 16, the race for Player of the Year takes center stage in Los Angeles at the Galen Center. No. 1 UCLA, led by Lauren Betts, will face off against No. 6 USC, featuring JuJu Watkins, in a pivotal Big Ten matchup. This highly anticipated showdown could provide a glimpse into the future of the award race.
Award Ceremony
The 2024-25 Naismith Women’s Basketball Player of the Year ceremony will take place on Wednesday, April 2, in Tampa, Florida, host city of the 2025 Final Four. The award winner will be celebrated for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport.
As the regular season concludes, the competition for the Player of the Year award intensifies. Lauren Betts, JuJu Watkins, and Hannah Hidalgo remain the frontrunners, but anything can happen in the final stretch. The upcoming games, including the crucial matchup between UCLA and USC, will undoubtedly shape the outcome of this prestigious award.
