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NCAA Basketball: Top 10 rankings for 2022-23 Women’s Player of the Year Award

By Tristan Freeman

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) points to a teammate while checking into the game during a NCAA Big Ten Conference women's basketball game against Rutgers, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.230212 Rutgers Iowa Wbb 031 Jpg
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) points to a teammate while checking into the game during a NCAA Big Ten Conference women's basketball game against Rutgers, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.230212 Rutgers Iowa Wbb 031 Jpg /
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NCAA Basketball South Carolina Gamecocks guard Zia Cooke David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

In the past, one of the criticisms on the women’s side of NCAA Basketball has been the lack of talent being spread around, with a program such as UConn having the best players overall. But as a sport, it’s more balanced among the top 20 or teams nationally, with the national title picture having several quality candidates.

Speaking of candidates, there are a bunch in the mix for the National Player of the Year. Even without star guard Paige Bueckers playing for the Huskies due to an injury, there are several women that have a case to be made. Including some quality honorable mentions, here are the power rankings for the top individual award in NCAA Basketball.

Honorable Mention: Zia Cooke – South Carolina Gamecocks

As the leading scorer on the No. 1 team in the country (15.5 ppg), Cooke deserves a mention. She’s had six games of at least 20 points this season, including a season-high 31 on the road at Georgia. South Carolina has several players that have a case but there’s a clear one above Cooke and I didn’t want to have multiple women in the top 10.

HM: Elizabeth Kitley – Virginia Tech Hokies

The model of consistency, the 6’6 center has averaged 18.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg in the past three seasons, leading the Hokies in both of the main categories. Kitley has 16 double-doubles in 25 games, including 20 rebounds against Notre Dame. Virginia Tech currently leads the ACC in the standings and she’s the clear favorite for ACC Player of the Year.

HM: Leigha Brown – Michigan Wolverines

In a Big Ten filled with national stars, the 5th-year senior has played very well to keep Michigan in the mix. She leads the team with 18.2 ppg and 5.7 apg, including a recent 36-point performance in a loss to Ohio State. Brown has been on triple-double watch several times, with the closest being a 29-12-8 effort in a road victory at Michigan State.

HM: Kaylynne Truong – Gonzaga Bulldogs

Just like on the men’s side, Gonzaga Women’s Basketball is the best mid-major team, consistently ranked in the top-25. The leader of the group is Kaylynne Truong, who leads the Bulldogs with 16.5 ppg and 5.2 apg. She’s doing it all without her sister and fellow starting guard Kayleigh Truong, who has been out with an injury early in the year. With a 25-3 record and projected 5/6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the healthy Truong has been great.

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