Women's basketball is as big as it has ever been, and there are no signs of slowing down. There are tons of intriguing players to watch, whether it's breakout candidates, old faces in new places, or a superstar returning from an injury after a year away.
I listed 10 men's players to watch here.
Juju Watkins - guard, USC
The hyper-anticipated return of Juju Watkins is almost here. She tore her ACL in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, which caused her to miss all of last season. If she returns to her previous form, she could be the best player in women's college basketball, with only UConn's Sarah Strong and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo able to challenge her for that title.
Blanca Quiñonez - guard, UConn
Blanca Quiñonez was the Big East Rookie and Sixth Woman of the Year last season. But it was her performance in the NCAA Tournament that really showed her potential. In the first four games of the tournament she averaged 17.25 points per game. Her tournament was highlighted by a 20 point 8 rebounds performance in the Elite Eight win over 6 seed Notre Dame. With an even bigger role in store for the Ecuador native this season, she should be exciting to watch.
Kaety L'Amoreaux - guard, Fairfield
Kaety L'Amoreaux is one of my favorite players. She's only 5'6", but like with fellow tiny point guards Georgia Amoore and Rori Harmon, she hasn't let that stop her. She is the reigning MAAC Player of the Year. She was the best scorer in the conference a season ago, avergaing 17.1 points per game. She led the conference in PPG, FG%, effective FG%, and free throw percentage. L'Amoreaux also led her Fairfield Stags in assists and steals, and despite her lack of size was second on the team in rebounds. Fairfield has become one of the best mid-major programs in the country, and L'Amoreaux is their leader.
Taryn Barbot and Taylor Barbot - guards, Pittsburgh
The Barbot twins were loyal to College of Charleston for three years, and after racking up lots of awards they lead the Cougars to their first ever NCAA Tournament birth after winning the CAA Tournament Championship last March. Taryn was a starter from the moment she stepped on campus. She was the 2024 CAA Rookie of the Year, and then won the CAA Player of the Year award each of the past two seasons. She's also two-time CAA All-Defense, three-time All-CAA, and the 2026 CAA Tournament MVP. I've seen her in person a few times over the past three years, and she is extremely exciting to watch. Her skills should translate as she moves up to the ACC. Her twin sister Taylor was Charleston's second-best player the past two seasons, earning All-CAA honors both of those years, and goes with her sister to Pitt.
Kate Harpring - guard, North Carolina
Being a (depending on who you ask) top-2 recruit in a class always has pressure that comes with it. But when you're also now the highest-rated recruit to ever commit to a program, especially a storied program like UNC, that adds even more pressure. Kate Harpring has had a huge rise and keeps getting better and better. She does everything really well. That aforementioned pressure shouldn't faze her.
Talaysia Cooper - guard, Ole Miss
Losing Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee's leader in points, assists, steals, and 3-pointers last season, was a devastating blow to a Lady Vols program that is desperately trying to return to its former glory. Losing her to SEC-rival Ole Miss was like rubbing salt in the wound. The Rebels have been on the rise the past couple of years, and Cooper instantly becomes their best player.
Clara Strack - center, Kentucky
Clara Strack is one of those players that simply isn't talked about enough. She was the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, then averaged a double-double last season, and yet I still don't think she's talked about enough. She might be the second-best center in the country.
Natalie Potts - forward, Nebraska
Natalie Potts hasn't played basketball in a long time. She tore her ACL in a game against North Alabama nine days before Thanksgiving in 2024, just five games into that season, and has not played since. She was hoping to come back last season but couldn't. She had been off to a stellar start to her sophomore season after winning Big Ten Rookie of the Year the year before. But now, by the time the season starts in November, it will be just shy of two full years since her last game. If she can return to form from before her injury, it would be huge for Nebrasketball.
Emilee Skinner - guard, Duke
Emilee Skinner is another player coming off of an injury. She was ranked as high as fourth in the Class of 2025, but unfortunately was limited to just three games as a freshman due to a lingering lower-body injury. She's a big, off-ball guard who can shoot and drive, and her length gives Duke a tough matchup to deploy on the wing.
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