The WNBA has only so many roster spots, and pay is still light. Owners are worried about the wear-and-tear of the Unrivaled league (which is paying well), but nothing matches Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) checks from the blue-blood college programs and sponsors.

Well, nothing except a conference championship ring and the memories of making a Final Four run. No one can take away a national title pedigree. It’s legacy. That’s one major reason 5wins believes the following 25 players are returning to the NCAA, including those who are eligible to declare for the WNBA.

There is a bit of time before the 2025-26 NCAA women’s basketball season tips off, and it’s easy to argue the game is in better shape than ever before. The landscape is loaded with talent returning to chase glory. From powerhouse programs like UConn and South Carolina, to rising squads like TCU and Ole Miss, these athletes are poised to define the season. Drawing from recent analyses, transfer portal moves, and early projections, here’s our definitive list of the top 25 returning players ready to light up the scoreboard and fill up the trophy cabinets.

From dominant post players to electric guards, this group is loaded with talent ready to make the 2025-26 NCAA women’s basketball season one for the ages.

1. Lauren Betts (UCLA, C, Sr.)

Notes: A guaranteed 20 points per game (PPG) shooting 64.8% in a 6-foot-7 dominant center package. Preseason Player of the Year favorite. Sister Sienna Betts is joining soon. Later? 2026 WNBA First Overall Pick.

Why #1: NCAA Defensive Player of the Year. Elite offensive production and UCLA’s loaded roster make her a title catalyst. Last seen going hippie chic at Coachella.

2. Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame, G, Jr.)

Notes: Had 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 3.6 assists last season. Notre Dame record books stuff from the now two-time All-American. Face of the Game in the post-Caitlin, post-Paige era and Notre Dame’s leader despite roster changes.

As she noted: "We already knew we were going to have a lot of seniors graduating. We knew that. But I didn't really expect that many people to get into the portal."

Why #2: Unmatched scoring and playmaking with defensive intensity.

"I feel like for me, I think this year I've really grown. I've seen and know how I want to lead. No, 'I'mma say this and do something different.'

3. Sarah Strong (UConn, F, So.)

Notes: Scores a versatile 16.4 PPG and adds 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. UConn’s best everything at times. Geno’s number one freshman in 2024-25 and the anointed post- Paige Bueckers star.

Why #3: Versatile skill set and proven freshman dominance. Even UConn’s official site calls her a “generational talent.”

Raegan Beers

4. Raegan Beers (Oklahoma, C, Sr.)

Notes: Beers was fourth among Power 4 conference players in shooting percentage this past season. Once the entry pass is in her hands, consider the shot up and on the rim. Hard to block, hard to beat to the spot.

Why #4: You see the top three? This is going to be a war of a season.

5. Kiki Rice (UCLA, G, Jr.)

Notes: An elite point guard who orchestrates UCLA’s high-powered offense and adds 12.8 PPG. Rice is a projected top five pick in 2026 WNBA draft, if healthy. Offseason shoulder surgery was successful.

Why #5: Clutch scoring and playmaking for a title contender. Rice was the second-leading scorer on UCLA's Final Four team and the top playmaker as she led the Bruins in assists. She shot 53.3% from 2-point range and 36.5% from behind the arc. WNBA scouts need to see that volume ramp up considerably.

6. Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina, G, Jr.)

Notes: South Carolina’s website calls her a “game-changer,” and it’s hard to argue with 25.2 points plus 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game as a transfer from Florida State. Led the nation in scoring. Needs to show WNBA scouts the three-point shot is dialed in. Expect beyond-the-arc actions to be the focus this offseason.

Why #6: Dawn Staley will unlock a new level to Latson’s versatility-based game. Fits South Carolina’s championship pedigree.

7. Flau’jae Johnson (LSU, G, Sr.)

Notes: An All-American talent adding 18.6 PPG and 5.6 RPG, plus she’s a rapper! Leadership and two-way play keep LSU elite.

Why #7: Dynamic guard with championship experience. Kim Mulkey will unleash a menace looking to prove a point next season.

Audi Crooks

8. Audi Crooks (Iowa State, C, Jr.)

Notes: Averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and shot 58.2% FG last season. A dominant low-post scorer with a soft touch and relentless rebounding. Named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team selection. Social media buzz highlights her work ethic, with Iowa State’s official accounts showcasing her summer training clips dominating the paint.

Why #8: Expected to anchor Iowa State’s frontcourt and push for All-American honors. Efficiency and scoring prowess make her a matchup nightmare. The ability to dominate inside complements Iowa State’s up-tempo style, positioning Crooks as a top-tier NCAAW center. However, improving the defensive mobility could elevate her WNBA Draft status.

1923024283443270016

9. Mikaylah Williams (LSU, G, Jr.)

Notes: A silky scorer, thrives with LSU’s other top recruits and adds 17.3 PPG. Dominating the summer Team USA 3x3 circuit and expected to be on an Olympic team sooner rather than later.

Why #9: High-efficiency scoring and upside.

10. Azzi Fudd (UConn, G, Sr.)

Notes: Fudd is back for her fifth year after a series of injuries. Fudd was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player (43 points, 55.2% FGA) in UConn's victories over UCLA and South Carolina. The trophies look nice, but they need friends. The WNBA will want a larger sample size of Fudd play due to injuries.

Why #10: Stars in the role, stretches defenses for UConn’s balanced attack.

11. Olivia Miles (TCU, G, Sr.)

Notes: Stunned the college basketball world when she left Notre Dame for TCU after expecting to be the number two draft pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. TCU is getting 15.4 PPG with 40.6% of three-point shooting. She’s an elite playmaker with triple-double potential, and just needs to find a killer instinct on defense after a soft season-ending, dream-dashing loss against TCU last season.

Why #11: Game-changing vision and versatility for TCU.

12. Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss, F, Gr.)

Notes: A 16.5 PPG and 37.4% three-point sniper transferring from Ohio State to Ole Miss. Versatile, physical forward with grit and a high-motor forward, McMahon should adjust well inside the arc. Outside? Well…there is no bigger prove-it season in the Gulf South.

Why #12: Scoring and rebounding elevate Ole Miss to SEC contender status.

13. MiLaysia Fulwiley (LSU, G, Jr.)

Notes: A transfer from South Carolina, explosive guard with scoring flair who is also dropping buckets and swatting shots on the Team USA 3x3 circuit this summer. Averaging 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists after two SEC seasons. Expected to have a bigger role in Baton Rouge.

Why #13: Dynamic addition to LSU’s backcourt. Spices up the SEC’s best rivalry.

14. Serah Williams (UConn, F, Sr.)

Notes: Transfer from Wisconsin, 19.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.3 BPG monster. Bolsters UConn’s frontcourt as the most productive two-way big in the country. Big Ten's defensive player of the year in 2024 and twice earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors.

Why #14: Dominant interior presence looking for a FIRST winning season after being buried in Wisconsin.

15. Yarden Garzon (Maryland, G, Sr.)

Notes: A transfer from Indiana who posted 14.4 PPG on 40.7% three-point shooting per game. Sharpshooting wing. Willing to yap and scrap with the best of the Big Ten. Size to make a difference on both ends with the shooting to rise into the WNBA Draft’s Top 5 conversation.

Why #15: Elite shooting for Maryland’s up-tempo style. Going for 100 three-pointers total next year after falling just short (88) last season.

16. Janiah Barker (Tennessee, F, Sr.)

Notes: Transfer from UCLA by way of Texas A&M. Adds frontcourt depth who can average a double-double. Should adapt well to SEC play once again and have a more stable role with Tennessee.

Why #16: Versatile forward for Tennessee’s rebuild, but was pushed out of UCLA rotations at times. Still, any Final Four experience is invaluable around Knoxville post-Pat Summitt.

17. Sa’Myah Smith (Virginia, F, RS-Jr.)

Notes: The out-of-the-blue transfer from LSU, who averaged 11.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in the SEC, is coming in to be more than a rebounding machine. Smith was a key contributor off the bench during LSU’s 2023 national championship run, earning SEC All-Freshman honors after playing in 36 games that year.

Why #17: Injury woes, workload, and rust counterbalance the upside in a bigger role.

18. Chloe Kitts (South Carolina, F, Sr.)

Notes: Averaging 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game might not be impressive, but just watch South Carolina play. Kitts keeps things moving and puts out fires before others even know there was smoke.

Why #18: The reigning SEC tournament MVP gets respect.

Chloe Kitts

19. Dani Carnegie (Georgia, G, Jr.)

Notes: Transfer from Georgia Tech posting 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists to win ACC Sixth Player of the Year.

Why #19: Brought in to be the lead Dawg. Still need to see if it’s more bark than bite in Athens with that 38.3% FGA ugliness.

20. Oluchi Okananwa (Maryland, G, Jr.)

Notes: A transfer from Duke, who is a defensive specialist. ACC tournament MVP after averaging 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Why #20: Defensive anchors with offensive growth potential are always a fun watch. Okananwa will be the main option in Maryland.

21. Tonie Morgan (Kentucky, G, Jr.)

Notes: Transfer from Georgia Tech, averaging 13.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game on 48.9% shooting. Playmaking guard for Kentucky’s backcourt sets the table for others well enough to give everyone in the SEC trouble.

Why #21: Morgan was third in the ACC with 5.6 assists per game.

22. RaShaya Kyle (Miami, C, Jr.)

Notes: Transfer from Florida, dominant post player at 6-foot-6. Perfect WNBA-ready frame and fundamentals.

Why #22: Gainesville’s second-leading scorer (14.1 PPG) and finished in the top six in the SEC in rebounding (8.7 RPG) and field goal percentage (59.4%) moves south to Coral Gables.

23. Jana El Alfy (UConn, C, Jr.)

Notes: She became the first African woman invited to the NBA Global Academy in Australia and earned MVP honors at the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Camp in Cairo, awarded by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

Why #23: Unique size and skill to unlock for UConn’s Geno Auriemma.

24. Jaloni Cambridge (Ohio State, G, So.)

Notes: Cambridge makes up with heart what is lacking in height (5-foot-7). She started 29 games this past season for the Buckeyes, averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, leading to co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

Why #24: Starred as a freshman and ready to take on a bigger role with the departure of Cotie McMahon.

25. Allie Turner (Gonzaga, G, So.)

Notes: Honorable Mention All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Turner led all freshmen (11th nationally) in 3-pointers made per game (3.1), and that 45.7% accuracy rate ranked 17th nationally. She also averaged 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. With Turner’s help, Gonzaga made the quarterfinals of the WBIT.

Why #25: Gonzaga is a growing brand, and next season depends on Turner’s star potential every night.