Who is the best women’s basketball player of all time?
In the world of sports, where stories of effort, determination, and success always captivate fans, women’s basketball stands out with exceptional individuals who have won the hearts of millions around the globe. These outstanding female basketball players are not only talented athletes but also symbols of perseverance and sportsmanship. Let’s learn about the best women’s basketball player with kingsoccertips in the global sports community.
Top 10 Best women’s basketball player for 2023-24
1. Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Clark made waves worldwide during Iowa’s national championship game last season. Although the Hawkeyes did not clinch the title, it’s hard to forget how they reached that stage.
Clark has no shortage of accolades to prove why she is one of the best college basketball players around. She won the 2023 Naismith Player of the Year award after averaging 27.8 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game with a 47.3% shooting percentage. She led the nation with 19 games in which she recorded at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
In her 100th career game, against LSU in the final, she reached 2,717 career points, becoming the highest-scoring player in Division I basketball during that span. She also became the first player in Division I women’s basketball history to record over 1,000 points and 300 assists in a single season, with 1,055 points and 327 assists, breaking the Big Ten record for most points scored in a season.
During Iowa’s NCAA Tournament run, Clark became the first player to achieve a 40-point triple-double and the first to have back-to-back 40-point games, one of which came in the semifinals.
Undoubtedly, she is expected to accomplish great things this year, whether this will be her final season as a Hawkeye or not. Simply put, Clark is considered the best women’s basketball player in the world.
2. Angel Reese, LSU
Bayou Barbie returns for her junior season and second year with LSU. As a national champion, Reese played a crucial role in leading her Tigers to their first program title.
Last season, she set an NCAA single-season record with 34 double-doubles. She ended the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds against Iowa in the championship game. Reese led the SEC in points (23.0) and rebounds (15.4) per game, becoming the fourth player in conference history to lead in both categories. Her achievements in the SEC record books don’t stop there, as she set the record for the most total rebounds with 555. For LSU, she recorded the third-most points in a season with 830.
On December 14, 2022, against Lamar, she accomplished something no recent basketball player has done. She became the only player in the NBA, WNBA, or Division I in the past 20 years to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and shoot over 80% from the field in a game. Reese was named the 2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player and also received the ESPY Breakthrough Athlete of the Year award, further solidifying her reputation as the best women’s basketball player in the world.
3. Paige Bueckers, UConn
Returning to the Huskies after two injury-plagued seasons, Bueckers missed all of last year due to an ACL tear, and the previous season played only 17 games before suffering a torn meniscus and a fractured tibia. If she stays healthy, she could lead UConn back to the Final Four. She helped accomplish that as a freshman in 2021, averaging 20.0 points on 52.4% shooting.
She became the first freshman to win the Naismith Trophy. That season, she also won the Wooden Award, was named AP Player of the Year, and was selected to the All-America team. She set a freshman season record with 168 assists. While reaching those heights again will be challenging, UConn coach Geno Auriemma believes she can do it. He said Bueckers looks even better now than she did then.
4. Cameron Brink, Stanford
Like Bueckers, Brink had a memorable freshman year, winning a national championship with Stanford. She didn’t face any late-season injuries like Bueckers, but the Cardinal has struggled since that 2021 season. They lost to UConn in the 2022 Final and were upset in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. They also did not win the Pac-12 title. They also did not win the Pac-12 title. Despite this, Brink still shone as the best women’s basketball player in her own right.
She was named AP All-America in her sophomore and senior years and, in 2023, was honored as the WBCA Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 3.5 blocks per game, third in the nation. She averaged 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists during the season. She also broke the program’s career block record last year with 298. In January, she recorded Stanford’s first triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks. She continues to demonstrate why she deserves recognition as the best women’s basketball player in the world.
5. Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech retained plenty of talent after a season that saw them reach their first Final Four, led by fifth-year senior Kitley. In the team’s dream season, she averaged 18.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks to earn ACC Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive time. She’s certainly one of the greatest Hokies ever, as Kitley leads the program all-time in points (2,048), made field goals (831), and blocks (271).
She’s the only VT player to be a three-time All-ACC First Teamer, two-time All-Defensive Team member, and two-time AP All-American. During the 2022-23 season, she recorded 23 double-doubles and was one of three women’s basketball players to average 18 points and 10.5 rebounds.
6. Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
Similar to Kitley, Holmes has etched her name into the history of her program’s basketball achievements. She is the only Hoosier women’s basketball player to earn All-American honors on the first team, an accolade she received last season with a unanimous selection. That season, she finished with the nation’s third-highest field goal percentage (68.0%) and ranked seventh in points per game (22.3). These achievements earned her the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award and placed her on the Naismith Trophy semifinalist list.
Holmes didn’t just leave a mark with her numbers in a single season. With 1,897 points, she ranks fourth on Indiana’s all-time scoring list. Her robust offensive prowess is evidenced by impressive scoring and solid defensive ability, highlighted by 208 career blocks, being second in program history. Additionally, she made significant contributions in rebounding with 774 boards, ranking eighth on Indiana’s all-time list.
Holmes’s career is a testament to her relentless effort and exceptional talent, making her not only a standout in Indiana basketball history but also the best women basketball players of all time. She’s not just an outstanding athlete but a role model for sportsmanship and determination.
7. Alissa Pili, Utah
In her first season after transferring from USC to Utah, Pili made a name for herself. She earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors after leading the conference in scoring (643 points) and field goal percentage (59.9%). She averaged 20.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1 steal per game.
Unfortunately, her 2023-24 season with the Utes got off to a rough start. In the season opener against Mississippi Valley State, she suffered a scratched cornea in the first half. She was taken to the hospital and it is uncertain when she’ll return to the court. Hopefully, she will return soon, as she scored a team-high 26 points in just 15 minutes of play.
8. Hailey Van Lith, LSU
Perhaps the biggest news in women’s basketball this season was Hailey Van Lith’s transfer from Louisville. Van Lith had three impressive seasons with the Cardinals, leading the team in scoring for two consecutive years and helping them reach the Finals in 2022. Her standout performance was recognized when she was named the Wichita Regional Most Outstanding Player. Last season, Van Lith continued to showcase her talent with averages of 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. She was one of only two Power 5 players to achieve these impressive numbers, demonstrating her versatility and confirming her status as the best women’s basketball player in the world.
Now, she has decided to head south, joining LSU to don the purple and gold. Van Lith’s arrival at LSU not only provides a strong addition to the lineup but also enhances the Tigers’ hopes of capturing another crown. With superior skills and high-level experience, she promises to be a key factor in helping LSU overcome challenges in the upcoming season. Van Lith’s transfer is not just a notable roster change but also a significant mark in the landscape of women’s basketball, creating high expectations and excitement among fans and professionals alike. Her progress at LSU will be closely followed, and women’s basketball enthusiasts surely won’t want to miss a moment of this talented young star.
9. Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
South Carolina is essentially starting fresh this season after losing its entire starting lineup from last year. However, the Gamecocks are fully capable of making a run to their fourth consecutive Final Four, and one of the key factors in getting there is Kamilla Cardoso. The senior was honored as the SEC’s Sixth Woman of the Year in 2023, an impressive feat in a roster full of stars under coach Dawn Staley.
Last season, Cardoso recorded 134 blocked shots, the second-best mark in program history. In the SEC, she ranked second in offensive rebounds per game (3.7), third in total rebounds per game (8.5), and fourth in blocks per game (1.9). In the Gamecocks’ season opener against Notre Dame in Paris, she shined with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks, asserting her pivotal role in the lineup. With her contributions and impressive skills, Cardoso is an indispensable factor in South Carolina’s quest to overcome the challenges of this season.
10. Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
In her first season with Tennessee last year, Rickea Jackson earned AP All-America Honorable Mention, marking her first national recognition after playing for Mississippi State. Jackson showcased impressive form with averages of 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, along with a career-best 54.8% shooting from the field.
Jackson’s scoring average ranked third overall in the SEC, highlighting her consistency and efficiency on the court. Notably, she set a Lady Vols record by scoring at least 20 points in 8 consecutive games, from February 6 to March 4, a testament to her exceptional offensive prowess and steadfastness in crucial matchups. With these achievements, Jackson not only affirmed her talent but also made significant contributions to Tennessee’s success.
Conclusion
In women’s college basketball, the distinction of “best player” transcends mere statistics; it signifies a blend of exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and profound impact. Athletes like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers epitomize these qualities with their remarkable performances on the court, setting records and earning accolades that reflect their skill and leadership. Beyond their achievements, they inspire teammates and fans alike, embodying resilience and sportsmanship that define their legacy in the sport. Their influence extends far beyond the game, making them true icons and deserving recipients of the title “best women’s basketball player“.
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