It is that time of year once again! The start of the new women’s college basketball season is upon us with multiple story lines and players to watch for. This also means the women’s college basketball players rankings are back! This is the third year of compiling these rankings and they take a lot of time, energy and effort. It is a pleasure to do them every year, but keep in mind that these rankings can change from now until March. I have received tons of feedback over the years on these rankings and it is great to see how they have been received from the women’s basketball community. Thank you all for the constant support on these rankings. I sincerely appreciate it.
The preseason rankings are combined of a combination of what happened last year and what is most likely predicted this season from the players. Remember, this list can change and new players can be added OR subtracted from the list. These rankings can change and are updated weekly. These rankings are designed to help gauge who really are the top players in women’s college basketball and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to read the FAQ regarding these rankings. Any additional questions or queries, leave them in the comments and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Listed below are the preseason rankings for the top 36 seniors, the top 27 juniors, the top 18 sophomores and the top 9 freshmen for 2018-2019. Curious to see who made last year’s preseason rankings? Click here for that list.
*Note: Only active players are listed below. Transfer and or red-shirt players are included if they are playing this season*
SENIORS
- Asia Durr – Louisville
- Kalani Brown – Baylor
- Teaira McCowan – Mississippi State
- Arike Ogunbowale – Notre Dame
- Sophie Cunningham – Missouri
- Napheesa Collier – Connecticut
- Katie Lou Samuelson – Connecticut
- Megan Gustafson – Iowa
- Kitija Laksa – South Florida
- Kristine Anigwe – California
- Anriel Howard – Texas A&M
- Allazia Blockton – Marquette
- Kennedy Leonard – Colorado
- Jessica Shepard – Notre Dame
- Caliya Robinson – Georgia
- Bridget Carleton – Iowa State
- Kenisha Bell – Minnesota
- Lashaan Higgs – Texas
- Kennedy Burke – UCLA
- Alanna Smith – Stanford
- Naomi Davenport – West Virginia
- Alexis Jennings – South Carolina
- Khaalia Hillsman – Texas A&M
- Kianna Ibis – Arizona State
- Paris Kea – North Carolina
- Maite Cazorla – Oregon
- Teniya Page – Penn State
- Kiara Leslie – NC State
- Amy Okonkwo – TCU
- Jaisa Nunn – New Mexico State
- Mart’e Grays – DePaul
- Carmen Grande – Ball State
- Chanette Hicks – Virginia Tech
- Zykera Rice – Gonzaga
- Chloe Jackson – LSU
- Rosemarie Julien – FGCU
JUNIORS
- Sabrina Ionescu – Oregon
- Kaila Charles – Maryland
- Lauren Cox – Baylor
- Ruthy Hebard – Oregon
- Jackie Young – Notre Dame
- Bella Alarie – Princeton
- Crystal Dangerfield – Connecticut
- Tiana Mangakahia – Syracuse
- Taryn McCutcheon – Michigan State
- Kelly Jekot – Villanova
- Leaonna Odom – Duke
- Robbi Ryan – Arizona State
- Mikayla Pivec – Oregon State
- Peyton Williams – Kansas State
- Kathleen Doyle – Iowa
- Joyner Holmes – Texas
- Ayana Mitchell – LSU
- Hannah Whitish – Nebraska
- Ciara Duffy – South Dakota
- DiJonai Carrington – Stanford
- Mackenzie Meyer – Iowa
- Shay Colley – Michigan State
- Reili Richardson – Arizona State
- Kelly Campbell – DePaul
- Becca Hitner – Drake
- Nicea Eliely – Nebraska
- Jeannie Boehm – Harvard
SOPHOMORES
- Chennedy Carter – Texas A&M
- Rennia Davis – Tennessee
- Satou Sabally – Oregon
- Annika Jank – Colorado
- Kate Cain – Nebraska
- Evina Westbrook – Tennessee
- Janelle Bailey – North Carolina
- Kianna Smith – California
- Shaina Pellington – Oklahoma
- Karissa McLaughlin – Purdue
- Hailey Brown – Michigan
- Mia Davis – Temple
- Mykea Gray – Miami
- Elah Parker – Penn
- Karly Murphy – Green Bay
- Kianna Williams – Stanford
- Bianca Jackson – South Carolina
- Sidney Cooks – Michigan State
FRESHMEN
- Charli Collier – Texas
- Christyn Williams – Connecticut
- Shakira Austin – Maryland
- Rhyne Howard – Kentucky
- Olivia Nelson – Ododa – Connecticut
- Destanni Henderson – South Carolina
- Catherine Reese – Arizona
- Lexie Hull – Stanford
- Aquira DeCosta – Baylor
Women's Basketball News and Opinions 
Dear Ms. Khan:
I don’t know where you factor in grad students (who in this case is in her 4th year of eligibility), but I’d have to think you’d want to include Notre Dame Center Brianna Turner in your senior list. She’s nowhere to be found and was, after all, an All-American as a junior before being hurt.
Also, no Marina Mabrey? Pre-season first-team All-ACC choice?
Lastly, Ms. Howard is now playing for Mississippi State.