Hoopla 40: 2024-25 End-Of-Season Rankings
The 40 best players in the Big Ten last season, according to uhhh me I guess!
Last Week’s Hoopla:
Looking Back and Looking Forward
As a reminder, next week will be my end-of-season Hoopla 40, a final look at who I believe were the best players in the Big Ten from last season. After that, I plan on taking a break until the end of May before looking at whatever the transfer portal fallout is at that time.
Let’s close out the 2024-25 season with a bang!
This is my triannual list of the Top 40 players in the Big Ten. I do this at the beginning, middle and end of each season, with each list meaning something a little bit different. This is the End-of-Season ranking, which is strictly focused on how each player performed last year, with no thought yet of projecting the future.
Midseason Ranking:
A few things of note before the list:
This Hoopla 40 shows player movement from the midseason list. That is indicated by the italicized number next to the ranking, and “NEW” is shown for players that were not in the preseason rankings.
Only players who have played at least 15 games were considered for this ranking.
This list includes players that graduated, went to the WNBA Draft or that have transferred out. None of that matters here since this is based on what happened in the season, and players will be listed by the team they played with in 24-25 regardless.
OK, here it is, and as always, this was not easy!
This is my End-of-Season Hoopla 40, with comments on each player listed below:
Just missed the cut: Timea Gardiner (UCLA); Theryn Hallock (Michigan State); Mila Holloway (Michigan); Avery Howell (USC); Bri McDaniel (Maryland)
1.) JuJu Watkins, USC — 23.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.4 APG
Status: Returning
While it ended in heartbreaking fashion, JuJu Watkins still showed the country what all the hype was about this season. She is a monstrous force all over the floor, at all levels of offense and defense. Here’s hoping we see her fully healthy at some point next year.
2.) Lauren Betts, UCLA — 20.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.7 APG
Status: Returning
Betts averaged 23.6 PPG and 3.0 BPG on 71.6 percent shooting during UCLA’s Final Four run, cementing herself as perhaps the most dominant interior forces in the nation. She will be a National Player of the Year frontrunner to begin next season, and it will be fully deserved.
3.) Kiki Iriafen, USC — 18.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.8 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
While I was a little let down by Iriafen’s final two games in a USC uniform, that doesn’t take away from yet another excellent season by the now-Washington Mystic. Iriafen is a tremendous rebounder, defender and inside scorer, and I think she has the tools to keep expanding her game past that.
4.) Lucy Olsen, Iowa — 17.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 5.1 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
The No. 4 spot was extremely tough for me to choose, but I ended up going with Olsen for how much she impressed me late in Iowa’s season. She averaged 17.5 PPG and 4.7 APG while shooting 39.8 percent from deep in Big Ten play, and fully deserved that second-round selection for it.
5.) Kiki Rice, UCLA — 12.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.0 APG
Status: Returning
Rice continues to develop well at UCLA, and her rock solid demeanor and playmaking are significant in the Bruins being as dominant as they have been. Her 50% three-point shooting and 32:9 assist-to-turnover ratio this NCAA Tournament have me locked in for where she goes talent wise next season.
6.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — 14.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.1 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Even while battling injuries all season, Sellers managed to be the all-encompassing guard that Maryland needed her to be, and the reward was another Sweet 16 appearance. She’s got such great fundamentals, plays excellent defense and hit over 40 percent of her threes this season. She will be missed in the Big Ten.
7.) Kendall Bostic, Illinois — 15.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 1.9 APG
Status: Graduated
Speaking of players that will be missed! Bostic made an early-career transfer to Illinois and never looked back on the way to a fantastic career. She was one of the best rebounders and interior scorers in the conference season after season, and it was great to see Bostic end her tenure with a NCAA Tournament victory.
8.) Serah Williams, Wisconsin — 19.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
Status: Transfer Portal
It does not appear that Williams will be back in the Big Ten next season, but it was one hell of a run with the Badgers all the same. Without significant help, Williams continued to carry the load on the way to some truly impressive numbers against steep competition. I expect her to thrive immediately wherever she lands.
9.) Elle Ladine, Washington — 17.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG
Status: Returning
The Human Torch personified to end the season. Ladine’s scoring numbers in Big Ten play are outrageous: 19.2 PPG on 50.5/42.4/89.2 rates. Washington was a real fun team to watch, a lot thanks to Ladine’s shotmaking. I can only hope we see more of that next season.
10.) Olivia Olson, Michigan — 16.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.1 APG
Status: Returning
This freshman class is going to be one we keep talking about for years and years and years, but I left 2024-25 believing that Olson had the best season of them all. Her scoring efficiency is remarkable for a first-year player, and she was also extremely valuable as a rebounder and defender on top of that. This Michigan team is going to rule, and if Olson manages to take a further leap, whew.
11.) Kaylene Smikle, Maryland — 17.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.7 APG
Status: Returning
Iriafen and Olsen were the transfers that perhaps had the most flash, but the impact of Kaylene Smikle’s arrival in College Park was monumental for both her and the Terps. She’s a phenomenal two-way player that fit with this team brilliantly from the jump.
12.) Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State — 15.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.9 APG
Status: Returning
Cambridge showed so many flashes this year of the superstar player I believe she is likely to become very, very soon. She was the driver of Ohio State’s attack constantly, and was an equal menace defensively. I suspect this will be the lowest I ever place Cambridge on this list moving forward.
13.) Julia Ayrault, Michigan State — 14.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.1 APG
Status: WNBA Signing
Ayrault has been a do-it-all weapon for the Spartans under Robyn Fralick, and while her shooting took a dip this season, her skillset was still extremely valuable in everything Michigan State wanted to do. I think she could be a great player to add to a WNBA bench, as she can guard just about any position.
14.) Yarden Garzon, Indiana — 14.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.2 APG
Status: Transfer to Maryland
There are few shooters in the country with the level of precision that Garzon proved over three seasons at Indiana, but it’s the way she grew her game further this year that stood out to me. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, but fortunately for me, that talent is now going across the conference to the Terps.
15.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — 16.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
Status: Graduated
What a collegiate career for Alexis Markowski. An immediate impact player as a freshman who became the team’s star when they needed it most to get back to the NCAA Tournament this year. Her three-point explosion at the end of this season was also electric. She’s leaving the Cornhuskers in a better place than they were before her.
16.) Syla Swords, Michigan — 16.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.5 APG
Status: Returning
Swords came onto the scene with an immediate jaw-dropper, and followed through with a truly excellent freshman campaign. Alongside Olson and Holloway, the Wolverines are must-watch TV next year.
17.) Sayvia Sellers, Washington — 15.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.9 APG
Status: Returning
Another pivotal piece of the Washington attack, Sellers slowed down while Ladine ignited, but was still plenty impactful all season long.
18.) Cotie McMahon, Ohio State — 16.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 APG
Status: Transfer to Ole Miss
McMahon’s highs were among the best I saw in the Big Ten, but they also did not come as consistently as I hoped. Maybe Ole Miss can break that out of her, but as it stands, she was an enormously impactful player both ways when at her best.
19.) Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State — 15.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 APG
Status: Returning
VanSlooten’s minutes decreased by about nine per game from last season, and her scoring went up thanks to a 12.5% spike to her field goal percentage. She might be one to watch for in Year 2 at Michigan State for a real superstar turn.
20.) Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA — 9.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.2 APG
Status: Returning
Jaquez’s numbers don’t fly off the page, but she is one of the best role players in college basketball. The rangy wingspan makes her an extremely valuable defensive piece, and she also continues to improve as a scorer and secondary passer.
21.) Taylor Thierry, Ohio State — 10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.2 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Similarly to Jaquez, Thierry is about as good as it gets when it comes to low-volume pieces. She can defend anyone, shot over 46 percent from deep and had 2.3 steals per contest. Atlanta Dream, please cherish her.
22.) Grace Grocholski, Minnesota — 13.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.0 APG
Status: Returning
Starting to think Grace Grocholski is among the most underrated players in the Big Ten. She finished this season sixth in the Big Ten in win shares and continues to improve her efficiency. Minnesota could be a sleeping giant next season, a lot in thanks to her rise.
23.) Destiny Adams, Rutgers — 17.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.1 APG
Status: Graduated
The team around Adams never got where it needed to, but her consistent impact as an interior scorer was something to behold. She’s one of the best rebounding non-bigs I have ever seen.
24.) Genesis Bryant, Illinois — 14.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.9 APG
Status: Graduated
Bryant stepped up in a big way with Makira Cook going down for the season, even with a drop in efficiency. She is one of those core members of Illini basketball that changed this program for the better.
25.) Rayah Marshall, USC — 7.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Marshall is a defensive monster in the paint, and she showed some real scoring chops with a 23-point burst against UConn in the Elite Eight. She may never be a star at the next level, but her skillset should absolutely do well in the WNBA.
26.) Britt Prince, Nebraska — 13.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.8 APG
Status: Returning
Prince showed plenty of reasons for Nebraska to be excited in Year One. She has unshakable confidence and excellent playmaking ability already, both skills that make her feel like their point guard to build around the next three seasons.
27.) Hannah Stuelke, Iowa — 12.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.2 APG
Status: Returning
It wasn’t quite the star turn I thought it could be for Stuelke this season, but she continued to be an extremely valuable, reliable option for the Hawkeyes to turn to down low.
28.) Tori McKinney, Minnesota — 10.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.5 APG
Status: Returning
She falls spots on this list after her unbelievable non-conference run, but Tori McKinney is a name to remember moving forward. She has all the skills of a future star, and showed that she can get it done in critical situations with a masterpiece in the WBIT championship game.
29.) Adalia McKenzie, Illinois — 13.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG
Status: Graduated
Perhaps the most unsung hero of Illinois’ recent run of success, McKenzie was always a reliable scoring piece who was great at getting inside and getting to the line. She was also a four-year Illinois player, the last main commit from the pre-Shauna Green era who stayed to see the success.
30.) Dalayah Daniels, Washington — 12.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.0 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Daniels was magnificent during Big Ten play with 14.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 3.8 stocks per game. She was a wonderful surprise call on draft day, but I absolutely see why she was drafted after the second half of the season she had.
31.) Gracie Merkle, Penn State — 15.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.2 APG
Status: Transfer to Maryland
The offensive ability is clear with Merkle, who shot 67 percent from the floor and scored more than 15 PPG in less than 24 MPG. The move to Maryland should only open up that skillset further.
32.) Jordan Hobbs, Michigan — 13.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Hobbs was a crucial veteran presence on the Wolverine team of youth, and she came through when the team needed her most with 28 points against Iowa State in the Round of 64. She could certainly make it on as a reserve player for the Seattle Storm at the next level.
33.) Amaya Battle, Minnesota — 12.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.3 APG
Status: Returning
Battle has continued to battle (hehehe) with efficiency, but she continues moving in the right direction every season and has proven to be a very reliable point guard for this budding Gophers squad. Every year she’s gotten better, and if she does again, she will compete for a All-Big Ten spot.
34.) Deja Kelly, Oregon — 12.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG
Status: WNBA Signing
It wasn’t a high-volume year for Kelly, but she played her role extremely well for the Ducks, and got them to fight like hell in a NCAA Tournament run that certainly impressed me. I think it was an important year for her to prove she can take on whatever role a team needs in the W.
35.) Kennedy Smith, USC — 9.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.0 APG
Status: Returning
Oh I know Big Ten teams are going to hate to see Kennedy Smith coming man. Her scoring was solid and will get better, but that defense is already something to truly behold. She’s going to be must-watch next year, especially if Watkins is forced to miss time and Smith’s role expands.
36.) Kiyomi McMiller, Rutgers — 18.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG
Status: Transfer to Penn State
The numbers are undeniable, and so is McMiller’s ability as a natural scorer. That said, she wasn’t always playing effective basketball and her win shares showed that. McMiller will stay in conference after all, and I will be fascinated to see what that looks like at Penn State.
37.) Angela Dugalič, UCLA — 7.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.4 APG
Status: Returning
Dugalič improved her scoring in a big way after a tough transition season last year after transferring. More importantly for UCLA though, she held a top 30 defensive rating and finished among the best players nationally in defensive win shares. Her return for a sixth season is massive for the Bruins’ title hopes.
38.) Sarah Te-Biasu, Maryland — 10.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 2.6 APG
Status: Graduated
I am so moved by what I saw from Sarah Te-Biasu down the stretch of the season. In the big win over Ohio State, in the even larger NCAA Tournament win over Alabama, it was always the 5-5 demon that came through. That clutch shotmaking was special, and it was a jolt that Maryland really needed to get back to the second weekend.
39.) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Indiana — 9.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.5 APG
Status: Graduated
Moore-McNeil hovered around 10 PPG for three seasons, but it was her impact as a passer and defender that made her impact so crucial every time. She is a very important piece to the Hoosiers’ rise, and will be sorely missed on both sides of the ball.
40.) Sydney Affolter, Iowa — 8.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.7 APG
Status: Graduated
Affolter was many of the same things for Iowa that Moore-McNeil was for Indiana. Not a major scorer, but always came up big in the right moments and was a truly phenomenal rebounder. It felt like you can always count on Affolter rising to the occasion despite of the numbers, and her fingerprints are clear on those title runs.
NOTE: Hoopla is taking its offseason! I will be back likely on June 2nd to start talking transfer portal and 2025-26. <3
If you are interested in more Big Ten women’s basketball content like this, you can subscribe with the button at the top or bottom of the post, or share it with the button below. Thanks!