Hoopla 40: 2022-23 End Of Season Rankings
My picks for the 40 best Big Ten women's basketball players based on this past season
Before I start the Hoopla 40: Watch the WNBA Draft tonight at 7 p.m. There should be a lot of Big Ten representation and I will be talking about some of that Thursday. This is also the last Monday post until May 8, pending an emergency Hoopla if, say, Hailey Van Lith transfers to a Big Ten team. Who knows!
The 2022-23 season has come and gone, and along the way the Big Ten has proven to have a whole lot of very good basketball players.
Here is where I do my best to try and rank them. This is the third installment of the Hoopla 40: with the first coming in the preseason, and the second coming at the start of 2023.
Some quick ground rules before I start the list:
This is based on a variety of things, but above all, it is on what I believe. I’ve looked at a whole lot of numbers and seen a whole lot of games, but this is very much my list. I’m sure there will be some omissions and bad rankings, and I would love to hear all disagreements in the comments. <3
This list is strictly based on how these players looked in the season we just watched. This is not trying to predict how players will look in 2023-24 and beyond, but an assessment of where they are at in this moment.
With No. 2 in mind, all players that played at least 15 games last season are in consideration. It doesn’t matter if this player is gone to the WNBA or departed in the portal, as long as they were a Big Ten player in 2022-23. That also means a player like Jacy Sheldon, who showed just how good she was in March, is not qualified for this list with 13 games played.
Here is my End of Season Hoopla 40, with comments on each player below. The red/green numbers in parentheses is the amount each player has moved from the last ranking back on January 2.
*Stats listed are from the 2022-23 season*
1.) Caitlin Clark, Iowa — 27.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 8.6 APG
Current Status: Returning to Iowa
There was a time not that long ago where I wasn’t sure if Clark was going to maintain this spot. After a run to the national championship, 31.8 PPG and 10.0 APG in six tournament games and winning every National Player of the Year honor, that feels like another life. Caitlin Clark shined bright in the biggest moments and is a truly transcendent basketball player. If next year is her last with Iowa (it might not be!), we must make sure to treasure it.
2.) Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana — 22.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.2 APG
Current Status: Returning to Indiana
It’s hard to know how much a lingering knee injury slowed down Holmes late in the season, but she was still plenty productive for Indiana in the loss to Miami. That early exit does not take away from the type of year Holmes had: an All-American season that won her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in the process. She is a force on both sides of the ball, and she keeps getting better every year.
3.) Diamond Miller, Maryland — 19.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.9 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
Miller’s talents will be missed. She is an outrageously talented scorer who can use her length to make difficult shots look easy. Maryland needed her to step up this season, and she did in a big way time and time again. The Terps don’t get to the Elite Eight, or even close, without her.
4.) Monika Czinano, Iowa — 17.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.4 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
Czinano wasn’t quite as dominant this year as she’s been in the past, but she also displayed more well-rounded abilities that helped Iowa get so close to the mountain top. Her performance against South Carolina proved a lot to me past her clear ability to score inside whenever she wants. Replacing everything Czinano did is priority No. 1 for the Hawkeyes this offseason.
5.) Leigha Brown, Michigan — 17.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.8 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
Leigha Brown’s contributions to Michigan this season cannot be understated. She picked up point guard duties and became one of the most well-rounded players in the country. Her scoring ability at all three levels, mixed with her impeccable playmaking, deserves far more credit than it got this year.
6.) Taylor Mikesell, Ohio State — 17.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.3 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
If Ohio State was fully healthy all season, Mikesell’s numbers could have been out of this world. Instead, Mikesell faced a whole lot of heavy coverage and still did, well that. She is one of the best shooters in the country, and her unbelievably quick release gives her a great chance to make it in the pros.
7.) Grace Berger, Indiana — 12.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.8 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
Berger returns to this list after meeting the games played threshold, so we can now celebrate what a special player she was at Indiana. Berger was an outstanding passer, scorer and defender, picked up a solid three-point shot in her final season and could always be counted on to take, and make, massive shots down the stretch. Her importance to the Hoosiers goes past the raw numbers, and she will be very hard to replace because of that.
8.) Emily Kiser, Michigan — 15.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.9 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
Two seasons ago, Kiser was averaging 2.4 points per game. By the time she was done at Michigan, she was one of the premier bigs in the conference, a true force inside that made life after Naz Hillmon sustainable. Her development was something to behold, and it should result in her getting drafted tonight.
9.) Cotie McMahon, Ohio State — 15.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.4 APG
Current Status: Returning to Ohio State
It’s an overused phrase, but Cotie McMahon has that Dawg in her. The pure lack of fear she plays with, regardless of the moment or opponent, is something unteachable, and something that makes her potential endless. She was a top 10 player in the Big Ten as a true freshman by the time the season came to a close, which makes her ceiling something that should scare the rest of the conference.
10.) Makira Cook, Illinois — 18.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.2 APG
Current Status: Returning to Illinois
Cook came with Shauna Green to Illinois from Dayton, leaping into a tougher conference, and improved her numbers as if the transition was nothing. This Illini team is a forced to be reckon with if the main core stays, and Cook is the focal point of that.
11.) Sydney Parrish, Indiana — 12.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.8 APG
Current Status: Returning to Indiana
Parrish’s return to her home state was key to Indiana being this good. Her two-way capabilities are underrated to say the least, and her role should only grow with Berger’s departure.
12.) Taylor Thierry, Ohio State — 13.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.3 APG
Current Status: Returning to Ohio State
Thierry shot 62.5 percent from the field and seemed to put up the quietest 12-18 points you’ve ever seen night in and night out. She is the foil to McMahon’s explosiveness, but was about as important with her impressive consistency.
13.) Jaz Shelley, Nebraska — 14.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.2 APG
Current Status: Returning to Nebraska
Shelley was asked to do it all for the Cornhuskers this season, and for the most part she did. Her shooting numbers fell, but she still remains a terrific passer, defender and knockdown three shooter. Her decision to return gives Nebraska a great chance to get back to the NCAA Tournament.
14.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — 13.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.9 APG
Current Status: Returning to Maryland
You can see how important Sellers is for Maryland when she is forced out of the game. Sellers is a versatile point guard who shot well in all phases, led the Terps in assists and was named to the conference’s all-defense team. With no Miller, this is Sellers’ team in 2023-24.
15.) Genesis Bryant, Illinois — 15.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.6 APG
Current Status: Returning to Illinois
Bryant (46.1/40.4/89.1) flirted with a 50-40-90 this season with her impressive efficiency, and did so while putting up some big time numbers. The NC State transfer should only get better with a second year in Green’s system.
16.) Abby Meyers, Maryland — 14.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.3 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
Meyers was absolutely hooping in the NCAA Tournament. Miller and Sellers had some slow starts, but Meyers was so good at finding just enough space to hit shots when the Terps needed it. That skill, something Meyers thrived at her whole career, will be useful at the next level.
17.) Laila Phelia, Michigan — 16.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.4 APG
Current Status: Returning to Michigan
Phelia was injured for a sizable portion of the time since these last rankings, but let’s not forget just how good she was at 100 percent as a true sophomore. The Wolverines are in need of a star next year, and I’d be more surprised than anything if Phelia didn’t take that required jump.
18.) Kaylene Smikle, Rutgers — 17.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.6 APG
Current Status: Returning to Rutgers
Smikle is the key to Rutgers rising from the ashes. Her pure scoring ability as a true freshman was unbelievable, and the efficiency continued to improve as the year progressed. Watch out for her in year two.
19.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — 11.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.1 APG
Current Status: Returning to Nebraska
Markowski didn’t quite take a leap in her sophomore season, but she’s still an extremely versatile big for the Cornhuskers who wields loads of potential.
20.) Makenna Marisa, Penn State — 17.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.2 APG
Current Status: TBD
Marisa was such a dominant player for Penn State as a junior, and she still did a lot of that in her senior season. The efficiency dipped and the Nittany Lions, as a team, failed to make a jump, but Marisa is still such an impressive talent. There’s been no announcement of a transfer or return from her that I have seen, but I hope to see her back for one more go.
21.) McKenna Warnock, Iowa — 10.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.9 APG
Current Status: Graduating
Always under appreciated, Warnock’s shooting prowess, impressive rebounding and solid defensive ability gave Iowa an excellent No. 3 option for Clark and Czinano to work through over and over again.
22.) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Indiana — 9.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.8 APG
Current Status: Returning to Indiana
The Hoosiers needed Moore-McNeil to become an all-encompassing player this year, and she did exactly that. Her versatility is so impressive, and she could take a big leap in usage with Berger’s departure.
23.) Kendall Bostic, Illinois — 10.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.0 APG
Current Status: Returning to Illinois
Bostic’s rebounding ability has been clear, but her improvement as a scorer and defender this year was massive for the Illini. Just another player who found a new gear under Green this season.
24.) Adalia McKenzie, Illinois — 13.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.2 APG
Current Status: Returning to Illinois
Speaking of! McKenzie, like Bostic, stuck through the coaching change and recent history at Illinois, and reaped the benefits in a big way. This Illinois core is frightening, man.
25.) Yarden Garzon, Indiana — 11.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.0 APG
Current Status: Returning to Indiana
We knew Garzon was a true freshman with a terrific shot, excellent size and great all-around potential. Then she hit two gigantic threes in the final minute against Miami, one of which was a step back to tie it with under 10 seconds to go. That showed me what could be brewing from Garzon: A true bona fide superstar.
26.) Jeanae Terry, Purdue — 6.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 6.3 APG
Current Status: Returning to Purdue
What Terry lacks in scoring she makes up with her passing, rebounding and defending. She’s the ultimate team player, and her return next season is critical for the Boilermakers.
27.) Mara Braun, Minnesota — 15.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG
Current Status: Returning to Minnesota
Braun’s potential is so clear, and some of the shots she makes are the marks of someone ready to lead a team to big things. Even with these incredible first-year numbers, it feels like Braun could significantly improve on them in upcoming seasons.
28.) Kate Martin, Iowa — 7.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.6 APG
Current Status: Returning to Iowa
They call her the glue for a reason. Martin is a do-it-all guard that can hit the big shot or make the right play whenever it’s called on. Of Iowa’s role players, she felt the most prepared for the big moment during this recent tourney run.
29.) Abbey Ellis, Purdue — 11.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.5 APG
Current Status: Returning to Purdue
Ellis regained a starting spot by the end of the season, and it was to the team’s benefit. She’s too special a scorer to keep off the court for extended minutes, and will be back for the Boilermakers again in 2023-24.
30.) Lasha Petree, Purdue — 14.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.3 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
Petree’s scoring cooled off as Purdue looked to other options, but she is still a terrific volume shooter that could find her way to a WNBA team as a spark plug off the bench.
31.) Gabbie Marshall, Iowa — 6.2 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.6 APG
Current Status: Returning to Iowa
The stats don’t give the full picture to Marshall’s importance. She is a tenacious defender who found her shooting stroke in a big way down the stretch of the season. Her return to the Hawkeyes was so crucial if they want to finish the job next year.
32.) Leilani Kapinus, Penn State — 11.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.9 APG
Current Status: Returning to Penn State
Kapinus is one of the best defenders in the Big Ten and has a decent scoring touch around the rim. I’m excited to see her continue to grow as a player, but the Nittany Lions made some Big Ten Tournament noise largely because of her tenacious play.
33.) DeeDee Hagemann, Michigan State — 9.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 4.9 APG
Current Status: Returning to Michigan State
My eyes tell me Hagemann is a top 40 player more than the stats do. She has a fire that’s hard to describe, and limited her turnovers significantly in 2022-23 compared to her freshman season.
34.) Matilda Ekh, Michigan State — 11.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Current Status: Transfer Portal
Ekh remained a knockdown shooter for the Spartans in her second season with the team. Her contributions will be missed if she ultimately decides to leave the program.
35.) Isabelle Bourne, Nebraska — 12.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.2 APG
Current Status: Graduated
Bourne’s last season with the Cornhuskers was a good one, and she remained a great supplementary scorer and rebounder for Shelley and Markowski, respectively.
36.) Shay Ciezki, Penn State — 11.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.5 APG
Current Status: Returning to Penn State
In a season full of incredible freshmen, let’s not forget about Ciezki, who had great numbers while shooting 41.6 percent from deep. It’s a shame her Big Ten Tournament run was shortened by injury, because she was playing her best basketball at the right time.
37.) Kamaria McDaniel, Michigan State — 14.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.4 APG
Current Status: WNBA Draft
McDaniel found her way back to the Big Ten through the portal and put up some really strong numbers in the process. She’s another high-volume shooter from the conference looking to make an impact at the next level.
38.) Maty Wilke, Wisconsin — 11.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.2 APG
Current Status: Transfer Portal
Of Wisconsin’s pieces of young talent, I thought Wilke had the most potential, and displayed the most of it this past season as the Badgers continue their slow build. Unfortunately, it looks like Wilke will be continuing that development elsewhere.
39.) Maddie Nolan, Michigan — 9.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG
Current Status: Transfer Portal
Nolan’s shooting never quite got on track the way it was expected this season, but she was still a threat from deep every game, and a constantly underrated perimeter defender. I’m curious where she goes in the portal from here, because she will be a useful three-and-D weapon for anybody.
40.) Alanna Micheaux, Minnesota — 13.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 0.5 APG
Current Status: Transfer Portal
Micheaux’s freshman year displayed plenty to be excited about, specifically her ability as a inside scorer and rebounder. If she does indeed leave, this will be a huge loss for a Gophers team trying to build up with young talent.
Just missed the cut: Hannah Stuelke (Iowa), Sara Scalia (Indiana), Serah Williams (Wisconsin), Brinae Alexander (Maryland), Rikki Harris (Ohio State)
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