Author: Aneela Khan

Hello there! My name is Aneela Khan. I am a blogger & writer who lives in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada. I focus on blogging and writing on women's college basketball, (especially the women's college basketball rankings!) Team Canada senior women's national team and WNBA. I also write on some other online outlets as well. I love to read, write, watch basketball (and other sports) and enjoy my family. I hope you enjoy reading my blog posts. Take care, Aneela

Women’s College Basketball Player Rankings – Class by Class! Week 16

lindsey pulliam, northwestern
~ Aneela Khan ~ 4 Comments

As we end the women’s college basketball regular season comes to a close, more and more upsets occur every week which makes the rankings so hard to make and update for myself as players come in and then are out the next week, etc but as I have stated before in previous rankings post, it sure is fun to watch.

As my rankings are winding down, normally next week would be the final overall rankings post. HOWEVER, because of the nature of upsets this season from many teams, one more week is definitely needed to sort out all of the player rankings, so the FINAL OVERALL Women’s College Basketball Player Rankings will be out Monday, March 9th. Make sure you follow my blog so you can receive the rankings first via email.

Listed below are the top 36 seniors (four players tied!), top 27 juniors, top 18 sophomores and top 11 freshmen (four players were tied!) for the week of February 17th to February 23rd. If you are new to these rankings OR have questions, please read the FAQ page first. If you would like to view last week’s rankings, you may do so here.

SENIORS

  1. Sabrina Ionescu – Oregon
  2. Ruthy Hebard – Oregon
  3. Lauren Cox – Baylor
  4. Amber Melgoza – Washington
  5. Bella Alarie – Princeton
  6. Cameron Onken – Villanova
  7. Kaila Charles – Maryland
  8. Kylee Shook – Louisville
  9. Tyasha Harris – South Carolina
  10. Mikiah Herbert Harrigan – South Carolina
  11. Jazmine Jones – Louisville
  12. Mary Gedaka – Villanova
  13. Brittany Brewer – Texas Tech
  14. Kianna Ray – TCU
  15. Ciara Duffy – South Dakota
  16. Nicki Ekhomu – Florida State
  17. Reili Richardson – Arizona State
  18. Leaonna Odom – Duke
  19. Alexa Willard – Missouri State
  20. Kamiah Smalls – James Madison
  21. Kathleen Doyle – Iowa
  22. Haley Gorecki – Duke
  23. Stephanie Jones – Maryland
  24. Kristen Spolyar – Butler
  25. Jocelyn Willoughby – Virginia
  26. Emma Guy – Boston College
  27. Sara Rhine – Drake & Erica Ogwumike – Rice
  28. Taryn McCutcheon – Michigan State
  29. Juicy Landrum – Baylor
  30. Keri Jewett – Giles – FGCU
  31. Ellie Harmeyer – Belmont
  32. Fallyn Freije – Montana State
  33. DJ Williams – Coastal Carolina
  34. Bailey Greenberg – Drexel
  35. Rebekah Hand – Marist
  36. Stella Johnson – Rider & Ericka Mattingly – UMKC

JUNIORS

  1. Chennedy Carter – Texas A&M
  2. Kiana Williams – Stanford
  3. Lindsey Pulliam – Northwestern
  4. Destiny Slocum – Oregon State
  5. Megan Walker – Connecticut
  6. Kayla Wells – Texas A&M
  7. Rennia Davis – Tennessee
  8. Jasmine Walker – Alabama
  9. Lorela Cubaj – Georgia Tech
  10. Amber Ramirez – Arkansas
  11. Kiara Lewis – Syracuse
  12. Jenna Staiti – Georgia
  13. Selena Lott – Marquette
  14. Lauren Heard – TCU
  15. Ali Patberg – Indiana
  16. Arella Guirantes – Rutgers
  17. Erin Boley – Oregon
  18. Jenn Wirth – Gonzaga
  19. Jill Townsend – Gonzaga
  20. Chloe Lamb – South Dakota
  21. Micaela Kelly – Central Michigan
  22. Chelsey Perry – UT Martin
  23. Abby Kapp – Bucknell
  24. Daniella Hatcher – Bethune – Cookman
  25. Aja Boyd – UNC Greensboro
  26. Maeve Carroll – Maine
  27. Brice Calip – Missouri State

SOPHOMORES

  1. Rhyne Howard – Kentucky
  2. NaLyssa Smith – Baylor
  3. Monika Czinano – Iowa
  4. Naz Hillmon – Michigan
  5. Ashley Joens – Iowa State
  6. Veronica Burton – Northwestern
  7. Andrea Torres – Utah
  8. Elissa Cunane – NC State
  9. Olivia Nelson – Ododa – Connecticut
  10. Jasmine Franklin – Missouri State
  11. Taylor Soule – Boston College
  12. Charli Collier – Texas
  13. Grace Berger – Indiana
  14. Dorka Juhasz – Ohio State
  15. Taylor Mikesell – Maryland
  16. Angel Baker – Wright State
  17. Amber Leggett – Sam Houston State
  18. Luana Serranho – Campbell

FRESHMEN

  1. Zia Cooke – South Carolina
  2. Ayoka Lee – Kansas State
  3. Jaylyn Sherrod – Colorado
  4. Aliyah Boston – South Carolina
  5. Taylor Jones – Oregon State & Jakia Brown- Turner – NC State
  6. Lavender Briggs – Florida
  7. Sam Brunelle – Notre Dame
  8. Alissa Pili – USC
  9. Anna Makurat – Connecticut and Leilani Correa – St. John’s

Women’s College Basketball Player Rankings – Class by Class! Week 15

DJ Williams, coastal carolina
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

This week was filled with some more upsets of top ranked teams, teams finally winning against ranked opponents and teams winning in the final minutes of the game. It definitely continues the theme of this women’s college basketball season which can be summed up in one word: unpredictable. We only have a few weeks left in conference play, which should make the following weeks even more interesting.

Listed below are the top 36 seniors, the top 27 juniors, the top 18 sophomores and the top 9 freshmen for the week of Feb. 10th to Feb. 16th. If you are a first time reader or have questions, please read the FAQ page first. Click here to view last week’s rankings list.

SENIORS

  1. Ruthy Hebard – Oregon
  2. Sabrina Ionescu – Oregon
  3. Tyasha Harris – South Carolina
  4. Lauren Cox – Baylor
  5. Stephanie Jones – Maryland
  6. Kylee Shook – Louisville
  7. Leaonna Odom – Duke
  8. Hayley Gorecki – Duke
  9. Francesca Pan – Georgia Tech
  10. Chante Stonewall – DePaul
  11. Mikiah Herbert Harrigan – South Carolina
  12. Reili Richardson – Arizona State
  13. Ae’Rianna Harris – Purdue
  14. Crystal Dangerfield – UConn
  15. DJ Williams – Coastal Carolina
  16. Jocelyn Willoughby – Virginia
  17. Peyton Williams – Kansas State
  18. Bella Alarie – Princeton
  19. Alexis Tolefree – Arkansas
  20. Isabelle Spingola – Marquette
  21. Mary Gedaka – Villanova
  22. Abi Scheid – Northwestern
  23. Keri Jewett – Giles – FGCU
  24. Alana Gilmer – Marist
  25. Taylor Edwards – Old Dominion
  26. Kamiah Smalls – James Madison
  27. Kaela Hilaire – Stony Brook
  28. Kay Kay Wright – UCF
  29. Bailey Greenberg – Drexel
  30. Chelsea Brackmann – Bradley
  31. Sydney Nunley – Radford
  32. Kendall Grasela – Pennsylvania
  33. Fallyn Freije – Montana State
  34. Ellie Mack – Bucknell
  35. Nadine Soliman – UNC Greensboro
  36. Nneka Ezeigbo – Robert Morris

JUNIORS

  1. Chennedy Carter- Texas A&M
  2. Kiana Williams – Stanford
  3. Aari McDonald – Arizona
  4. Dana Evans – Louisville
  5. Satou Sabally – Oregon
  6. Kiara Lewis – Syracuse
  7. Megan Walker – UConn
  8. N’dea Jones – Texas A&M
  9. Khayla Pointer – LSU
  10. Jenna Staiti – Georgia
  11. Sam Thomas – Arizona
  12. Mya Hollingshed – Colorado
  13. Chloe Lamb – South Dakota
  14. DiDi Richards – Baylor
  15. Micaela Kelly – Central Michigan
  16. Carlie Littlefield – Princeton
  17. Jenn Wirth – Gonzaga
  18. Raneem Elgedawy – Western Kentucky
  19. Chasity Patterson – Kentucky
  20. Cierra Hall – UC Davis
  21. Tesia Thompson – Southeast Missouri State
  22. Amaya Scott – Bethune Cookman
  23. Araion Bradshaw – Dayton
  24. Ameshya Williams – Jackson State
  25. Myah Pace – San Diego
  26. Jill Townsend – Gonzaga
  27. Maddi Utti – Fresno State

SOPHOMORES

  1. Rhyne Howard – Kentucky
  2. Taylor Soule – Boston College
  3. Sonya Morris – DePaul
  4. Shakira Austin – Maryland
  5. Olivia Nelson – Ododa – UConn
  6. Jessika Carter – Mississippi State
  7. Queen Egbo – Baylor
  8. Veronica Burton – Northwestern
  9. Jasmine Franklin – Missouri State
  10. Kari Niblack – West Virginia
  11. Erica Johnson – Ohio
  12. Ally Niece – Northern Kentucky
  13. Aiyana Johnson – Stephen F. Austin
  14. Ajah Wayne – Old Dominion
  15. Lexi Held – DePaul
  16. Lexi Hull – Stanford
  17. Monika Czinano – Iowa
  18. Emily Engstler – Syracuse

FRESHMEN

  1. Madison Greene – Ohio State
  2. Ashley Owusu – Maryland
  3. Aliyah Boston – South Carolina
  4. Lavender Briggs – Florida
  5. Zia Cooke – South Carolina
  6. Alissa Pili – USC
  7. Elizabeth Kitley – Virginia Tech
  8. Hanna Cavinder – Fresno State
  9. Jada Holland – Grand Canyon

Women’s College Basketball Player Rankings – Class by Class! Week 14

ruthy hebard, oregon ducks,
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

The women’s college basketball season just keeps on getting more and more intriguing as we wind down the conference season. The Pac-12 conference is by far the toughest conference to play in this season as teams beat up on one another every night yet Oregon was able to turn it on last week and win all of their games. They are looking primed and ready for what is to come during these next few weeks. There are a few names in this week’s edition of the rankings that have not yet made it until this week such as Notre Dame’s Destinee Walker. Notre Dame has struggled mightily this season but were undefeated last week.

Listed below are the top 36 seniors, the top 27 juniors, the top 18 sophomores and the top 9 freshmen for the week of February 3rd to February 9th. Have questions or this is your first time viewing the rankings, please read the FAQ page first. Click here to view last week’s rankings list.

SENIORS

  1. Sabrina Ionescu – Oregon
  2. Ruthy Hebard – Oregon
  3. Kiah Gillespie – Florida State
  4. Kaila Charles – Maryland
  5. Mikiah Herbert Harrigan – South Carolina
  6. Chante Stonewall – DePaul
  7. Mikayla Pivec – Oregon State
  8. Alexis Tolefree – Arkansas
  9. Kathleen Doyle – Iowa
  10. Haley Gorecki – Duke
  11. Bella Alarie – Princeton
  12. Jaylyn Agnew – Creighton
  13. Crystal Dangerfield – UConn
  14. Kelly Campbell – DePaul
  15. Nicki Ekhomu – Florida State
  16. Ciara Duffy – South Dakota
  17. Becca Hittner – Drake
  18. Sug Sutton – Texas
  19. Destinee Walker – Notre Dame
  20. Emma Guy – Boston College
  21. Kristen Spolyar – Butler
  22. Francesca Pan – Georgia Tech
  23. Erica Ogwumike – Rice
  24. Aislinn Konig – NC State
  25. Nasrin Ulel – FGCU
  26. Kamiah Smalls – James Madison
  27. Kaela Hilaire – Stony Brook
  28. Jayla Scaife – Dayton
  29. Tagyn Larson – South Dakota State
  30. Alana Gilmer – Marist
  31. Ellie Mack – Bucknell
  32. Nadine Soliman – UNC Greensboro
  33. Oliana Squires – Montana
  34. Mariah Leonard – Drexel
  35. Hayley Barber – Campbell
  36. Julissa Tago – Hawaii

JUNIORS

  1. Michaela Onyenwere – UCLA
  2. Kiara Lewis – Syracuse
  3. Aari McDonald – Arizona
  4. Satou Sabally – Oregon
  5. Destiny Slocum – Oregon State
  6. N’dea Jones – Texas A&M
  7. Megan Walker – UConn
  8. Brice Calip – Missouri State
  9. Kristin Scott – Iowa State
  10. Lauren Heard – TCU
  11. Ana Llanusa – Oklahoma
  12. Selena Lott – Marquette
  13. Erin Boley – Oregon
  14. Macee Williams – IUPUI
  15. Nancy Mulkey – Rice
  16. Micaela Kelly – Central Michigan
  17. Chelsea Perry – UT Martin
  18. Illmar’I Thomas – Cincinnati
  19. Victoria Morris – Old Dominion
  20. Amaya Scott – Bethune – Cookman
  21. Aly Gamez – Fresno State
  22. Irekpitan Ozzy – Momodu – Robert Morris
  23. Ameshya Williams – Jackson State
  24. Alexus Dye – Troy
  25. Alyssa Mayfield – Stephen F. Austin
  26. Jordyn Edwards – San Diego
  27. India Pagan – Stony Brook

SOPHOMORES

  1. Elissa Cunane – NC State
  2. Monika Czinano – Iowa
  3. Jessika Carter – Mississippi State
  4. NaLyssa Smith – Baylor
  5. Grace Berger – Indiana
  6. Naz Hillmon – Michigan
  7. Cate Reese – Arizona
  8. Sydni Harvey – South Florida
  9. Erica Johnson – Ohio
  10. Sam Simons – Saint Mary
  11. Taylor Mikesell – Maryland
  12. Lexi Held – DePaul
  13. Ashley Joens – Iowa State
  14. Lexie Hull – Stanford
  15. Dorka Juhasz – Ohio State
  16. Dara Mabrey – Virginia Tech
  17. Maeva Djaldi – Tabdi – Syracuse
  18. Queen Egbo – Baylor

FRESHMEN

  1. Ashley Owusu – Maryland
  2. Rickea Jackson – Mississippi State
  3. Aliyah Boston – South Carolina
  4. Brynna Maxwell – Utah
  5. Kierstan Bell – Ohio State
  6. Jasmine Powell – Minnesota
  7. Madison Siegrist – Villanova
  8. Zia Cooke – South Carolina
  9. Ashten Prechtel – Stanford

Canada ends their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with win over Japan

miah-marie langlois
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

The Canadian Senior Women’s Team ended their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 3-0 as they narrowly defeated a fierce opponent in Japan. Japan, who has already qualified for the Olympics due to being the host nation did not make this game easy for the Canadians.

They tested the Canadians and the two sides continued to battle back and forth all game. Team Canada was led in scoring by Kia Nurse who had 19 points and Natalie Achonwa had another strong game in scoring with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Achonwa was named to the All Star 5 after the game. Belgian star and Washington Mystics player Emma Meeseman was named the tournament MVP.

It was a hard fought victory for Team Canada and in previous years, that would have been a loss. Yet, Canada’s resolve to finish undefeated stayed strong and they were able to weather the storm when Japan had a chance to win the game on a three pointer (although it would not count if it did go in). Canada had to earn this victory and they should feel good about themselves because even with nothing on the line, they still managed to win the game.

Japan, should also be credited as they are getting ready to host the Olympic Games. That is a tough squad and with more practice, they should be a dark horse favourite for a possible Olympic medal. The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team will now disperse and go back to their respective overseas teams/colleges/back to Canada.

Canadians should get behind this team as this is possibly the best team Canada has ever assembled with a mix of youth, veterans and defense. They should watch the games and cheer them on when the Tokyo 2020 Olympics begin.

Canada punches ticket to the 2020 Summer Olympic Games with win over Sweden.

team canada
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

The Canadian Senior Women’s Basketball Team have punched their ticket to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. This is the third straight Olympic Games that the Canadian Senior Women’s National Team has qualified for. This is the first Olympic Games that the Canadian team can seriously be in medal contention. This is also why CBC Sports decided to air the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament because they knew this Canada team was good. Very good.

As for the game itself, Canada had a sluggish start. They had 11 turnovers. It was ugly. Canada led by six at half. Then in the third quarter, Canada’s offence got going as a team and Natalie Achonwa led in scoring with 16 points. Canada cruised after that because Sweden has a tight rotation and could not keep up with the Canadians. They were faster, defended better and were able to score at ease. It is fitting that Natalie Achonwa led the way in scoring, because she has been a mainstay for the Canadians since she was a teenager. She was apart of the new wave that has led to the team we see today that has veteran experience and youth.

 

Canada survives Belgium in opening game of FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

kia nurse, team canada
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team opened Olympic qualifying in Ostend, Belgium with a win over the host Belgium. It was not easy as Belgium was powered by the crowd as well as WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meeseman and her team mates. Canada was led by Kia Nurse who had 19 points.

Canada battled Belgium but was able to maintain a lead throughout the game and were able to hold on when Belgium started making a late push towards the end of the third quarter. Canada’s defense helped key the victory and Kia Nurse’s play making ability helped separate the Canadians and eventually Canada held on to win. It was not pretty however. Belgium made it it a two point game with about 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter and had multiple opportunities to tie the game but Canada was able to hold them off and Kayla Alexander made two free throws with about 10 seconds left in the game that ultimately sealed the deal.

Canada was tested in their first game and they were able to escape with a key victory as they only need one more win to qualify for the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. They now face Sweden on Saturday, February 8th at 2:30 pm EST and that game will be live streaming on cbc.ca as the game will be on tape delay on CBC which will air that game around 1:30 am EST. For Americans, the game will be available on ESPN+ and for international viewers, livebasketball.tv is offering the games.

Canadian Senior Women National Team Olympic Qualifying Tournament Preview

nayo raincock-ekunkwe, new york liberty.
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team is set to face in the final Olympic qualifying tournament which tips off on Thursday afternoon in Ostend, Belgium. Canada will face Belgium, Sweden and Japan in this tournament.

In order to qualify for the Olympics, Canada must finish in the top 2 as Japan has already qualified for the tournament since they are the host nation.

Canada will be tested in this final Olympic qualifying tournament as Belgium, Sweden and Japan are worthy opponents.

Belgium, the host nation is ranked 9th in the world but have never qualified for the Summer Olympics before. They hope to change that led by Washington Mystics forward Emma Messeman who is apart of the reigning WNBA champions. Kim Mestdagh and Ann Wauters are also familiar names that will try to help Belgium make history. They will be a tough team to battle.

Japan, which does not need this tournament to qualify as they have already qualified due to the Olympic host nation, are ranked 10th in the world. They finished in 8th place at the 2016 Olympics. They will still be a tough team to face as they have nothing to lose and are using this tournament as a tune up for the Olympics.

Sweden, who is ranked 22nd in the world, has never qualified for the Olympics just like Belgium. They are led by New York Liberty forward/center Amanda Zahui B. Farhiya Abdi and Elin Eldebrink are familiar names that aim to make history.

Canada will be led by veteran forwards Kim Gaucher and Miranda Ayim and WNBA stars Kia Nurse and Natalie Achonwa. 5 players have played in the 2019 WNBA season (Achonwa, Nurse, Alexander, Carleton, Raincock-Ekunwe) and Jamie Scott has some WNBA experience. 2 players (Amihere and Pellington) are currently playing in college. Canada has tons of experience in this group and to view the final roster, please read the press release Canada Basketball put out today.

Canada faces Belgium on Thursday, February 6th at 2:35 pm EST/11:35 am PST on CBC Network and streaming online at cbc.ca. Canada faces Sweden on Saturday, February 8th at 2:35 pm EST/11:35 am PST on CBC Network and online at cbc.ca. Canada’s final game will be against Japan on Sunday, February 9th at 12:05 pm EST/9:05 am PST and that will also air on CBC Network and online at cbc.ca. To Americans, all three games are available to stream online on ESPN+.

Canada is ranked a program high of 4th place but it has bigger goals in mind as the team prepares for the upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament. It will face tough opponents in this tourney but Canada now has plenty of veteran experience, youth and grittiness within the squad that will help them obtain a top 2 finish and all of Canada will be able to witness it as it is available through CBC.

The 2020 Summer Olympics games will tip off from July 24th to August 9 in Tokyo, Japan.