Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Azzi Fudd and the 25 best players in women's college basketball

The apical idiosyncratic grant successful women's assemblage hoops is officially a three-player race. But should South Carolina's Aliyah Boston, Iowa's Caitlin Clark oregon UConn's Azzi Fudd beryllium No. 1 overall?

The trio has emerged arsenic the front-runners for nationalist subordinate of the year, but which 1 is having the champion season? That was among the biggest debates arsenic a sheet of 18 broadcasters, analysts and writers who screen the athletics for ESPN voted connected our updated rankings of the apical 25 players successful the state for the 2022-23 season.

Seven weeks aft our preseason subordinate rankings, we formed ballots again, focusing connected the performances we've seen and the champion players astatine this constituent successful the season. Boston was past season's statement nationalist subordinate of the twelvemonth and led ESPN's preseason list, and she remains connected apical successful mentation 2.0 -- fueled by 11 first-place votes -- with her undefeated Gamecocks ranked No. 1. But the stellar play of Clark (five first-place votes) and Fudd (two) made it a steadfast debate.

The astir hard happening to find was however to instrumentality players' injuries into account. Our sheet voted independently, with immoderate giving much value to a subordinate being retired than others. In general, a subordinate whose instrumentality day has been described arsenic "indefinite" -- specified arsenic Indiana defender Grace Berger -- got less votes than those who person precocious travel backmost oregon whose instrumentality has a much definitive timetable, specified arsenic Fudd.

Ohio State defender Jacy Sheldon mightiness person been the azygous hardest subordinate to evaluate. She is simply a wide prime to marque the apical 25 erstwhile healthy, arsenic she was successful the preseason. But she has been constricted to 5 games with a lower-leg wounded and has been listed arsenic "week-to-week." Still with the undefeated Buckeyes' success, she made the list, giving Ohio State 2 representatives among our group. South Carolina, Stanford and UConn besides person 2 players each successful the apical 25.

A subordinate specified arsenic the Texas' Rori Harmon was connected the preseason list. But aft being constricted to six games owed to wounded and the Longhorns' hard commencement to the season, she didn't marque the apical 25 this time. We'll revisit the database again earlier the postseason, and much changes are likely. This updated database features 7 players who weren't included successful the preseason ranking.

ESPN's Katie Barnes, Charlie Creme, Aja Ellison, Kelly Gramlich, Dan Hughes, Sean Hurd, Andrea Lloyd, Rebecca Lobo, Muffet McGraw, Alexa Philippou, Roy Philpott, Steffi Sorensen, Mike Thibault, Christy Thomaskutty, M.A. Voepel, Holly Warlick, Brooke Weisbrod and Stephanie White submitted ballots.

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Aliyah Boston gets up for the rejection

1. Aliyah Boston, South Carolina

Forward | 6-foot-5 | elder | Previous ranking: 1
2022-23 stats: 12.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 61.0 FG%

The numbers are down from past play mostly due to the fact that Boston hasn't played arsenic galore minutes successful South Carolina's little competitory games. She is inactive 1 of women's assemblage basketball's astir imposing presences and champion antiaircraft players, if not the champion (she's presently 3rd successful antiaircraft triumph shares, according to HerHoopStats.com). It's pugnacious to dethrone the champ and past year's Player of the Year has shown thing to bespeak she is acceptable to springiness up the crown. Boston, who has 7 double-doubles successful 11 games, is the champion subordinate connected the nation's champion squad and that goes a agelong mode too. (Boston received 11 first-place votes.) -- Creme

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Caitlin Clark knocks down the 3-pointer, giving her 2,000 points successful her career.

2.Caitlin Clark, Iowa

Guard | 6-foot-0 | inferior | Previous ranking: 2
2022-23 stats: 27.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 7.1 APG

Clark leads the 10-3 Hawkeyes successful points, rebounds, assists and steals. She scored 20 points successful Wednesday's triumph implicit Dartmouth, giving her 2,013 for her career. That came successful her 75th assemblage game, tying her with Delaware's Elena Delle Donne for the fastest Division I women's players this period to deed the 2,000-point mark. Against NC State this season, she had 45 points, and against Wisconsin, had the seventh triple-double of her Iowa career. Clark continues to beryllium the nation's astir breathtaking subordinate to ticker offensively portion besides being improved connected defense. (Clark received 5 first-place votes.) -- Voepel

3. Azzi Fudd, UConn

Guard | 5-foot-11 | sophomore | Previous ranking: 13
2022-23 stats: 20.6 PPG, 2.7 APG, 42.6% 3PT

Before Fudd suffered an wounded to her close genu successful the archetypal 4th against Notre Dame connected Dec. 4, she was having 1 of the champion seasons successful the country. She rebounded from an injury-riddled freshman run to look similar the apical subordinate successful her class. What makes Fudd truthful bully is the elemental information she makes truthful galore shots. She's shooting astir 43% from 3-point scope and is connected gait for a 50-40-90 season. When looking conscionable astatine her isolated 2-point shooting, the ratio is disconnected the charts astatine 62%. Fudd was erstwhile described by renowned NBA skills trainer Chris Brickley arsenic an "elite shot-maker," and she's proving that this season. Fudd's wounded timetable is 3 to six weeks, which would enactment her instrumentality betwixt precocious December to mid-January. (Fudd received 2 first-place votes.) -- Barnes

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Olivia Miles makes a bully walk for the Notre Dame bucket

4. Olivia Miles, Notre Dame

Guard | 5-foot-10 | sophomore | Previous ranking: 8
2022-23 stats: 15.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 7.6 APG

Miles has unequivocally staked her assertion arsenic 1 of the champion talents successful assemblage basketball. She's a do-it-all subordinate for Notre Dame, with an quality to interaction a contention done aggregate facets of the game. She is 1 of conscionable 2 players successful the state averaging astatine slightest 15 points, 7.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. The conductor for the No. 5 Fighting Irish, Miles plays with a benignant and a consciousness of easiness that forces observers to bent onto her each dribble. On Dec. 10, she notched her 3rd vocation triple-double, making her Notre Dame's all-time programme leader. -- Hurd

5. Cameron Brink, Stanford

Forward | 6-foot-4 | inferior | Previous ranking: 6
2022-23 stats: 13.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 60 FG%, 3.2 BPG

Brink's quality to enactment connected the level successful large matchups remains a concern, but her endowment was connected afloat show arsenic precocious arsenic Sunday, erstwhile her 21 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks against Tennessee helped the Cardinal flooded a fourth-quarter shortage to bushed the Lady Vols. She's lone playing 20 minutes per crippled -- successful portion owed to Stanford's mostly reasonably unimpressive nonconference schedule, successful portion owed to foul occupation -- but erstwhile she's connected the court, there's zero uncertainty she's 1 of the astir important and impactful players successful the country, 1 predominantly susceptible of helping Stanford triumph a 2nd nationalist rubric successful 3 years. -- Philippou

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Haley Jones gets the lay-in to autumn vs. Creighton Bluejays

6. Haley Jones, Stanford

Guard | 6-foot-1 | elder | Previous ranking: 3
2022-23 stats: 11.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.5 APG

Don't fto the deficiency of eye-popping stats distract you: Jones is 1 of the astir versatile players successful women's assemblage basketball. Even connected an incredibly balanced Stanford team, Jones' versatility stands out. She tin play astir immoderate presumption connected the floor, making her a pugnacious matchup. Jones has the quality to bash immoderate the Cardinal necessitate successful a fixed moment: get a bucket, snag a rebound, grip the ball, marque a beauteous agelong bounce walk successful transition. She's the Swiss Army weapon of assemblage basketball. -- Barnes

7. Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech

Forward | 6-foot-6 | elder | Previous ranking: 5
2022-23 stats: 19.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 2.4 BPG

Kitley is the cornerstone of a Virginia Tech squad connected gait to person 1 of its champion seasons successful programme history. Following a inferior play successful which she was named ACC Player of the Year, Kitley remains a salient frontcourt unit for the Hokies. She is the lone subordinate successful the state averaging astatine slightest 15 points, 11 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Her 9 double-doubles done 12 games is tied for 4th successful Division I. As Virginia Tech delves deeper into a pugnacious ACC slate, consistency from its elder prima volition beryllium cardinal to the team's success. -- Hurd

8. Angel Reese, LSU

Forward | 6-foot-3| sophomore | Previous ranking: 7
2022-23 stats: 24.6 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 63.5 FG%

Reese has been ascendant done LSU's archetypal 12 games. She ranks archetypal successful the federation successful rebounds per game, double-doubles and escaped propulsion attempts and sixth successful points per game. One of the galore proficiencies successful Reese's crippled is her enactment astir the rim, peculiarly her quality to clang the violative glass. In 3 games this season, she has either grabbed arsenic galore (or much than) violative rebounds arsenic her opponents' full team. LSU's spot of docket apt outgo Reese immoderate spots connected this list. Should her output proceed astatine this clip done SEC play, Reese volition apt ascend successful the rankings. -- Hurd

9. Aneesah Morrow, DePaul

Forward | 6-foot-1 | sophomore | Previous ranking: 14
2022-23 stats: 25.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.7 SPG

There has been nary sophomore slump for Morrow, past season's statement freshman of the year. Earlier this month, she broke a 31-year aged DePaul single-game scoring record, pouring successful 45 points against Northwestern. Morrow's stats this play erstwhile again leap disconnected the leafage and she continues to showcase her versatility arsenic a two-way player. She ranks 4th successful the state successful points per game, 4th successful rebounds per crippled and tied for 4th successful double-doubles. This season, Morrow has expanded her shooting range, showing proficiency beyond her dominance successful the paint, making her that overmuch much unsafe arsenic an violative threat. -- Hurd

10. Ashley Joens, Iowa State

Guard/forward | 6-foot-1 | elder | Previous ranking: 4
2022-23 stats: 19.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.3 APG

Joens dropped from her preseason spot astatine No. 4 connected this database not due to the fact that of thing she has done wrong, it's conscionable that truthful galore players person compelling cases to beryllium successful the apical 10. Joens remains arsenic consistently productive arsenic always, starring the 8-2 Cyclones successful scoring and having conscionable 1 rebound little than squad person Stephanie Soares. With the 6-6 Soares joining Iowa State this year, Joens has looked to get her the ball, too. Joens became Iowa State's vocation scoring person past play and needs 37 rebounds to beryllium No. 1 connected that list, too. -- Voepel

11. Diamond Miller, Maryland

Guard | 6-foot-3 | elder | Previous ranking: 21
2022-23 stats: 18.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 43.7 FG%, 2.0 BPG

It has been a spot of an inconsistent play for the new-look Terps, but 1 changeless you tin trust on: If Diamond Miller goes off, Maryland has a beauteous bully accidental of winning. The Terps are 2-2 erstwhile Miller scores less than 15 points (their different nonaccomplishment came against South Carolina, a crippled the elder defender missed owed to injury). Earlier this month, her 31 points -- including a buzzer-beater that garnered Kevin Durant's attraction -- gave Maryland a marquee triumph astatine Notre Dame earlier she followed it with different large dagger 3 astatine location versus UConn. She'll play nether the adjacent oculus of WNBA scouts for the remainder of 2022-23, arsenic ESPN's WNBA mock draft projects Miller volition beryllium a lottery prime travel April. -- Philippou

12. Maddy Siegrist, Villanova

Forward | 6-foot-1 | elder | Previous ranking: 12
2022-23 stats: 27.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 1.7 SPG

One of the hardest things to bash is consistently enactment the shot successful the handbasket erstwhile each of the antiaircraft attraction is trained connected you. Yet that is what Siegrist does each night. She is shooting 52.5% from the level and 42.6% from beyond the arc. According to Her Hoop Stats, Siegrist is 2nd successful the state successful some subordinate ratio standing (49.2) and triumph shares (6.0). And she's doing each of this portion being the second-leading scorer successful the country! She has a large load to carry, and she's showing each crippled she tin bash it admirably. -- Barnes

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Mackenzie Holmes makes a bully determination for the layup

13. Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana

Forward | 6-foot-3 | elder | Previous ranking: NR
2022-23 stats: 19.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 69.0 FG%

Holmes wasn't ranked successful the preseason, but her high-level show successful the frontcourt for No. 4 Indiana made her an undeniable addition. She has been a steadying unit for a Hoosiers squad playing without prima defender Grace Berger. Holmes ranks archetypal successful the state successful tract extremity percent among players who person astatine slightest 100 changeable attempts, and done 13 games is shooting a career-best 69.0% percent (100-for-145) from the field. Holmes displays exceptional footwork erstwhile she gets the shot successful the paint, with the quality to decorativeness from some the near oregon close block. -- Hurd

14. Aaliyah Edwards, UConn

Forward | 6-foot-3 | inferior | Previous ranking: NR
2022-23 stats: 17.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 63.0 FG%, 1.2 BPG

For arsenic sensational arsenic (a healthy) Fudd has been, UConn's unsung leader is arguably Edwards, whose emergence became adjacent much important erstwhile Dorka Juhasz missed 7 games owed to a breached thumb. Edwards' stats are remarkable, particularly fixed the down twelvemonth she had arsenic a sophomore, and she's hitting midrange jumpers much consistently than ever before. But what isn't adjacent afloat represented is the interaction she has had defensively arsenic the Huskies person faced a gantlet of ranked opponents. Edwards has acceptable vocation highs successful scoring successful consecutive games this month, and she'll payment adjacent much arsenic her UConn teammates get healthier. -- Philippou

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Charisma Osborne makes the bully bucket against the Fresno State Bulldogs

15. Charisma Osborne, UCLA

Guard | 5-foot-9 | elder | Previous ranking: NR
2022-23 stats: 18.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 44.2 FG%

Another projected first-round 2023 WNBA draught pick, Osborne is thriving with the Bruins yet steadfast and location to a stacked freshman recruiting class, which has allowed her to relinquish constituent defender duties and play astatine her much earthy presumption of tiny guard. Osborne -- who is managing vocation bests successful scoring and 2-point tract extremity percent (52.8%) this play -- and freshman constituent defender Kiki Rice person been arsenic dynamic of a backcourt arsenic UCLA enthusiasts dreamed, helping the Bruins reemerge into relevance by winning the Battle 4 Atlantis rubric and rising to No. 11 successful the AP Top 25 contempt starting the play unranked. If Osborne, Rice and the remainder of the unit tin physique upon their promising start, they could marque immoderate sound successful the Pac-12 successful 2023. -- Philippou

16. Hailey Van Lith, Louisville

Guard | 5-foot-7 | inferior | Previous ranking: 9
2022-23 stats: 19.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.3 APG

Somewhat mislaid successful the Cardinals' dilatory commencement has been the maturation Van Lith continues to amusement arsenic a scorer. Tasked with much work aft the nonaccomplishment of immoderate cardinal seniors from past season's Final Four team, Van Lith has scored astatine slightest 18 points successful 10 of Louisville's 13 games. As the Cardinals person gotten backmost connected way with 5 consecutive wins, Van Lith has been the starring scorer successful each but one. Her quality to relentlessly hunt shots and get them disconnected astatine each 3 levels contempt her 5-7 framework makes Van Lith an effectual violative player. -- Creme

17. Jordan Horston, Tennessee

Guard | 6-foot-2 | elder | Previous ranking: 15
2022-23 stats: 16.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.2 APG

A batch has been connected Horston's shoulders successful what has been -- there's nary constituent mincing words -- a disappointing play truthful acold for 7-6 Tennessee. However, the Lady Vols played good wide successful their 77-70 nonaccomplishment astatine Stanford connected Sunday, arsenic Horston led the mode with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals. If Tennessee is capable to close its vessel during SEC play, Horston volition beryllium 1 of the biggest reasons for that. -- Voepel

18. Taylor Mikesell, Ohio State Buckeyes

G | 5-foot-11 | elder | Previous ranking: NR
2022-23 stats: 17.5 PPG, 44.6% FG, 2.3 APG

Mikesell is the starring scorer for a resurgent Buckeyes squad that is presently the 3rd champion successful the nation. She tin onslaught the rim disconnected the bounce, has a nasty step-back jumper and is simply a menace to sound down extracurricular shots arsenic well. Mikesell is fantabulous astatine putting defenders connected their heels and past making them wage with a creaseless finish. Ohio State hasn't played overmuch successful the mode of ranked competition, but erstwhile fixed the chance, Mikesell has travel up big, posting 25 and 26 points against then-ranked Tennessee and Louisville, respectively. -- Barnes

19. Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State

G | 5-foot-10 | elder | Previous ranking: 11
2022-23 stats: 16.0 PPG, 3.2 APG, 6.0 SPG

This ranking would apt beryllium higher if a little limb wounded hadn't constricted Sheldon's availability to 5 of the Buckeyes' 12 games. When she has been retired there, however, Sheldon has been outstanding. And she has been astatine her champion against Ohio State's champion competition. Versus Tennessee, Sheldon registered 8 steals, and she scored 22 points astatine Louisville. Her six steals per crippled would easy pb the state if her full games played were capable to qualify. A steadfast Sheldon is 1 of the nation's champion two-way guards, and she has helped enactment undefeated Ohio State successful presumption for 1 of its champion seasons successful years. -- Creme

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Deja Kelly gets the lay-in to autumn vs. South Carolina Upstate Spartans

20. Deja Kelly, North Carolina

Guard | 5-foot-8 | inferior | Previous ranking: 23
2022-23 stats: 15.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.2 APG

Kelly is the subordinate the Tar Heels tin number connected to marque large plays, and her vigor fuels them. Her season-high 29 points came successful a triumph implicit Iowa State successful the title crippled of the Phil Knight Invitational successful November. Kelly has struggled from down the arc (6 of 29), but erstwhile that portion of her crippled is connected track, she becomes adjacent much hard to guard. Slow starts successful losses to Indiana and Michigan person wounded the 9-2 Tar Heels, but that's thing Kelly tin assistance them fix. -- Voepel

21. Emily Kiser, Michigan Wolverines

Forward | 6-foot-3 | postgraduate pupil | Previous ranking: NR
2022-23 stats: 18.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.3 APG

A complementary subordinate for astir of her career, existing successful the shadiness of Naz Hillmon, Kiser is present demonstrating 1 of the champion and astir businesslike station games successful the country. Kiser's improved accumulation has been staggering. She is averaging 10 much points per crippled than she did past season, has astir doubled her assistance mean and is making 58.1% of her tract extremity attempts aft 44.4% a twelvemonth ago. At 11-1 the Wolverines person the aforesaid grounds they did a twelvemonth agone astatine this clip with all-time large Hillmon. Kiser is the superior crushed Michigan hasn't missed a beat. -- Creme

22. Zia Cooke, South Carolina

Guard | 5-foot-9 | elder | Previous ranking: 20
2022-23 stats: 14.1 PPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG

Cooke is simply a playmaker. She's not the astir businesslike shooter, nor does she person the astir size astatine her position, which are the 2 superior criticisms of her game. But erstwhile she is feelin' it, determination are fewer players much amusive to ticker successful assemblage basketball. She's an elite finisher astatine the rim, and fewer guards elevate the mode she does connected a pull-up jumper. She tin beryllium perfectly electric. -- Barnes

23. Madi Williams, Oklahoma

Forward | 6-foot-0 | elder | Previous ranking: 19
2022-23 stats: 15.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 58.2 FG%

Recently hitting the 2,000-point vocation milestone, Williams has been remarkably accordant successful her 5 seasons successful Norman. Only 7 times since her sophomore twelvemonth has Williams failed to people successful treble figures. Much similar Boston successful South Carolina, Williams' minutes and consequent wide accumulation are down from past play due to the fact that the Sooners are a overmuch deeper team. However, her ratio is up: She ranks successful the nation's apical 20 successful tract goals made per 40 minutes, according to Her Hoop Stats. As the quintessential constituent forward, Williams is the centerpiece of a high-powered Sooners onslaught that ranks 5th successful the state successful points per game. -- Creme

24. Diamond Johnson, NC State Wolfpack

Guard | 5-foot-5 | inferior | Previous ranking: NR
2022-23 stats: 13.9 PPG, 3.9 APG, 48.1 FG% (51.9 3FG%)

Johnson has been sidelined since an ankle wounded connected Dec. 11 versus South Florida, but she has been a steadying unit for a Wolfpack squad that is replacing 4 starters from past year's Elite Eight run. After struggling successful the 2nd fractional against UConn, allowing the Huskies to tally distant with the win, Johnson showed up massively for NC State successful its archetypal top-10 triumph of the play implicit then-No. 10 Iowa, pouring successful 22 points connected 8-for-12 shooting from the tract and adding 9 rebounds. The Wolfpack request those astir her to measurement up excessively to contend for the ACC rubric and marque a heavy NCAA tourney run, but it each starts -- arsenic expected -- with their superior prima successful Johnson. -- Philippou

25. Ta'Niya Latson, Florida State Seminoles

Guard | 5-foot-8 | freshman | Previous ranking: NR
2022-23 stats: 25.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.9 APG

Latson was the No. 14 subordinate successful ESPN HoopGurlz Class of 2022 rankings, and she has instantly adjusted to the assemblage game. She is 5th successful Division I successful scoring mean and has been a large portion of the Seminoles' 12-2 start. Latson is shooting 50.4% from the field, 40.4% (19 of 47) from down the arc and 82.9% from the foul line. She besides leads Florida State with 30 steals. Latson had 24 points successful Florida State's 85-77 nonaccomplishment to UConn connected Dec. 18, and has scored 30 oregon much points successful 3 games frankincense far. -- Voepel

Also receiving votes

The pursuing players received astatine slightest 1 ballot from our panel.

Berger, Indiana
Aijha Blackwell, Baylor
Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
Sonia Citron, Notre Dame
Sidney Cooks, Seton Hall
Monika Czinano, Iowa
Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga
Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse
Gabby Gregory, Kansas State
Aubrey Griffin, UConn
Lauren Gustin, BYU
Harmon, Texas
Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
Taiyanna Jackson, Kansas
Hannah Jump, Stanford
Charlisse Leger-Walker, Washington State
Lou Lopez-Senechal, UConn
Morgan Maly, Creighton
Makenna Marisa, Penn State
Rebeka Mikulasikova, Ohio State
Alexis Morris, LSU
Nika Muhl, UConn
Ashley Owusu, Virginia Tech
Te-Hina Paopao, Oregon
Lauren Park-Lane, Seton Hall
Alissa Pili, Utah
Taylor Robertson, Oklahoma
Endyia Rogers, Oregon
Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
Stephanie Soares, Iowa State
Kennedy Todd-Williams, North Carolina
Alyssa Ustby, North Carolina
Keishana Washington, Drexel