The 2026-27 women’s college basketball season is set to showcase a roster of experienced and accomplished players returning to their teams, many of whom were among last season’s top performers. Rather than relying on untested potential, this year’s preseason attention centers on athletes with proven records of high-level play and leadership.
Among the key figures is Sarah Strong, a junior forward at Connecticut and last season’s reigning player of the year. With the departure of previous standouts Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, Strong is expected to lead the Huskies’ charge, following coach Geno Auriemma's directive to adopt a more assertive style. Last season, Strong averaged 18.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, positioning her as a dominant presence in the team’s pursuit of another championship.
JuJu Watkins, a senior guard at Southern California, returns to the floor after missing the entire previous season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Watkins, expected to be a top pick in the next WNBA draft if she declares, has regained full health and gained a new strategic perspective from her time off the court. Her collaboration with teammates including Jazzy Davidson and five-star recruit Saniyah Hall is anticipated to be pivotal as USC aims for its first national title since 1984.
At Notre Dame, senior guard Hannah Hidalgo enters the season as one of college basketball’s most dynamic players, renowned for her scoring ability, playmaking skills, and defensive prowess. Hidalgo posted 25.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.6 steals per game last season, securing consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference player and defensive player of the year honors while leading the Fighting Irish to the Elite Eight.
Texas senior forward Madison Booker faces increased leadership responsibilities following a wave of transfers. Booker averaged 18.9 points per game last season and is closing in on 2,000 career points. Her performance will be critical in Texas’ ambition to reach a third straight Final Four.
South Carolina’s junior forward Joyce Edwards carries the mantle as the Gamecocks' top scorer and rebounder from last season, averaging 19.2 points and 6.8 rebounds. Her development has drawn comparisons to former star A’ja Wilson, with South Carolina maintaining high national championship aspirations.
Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, the preseason Southeastern Conference player of the year, enters the season with momentum after leading the nation with 27 points per game last year. The junior guard set multiple scoring records and guided the Commodores to the Sweet 16, raising expectations for the team's postseason impact.
Other notable players include Michigan’s junior guard Olivia Olson, who averaged 18.9 points and 6.1 rebounds and hopes to build on the Wolverines’ Elite Eight finish; Duke’s junior forward Toby Fournier, who led the Blue Devils to a second consecutive ACC title with averages of 17.3 points and 7.9 rebounds; Ohio State’s junior guard Jaloni Cambridge, the conference’s leading scorer at 23.2 points per game; Oklahoma State senior center Audi Crooks, a highly efficient scorer who transferred from Iowa State; and Kentucky senior center Clara Strack, a dominant interior presence averaging a double-double and poised to become the Wildcats’ all-time leader in blocks.
These players headline what promises to be a highly competitive women’s college basketball season, with their experience and skill sets shaping the narrative across multiple programs aiming for national success.