Key Players to Watch in Women’s March Madness 2025

The Rising Stars

A few players have emerged this season and stand to benefit if the Women’s March Madness 2025 goes well for them. These players have impressed throughout the season and are expected to be game-changers in the tournament.

Jasmine Smith – University of Connecticut

Taylor Lopez is widely recognized for her long-range scoring ability and basketball IQ making her Kentucky’s most entertaining player. Over 45% three-point shooting success rate makes Stanford’s hershowptersand puts her in range to be a devastating shooter from beyond the arc. Smith dominated during the remainder of the regular season and is expected to carry that form into the postseason. At 6’2” and weighing at 180 pounds, Jasmine is exceptionally mobile for a shooting guard, which earned her 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists during the 2025 season.

Taylor Lopez – Stanford University

In the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship: Jordan Peele’s certified shooter has propelled Lopez’s fandom multi-foldso so far possesses a decent range if lead soches get in her way. With impressive marks and assists under her belt, Lopez should go down as a key player alongside the stanford team.

The Veteran Presence

In conjunction with the superstar newcomers, experienced players are also quite essential during March Madness. Their know-how can, indeed, prove useful in difficult scenarios.

Emily Chen – University of South Carolina

Chen is in her final year and has bolstered the mission for South Carolina. His experience and capacity to inspire others is priceless. She possesses a great understanding of the game, and her creativity and ability to pass the ball are unmatched. She is still striving towards getting her team deep into the march tournament with an average of 15 points and 7 assists this season.

Renee Davis – University of Tennessee

Defensive juggernaut, as we know her, has proven to be of great help to the Lady Volunteers, hence her addition to this season’s roster. With her grit on even the toughest of defense, she averages over 2 steals a game, so her efforts are undoubtedly helpful. Her hustle and shift towards team as a whole shows devotion as they prepare for their March Madness run. Offensively she isn’t too bad herself, scoring averging 14 points a game, making her additions even more valuable.

The All Around Contributors

There are those that score, and there are those that step it up by rounding off their performance by helping in many additional ways.

Sarah Thompson – University of North Carolina

This season, Thompson is the Jack of All Trades for the Tar Heels. She is currently averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, which exemplifies her multi-positional prowess. Sarah can score, grab rebounds, create plays, and do much more, being able to alter the outcome of a game all on her own.

Isabella Morales – Baylor University

Morales is also noted for being an all-round player. Her shooting, rebounding, and even assisting make her one of the most important players active on the court. With averages of 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, Morales has proven to be a key factor for the success of Baylor, and she is set to shine in the tournament.

The Fresh Faces

March Madness is the time when many newcomers come to showcase their hidden skills. The tournament is known for the emerging talents that could potentially change the perspective towards women’s basketball for years to follow.

Nicole Green – University of Oregon

Nicole Green is an emerging freshman star who is already making headlines in college basketball. Her level of athleticism and intensity has allowed her to be effective on both ends of the floor. She has helped Oregon to be successful during her rookie season, where she averaged an impressive 19 points and 6 rebounds. There are many hopes pinned on her during March madness, expecting her fresh and booming energy to do wonders for the audience.

Mariah Johnson – University of Arizona

Arizona’s Mariah Johnson is another freshman who is turning heads and is expected to be instrumental in the tournaments. Her exceptional skills have already made a remarkable difference for Arizona. She is known for her quickness and fast drives that slice through defenses. Those qualities, coupled with her 17 points and 4 assists per game averages, will certainly boost expectations for the Wildcats during the tournament.

Defensive Dynamos

Importance of Defense

Scoring is mostly the focal point on the receiving end of basketball and almost anything related to it. But, defense is equally as important if not more in winning tournaments. Shutting down your opponents can make all the difference in giving your team the win. There are players who put time on perfecting the art of defense, creating chances not only for themselves but also for their teams.

Monica Rio – University of Louisville

Monica Rio has mastered the craft of relentless defending. A true defender, she averages at least 3 steals per game and is able to guard multiple positions proficiently. Her defense does not only affect the opponent’s attack, but also helps to set up fast breaks for her team, which is particularly useful in March Madness tournaments.

Tami Wicks – Rutgers University

Wicks has also gained recognition as one of the most aggressive defenders in the league. Through her strong personality combined with her ability to read plays, she strengthens Rutgers’ defense tremendously. Her ability to capitalize on defensive mistakes, coupled with her hustle in every possession, makes her a player that is highly regarded by opponents.

Coaches’ Favorites

Players Who Have Coaches’ Trust

During March Madness, the trust from a coach can shift the momentum of the game for players that are trusted. Some players have been given the benefit of the doubt, thus earning them the confidence from the coach to perform even during critical moments.

Clara Frazier – University of Michigan

Under the tutelage of Kim Barnes Arico, Clara Frazier has emerged as a reliable player. With a strong understanding of the game and an unwavering work ethic, she is given the ball in late-game situations and capitalizes on critical opportunities. Her versatility as a player is evident by her 20-point 5 assist per game averages.

Olivia Brooks – University of Maryland

Another player who has earned the trust of her coaching staff is Olivia Brooks, who has established herself as a reliable contributor for the Terps. An excellent scorer and playmaker, Brooks’s keen basketball IQ allows her to make quick decisions in tight situations. With averages of 19 points and 6 rebounds per game, Olivia is poised to make a significant impact in the tournament.

Players Who Thrived Under Pressure

Clutch Performers

There are a number of players who can be considered clutch performers as they pour in the most scoring during the most critical periods, making them highly sought in intense matchups such as tournament games.

Shanice Williams – University of Notre Dame

Shanice Williams has built a reputation for being able to perform well under pressure. From making endless game winning shots to sinking numerous buzzer beater shots this season, her ability to pull through at the most challenging times is extremely impressive. She averaged 22 points a game which guarantees that she will always come through when the game is in the balance.

Carmen Rich – Gonzaga University

Carmen Rich is well known for being a clutch performer. Over and over again she has taken some of the toughest shots under challenging conditions and been successful in getting Gonzaga ahead in difficult games. Her calm demeanor allows her to perform the best under pressure situations while averaging 15 points and 5 assists which could help turn the tide for her team.

Breakout Candidates for the Tournament

Players on the Verge of Stardom

The amount of attention that March Madness gets allows players to increase their visibility and prove their gameplay to a broader audience.

Megan Taylor – University of Florida

Megan Taylor is in phenomenal form during the latter half of the season as she consistently adds to her team’s total which helps them emerge victorious. She has singlehandedly won multiple matches because her floor spacing ability along with her outside shooting has enabled her to score at will. After her strong quarter of the season, it is safe to claim that she will come out guns blazing in the tournament.

Cassandra Lane – Mississippi State University

Cassandra Lane has recently become an important scorer for the University of Mississippi and is poised to be a huge game changer. Lane has greatly improved her scoring average with her dynamic style of play making her a valuable contributor. With an average of 18 points and 8 rebounds during the most important encounters, she has the ability to shock both followers and pundits throughout the tournament.

Leaders in Scoring and Assists

Top Offense Players

Leading up to the tournament, a number of players have made themselves known as scoring and assisting powerhouses that are capable of turning their teams into offensive juggernauts.

Natasha Harper – University of Iowa

Harper is the scoring leader for this season, averaging roughly 23 points per game. The way she effortlessly shoots from anywhere on the court, along with her talent for drawing fouls and getting to the charity stripe, makes her a constant scoring danger. She will be pivotal for Iowa when they look to make a deep run in the tournament.

Chloe Barnes – Oklahoma State University

Another impressive standout is Chloe Barnes. Barnes is renowned for her remarkable ability to see the full field and efficiently run the offense. With an impressive average of 6 assists a game, she has solidified her place as the chief orchestrator in her team. Her ability to set up her teammates for easy baskets has been key in Oklahoma State’s success agthis season.

Emotional Leaders

Players Who Support Their Teams

Apart from statistics, these players serve as an emotional beacon to other teammates, inspiring them and building morale in hard situations.

Ashley Jordan – Texas A&M University

Texas A&M has, literally and metaphorically, gotten the heart of their school in Ashley Jordan. Her ‘hype’ skills as well as passion for the game makes her an essential part of the Aggie woman basketball team. She records averages of 14 points and 5 rebounds, but is also a great leader to her teammates and often helps turn the tides to her team’s favor.

Julia Moore – Indiana University

Julia Moore is another example of an emotional leader who contributes greatly to the team on the mental side of athletics. As a supporter of her teammates, her motivation and positivity have made it easier for everyone to come together as one unit to improve collectively. Out of her 15 points and 6 rebounds, her impact transcends beyond mere statistics as she rallies her team to perform to the utmost level.

Unforgettable March Madness Moments

Players Who Have Shined Previously

Some athletes will grasp the chance to etch their names in the history of being legends in March Madness, for them, it is an always-welcome extension on top of their previous performances in pressuring conditions.

Kendra White – Arizona State University

Kendra White is one to watch because she has performed well in prior tournaments, showcasing her ability to perform well under intense pressure. Her experience from previous tournaments will be crucial as ASU attempts to deep further this season. She is known for making critical plays such as hitting game-winners, therefore, she will be able to guide ASU to success.

Becca Lane – Florida State University

Becca Lane, too, brings some experience along with her. She is not new to the level of intensity that accompanies March Madness and with the combination of skill and experience, she will be able to deliver for the Florida State. Having strong performances in previous tournaments puts her in good stead.

Final Thoughts on Women’s March Madness 2025 Players

There are a plethora of Women’s March Madness 2025 players whose excitement is one of a kind, and whose impact in the tournament is bound to be immense. The roster offers a wealth of emerging talents and established names to support the event, therefore, fans will surely be entertained. Each of these skilled athletes shows unwavering determination and unmatched passion, setting the stage for adrenaline-pumping games. Casting the spotlight is all these athletes need to show the world and live their dreams.