ESPN ranks Caitlin Clark as No. 1 women’s college basketball player … again
As much as things change, they stay the same.
Iowa Hawkeyes superstar senior guard Caitlin Clark still reigns supreme. In its updated ranking of the top 25 players in women’s college basketball, Clark checks in at No. 1 … again.
Just like ESPN’s November edition of the women’s basketball player top 25, Clark was the unanimous No. 1 choice across ESPN’s 21 ballots.
I mean, who else could it be?
Clark has done nothing but reinforce the superstardom that surrounds her and fill up the stat sheet night after night. In leading No. 3 Iowa to a 12-1 (1-0 Big Ten) start, the West Des Moines native has been largely fabulous.
She already has a pair of triple-doubles this season, joining former Oregon great Sabrina Ionescu as the only women’s college basketball players to record triple-doubles in four seasons. Meanwhile, Clark keeps charging up the all-time women’s college basketball scoring list.
In fact, her 30.5 points per game average and her 48.7% field goal shooting are career bests. Clark is shooting 39.2% from 3-point distance, which ranks second among her four seasons in Iowa City.
The 6-foot senior guard is also averaging 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Her 3.7 turnovers per game this season are a career low.
It’s tough to remain atop the mountain of greatness when the world expects it from you every night. But, Clark has handled that pressure incredibly well and has her Hawkeyes squarely in the mix for a No. 1 seed come NCAA Tournament time.
Let’s take a look at all of Clark’s numbers so far and what ESPN had to say about her start to the 2023-24 women’s college basketball season. Plus, who else cracks ESPN’s top 10 players thus far and where do they stack up compared to where they were slotted when the season began?
No. 1: Caitlin Clark, Iowa Sr. G
Stats Thus Far: 30.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals per game, 48.7% FG, 39.2% 3-point FG, 80.2% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 1
Change In Ranking: No change.
What ESPN said about Clark:
The reigning national player of the year was No. 1 on every ballot, as she has led the Hawkeyes to an 11-1 start. With graduation losses, Clark’s load was certain to be even heavier this season, and she’s carrying it well. She has already passed big milestones of 3,000 points and 400 3-pointers as she chases NCAA career records in both. Her current turnover average (3.7) and shooting percentage (48.1) are both the best of her career. Clark’s games are events not just in Iowa City, but in every city she plays. – Michael Voepel, ESPN.
No. 2: Cameron Brink, Stanford Sr. F
Stats Thus Far: 19.2 points, 11.1 rebounds per game, 62.2% FG, 37.5% 3-point FG, 94.4% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 4
Change In Ranking: Up two spots.
No. 3: Paige Bueckers, UConn Jr. G
Stats Thus Far: 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.3 blocks per game, 53.0% FG, 47.9% 3-point FG, 79.2% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 3
Change In Ranking: No change.
No. 4: Alissa Pili, Utah Sr. F
Stats Thus Far: 23.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, 1.1 steals per game, 69.7% FG, 56.5% 3-point FG, 79.6% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 9
Change In Ranking: Up five spots.
No. 5: JuJu Watkins, USC Fr. G
Stats Thus Far: 26.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.6 steals, 1.4 blocks per game, 49.4% FG, 46.9% 3-point FG, 75.0% FT
Rank In The Preseason: NR
Change In Ranking: From unranked to No. 5.
No. 6: Rori Harmon, Texas Jr. G
Stats Thus Far: 14.1 points, 7.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 steals per game, 52.3% FG, 31.8% 3-point FG, 66.7% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 14
Change In Ranking: Up eight spots.
No. 7: Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina Sr. C
Stats Thus Far: 14.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 2.1 assists per game, 62.6% FG, 68.9% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 12
Change In Ranking: Up five spots.
No. 8: Aneesah Morrow, LSU Jr. G
Stats Thus Far: 18.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 1.5 blocks, 1.2 assists per game, 48.7% FG, 84.3% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 16
Change In Ranking: Up eight spots.
No. 9: Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech Sr. G
Stats Thus Far: 16.5 points, 7.7 assists, 3 rebounds per game, 42.1% FG, 32.6% 3-point FG, 88.9% FT
Rank In The Preseason: No. 13
Change In Ranking: Up five spots.
No. 10: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame Fr. G
Stats Thus Far: 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 6 steals per game, 51.1% FG, 38.6% 3-point FG, 79.6% FT
Rank In The Preseason: NR
Change In Ranking: From unranked to No. 10.
Others that jumped into the top 25 players
Others that jumped into the top 25 players:
No. 12: UCLA sophomore center, Lauren Betts: 16.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2 blocks per game, 77.1% FG, 63.2% FT
No. 19: Kansas State senior center, Ayoka Lee: 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game, 68.5% FG, 73.3% FT
No. 20: LSU freshman guard, Mikaylah Williams: 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals per game, 51.2% FG, 45.2% 3-point FG, 93.9% FT
No. 22: North Carolina State junior guard, Saniya Rivers: 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.1 steals per game, 46.7% FG, 30.0% 3-point FG, 73.3% FT
No. 23: UCLA sophomore guard, Kiki Rice: 13.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 steals per game, 54.4% FG, 32.1% 3-point FG, 90.3% FT
No. 24: North Carolina State junior guard, Aziaha James: 16.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game, 45.1% FG, 38.8% 3-point FG, 69.6% FT
No. 25: Gonzaga senior forward, Yvonne Ejim: 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 blocks per game, 65.5% FG, 86.4% FT
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