Hoopla 40: 2023-24 End-Of-Season Rankings
The 40 best players in the Big Ten last season, according to me
Howdy! This is the third and final installment of the yearly Hoopla 40 rankings, where I choose who I believe are the 40 best players in the Big Ten at this point in time. I picked this ranking based on a mix of stats, deeper analytics and what my eyes say when I watch these teams.
These come out at the beginning, middle and end of each season, with each ranking meaning something a little different. While the beginning rankings focus on projection, this ranking is strictly on what we saw from the players this past year, no future outlook involved.
Last Week’s Hoopla:
Big Ten Makes Early Portal Splash
I apologize for lying to you the past few weeks, but I decided to push back the Hoopla 40 because the transfer portal has become too notable in this conference to not talk about. The Hoopla 40 will be here next week, but let’s talk portal today.
Before starting this list, a reminder that there will be no Hoopla in May. That is when I go into hibernation, and I will come back ready for offseason summer content in June.
Now, a few things of note before the list:
This Hoopla 40 shows player movement from the mid-season 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. That also means we don’t have players from the new Big Ten teams (Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington) until the preseason list in the fall.
Win shares (and all the stats I use) mentioned below are via Her Hoop Stats.
Well here it is. Here’s my final Hoopla 40 list for the 2023-24 season. Comments and stats on each player are listed below:
Just missed the cut: Shay Ciezki (Penn State); Tay Valladay (Penn State); Rebeka Mikulasikova (Ohio State); Adalia McKenzie (Illinois); Grace Grocholski (Minnesota)
1.) Caitlin Clark, Iowa — 31.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 8.9 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
One of the greatest collegiate players this sport has ever seen. Do I need to say more at this point?
2.) Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana — 19.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
*The* Indiana Hoosier. Holmes was consistently one of the best interior scorers and defenders in the nation each of the past three seasons, despite battling injuries each of those years. A special talent and special type of player that has changed that program for the better.
3.) Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State — 17.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.8 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Yet another program changer leaving the Big Ten. Sheldon has been a two-way force throughout her time with the Buckeyes, bringing a special energy that is hard to compete with. She took on the star role in a big way last year to help lead Ohio State to the regular season title.
4.) Sara Scalia, Indiana — 16.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
Status: Graduated
Scalia shook off a hit-or-miss first year with the Hoosiers to fully erupt into one of the nation’s best shooters in year two. She shot 42.7% from deep, hit nearly 90% of her free throws and stepped up massively to become Indiana’s clear No. 2 option. She is a WNBA-level talent to me without question.
5.) Julia Ayrault, Michigan State — 15.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.3 APG
Status: Returning to Michigan State
One of the best stories of last season. Ayrault, in her first year fully recovered from injury, completely exploded under Robyn Fralick, becoming a tremendous scorer, rebounder, and defender for the Spartans. Her 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals per game only tell some of the story, and Michigan State should be real good again with Ayrault returning.
6.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — 15.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.5 APG
Status: Returning to Maryland
Sellers may have not made a seismic leap as the leader of the team in 23-24, but she was excellent most of the season and played some of her best basketball late. With the talent surrounding her next year, Sellers still has time, and the potential, to make that leap.
7.) Jaz Shelley, Nebraska — 13.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.7 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Shelley showed what she’s capable of in the Big Ten Tournament, nearly leading Nebraska all the way to a title there thanks to her impeccable passing and ability to knock down the three. Those skills, plus her terrific defense, will be very difficult to replace for Nebraska, despite all the talent in that program.
8.) Serah Williams, Wisconsin — 17.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 0.9 APG
Status: Returning to Wisconsin
Williams has the talent to lift this Badger program up by herself, and we saw that last year. Year two was something truly special for this forward, and we can only hope that the ceiling is still far from being reached.
9.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — 15.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.3 APG
Status: Returning to Nebraska
What a year for Markowski, who looked more ready to take on full No. 1 option duties for Nebraska this upcoming season. She remains terrific inside, and her improved passing ability from the post late in the year was huge in the Cornhuskers making that B1G tourney run.
10.) Laila Phelia, Michigan — 16.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG
Status: Transfer to Texas
Always a gifted scorer, Phelia also knew when her team needed those points to most, as shown by the 90 combined points across her last four games, all in the Big Ten or NCAA tournaments. Now, she will get to play for a Texas team that’s a true title contender, so that should be a whole lot of fun.
11.) Kate Martin, Iowa — 13.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.3 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Kate Martin had to be more for Iowa this year if the Hawkeyes wanted to get back to the national title game, and Martin was. She was massive for Iowa time and time again when the team needed someone other than Clark to find a bucket. A knockdown shooter and shot creator, I truly think Martin has the abilities to find a role at the next level.
12.) Mara Braun, Minnesota — 17.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG
Status: Returning to Minnesota
Braun was having a first-team All-Big Ten season prior to injury without question. In the 22 games we did get, Braun showed that she’s a special talent, and she also showed the levels Minnesota can hit with Braun at the helm: The Gophers were 16-6 when Braun played and 4-10 when she didn’t.
13.) Hannah Stuelke, Iowa — 14.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.2 APG
Status: Returning to Iowa
Stuelke made the leap that Iowa required her to take. While not the prolific scorer Monika Czinano was at her heights, Stuelke was still tremendous in her role, hitting 62.7% of her shots and playing with significantly more confidence than as a freshman.
14.) Moira Joiner, Michigan State — 14.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
Status: Graduated
Joiner, like Ayrault, felt fully rejuvenated under Fralick and had the best year of her collegiate career. Her 44.2% efficiency on 5.8 three attempts per game was unstoppable, and a massive reason for Michigan State’s uptick in wins this season.
15.) Cotie McMahon, Ohio State — 14. 7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.2 APG
Status: Returning to Ohio State
McMahon had her highs this season, but did not put it all together with as much consistency as I was hoping for. Still, she remains a tenacious two-way powerhouse, who can be legitimately unguardable when it’s all clicking.
16.) Taylor Thierry, Ohio State — 11.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.5 APG
Status: Returning to Ohio State
Often in contrast to McMahon, Thierry is a quiet killer who makes an impact without the ball with her size and ability to space the floor. Her 11.3 PPG comes on 6.7 attempts per game, and I hope she increases that volume as she takes on more of a starring role next year.
17.) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Indiana — 10.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 5.0 APG
Status: Returning to Indiana
Moore-McNeil plays her role as well as about anyone in the Big Ten. Her assist-to-turnover ratio remains incredible, she hits 40.9% of her threes and consistently is tasked with defending opponents’ top options. I will underrate her no longer, she is a remarkable player.
18.) Sydney Affolter, Iowa — 8.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
Status: Returning to Iowa
In the NCAA Tournament, Affolter averaged 12.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.0 APG and 1.2 SPG while shooting 58.1% from the field and 41.7% from three. That’s why she’s here. With no Molly Davis, Affolter became a starter and not only filled in, but absolutely thrived under the pressure of the moment.
19.) Makira Cook, Illinois — 16.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 4.4 APG
Status: Returning to Illinois
Cook had a tough start to this season, but her WBIT run can make us all forget about that. Cook dominated in the postseason setting, eviscerating the field on the way to an Illinois trophy and a Most Outstanding Player honor. That is quite the momentum boost heading into next season.
20.) DeeDee Hagemann, Michigan State — 12.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 5.2 APG
Status: Transfer to Ole Miss
Hagemann’s talent will be missed in a big way in East Lansing. She was a terrific shooter, a flashy passer who avoided turnovers and, most importantly to me, a supremely enjoyable player to watch. Her energy should fit in well with Coach Yo and Ole Miss.
21.) Kendall Bostic, Illinois — 12.1 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.7 APG
Status: Returning to Illinois
Bostic has been one of the best rebounders in the Big Ten for years, and her scoring and defense continue to improve to make her, more simply, one of the best interior players in the Big Ten.
22.) Ashley Owusu, Penn State — 17.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.6 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Owusu’s 20 games at Penn State feel like quite a whirlwind. The Nittany Lions saw massive highs and lows in a relatively short span, but Owusu was largely excellent taking on a big scoring role. It was a nice return to form for her after a tough last season.
23.) Bri McDaniel, Maryland — 12.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.8 APG
Status: Returning to Maryland
What a second-year bump for McDaniel, who was an even larger spark plug for this Terrapins team in 23-24. McDaniel plays with such an infectious energy, and she remained efficient from the floor as the Terps relied on her increasingly as the season went on.
24.) Yarden Garzon, Indiana — 11.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG
Status: Returning to Indiana
Scalia took the role I expected for Garzon, but that doesn’t take away what was another year full of promise for the sophomore guard. She continues to be an elite three-point shooter who brings great size and composure to the lineup.
25.) Celeste Taylor, Ohio State — 10.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.5 APG
Status: WNBA Draft
Taylor is off to the pros after a year of fully proving herself as one of the best defensive players in the country. Her offense never fully took off with the Buckeyes, but she made such an impact on the other side of the floor that it didn’t matter all that much.
26.) Natalie Potts, Nebraska — 10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.8 APG
Status: Returning to Nebraska
By the end of the season, I felt Potts separated herself as the top freshman in the Big Ten. She’s got incredible promise, which was shown through her interior scoring and rebounding, where she averaged more than two offensive rebounds a game.
27.) Jakia Brown-Turner, Maryland — 13.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.8 APG
Status: Signed in WNBA
Brown-Turner really started showing her prowess in the second half of the season as Maryland needed her to take on a more significant role. Her, McDaniel and Sellers made for quite a trio, and she was a key cog to getting the Terps back in the NCAA Tournament.
28.) Sydney Parrish, Indiana — 10.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 APG
Status: Returning to Indiana
Parrish has played her role brilliantly in two years with the Hoosiers, but that near-comeback against South Carolina was, in my eyes, a sign of what’s to come. Parrish is a great shooter, defender and rebound at guard for Indiana, and is about to take on a larger role in the absence of Holmes and Scalia.
29.) Makenna Marisa, Penn State — 13.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.6 APG
Status: Graduated
Injuries and the addition of Owusu led Marisa’s numbers to declining from the red-hot pace she started off her final season with, but that doesn’t take away from a storied Penn State career for the five-year vet. Marisa has been a star for this team since before Hoopla started, and it was nice to see the Nittany Lions go on a nice postseason run to end her tenure.
30.) Destiny Adams, Rutgers — 15.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.8 APG
Status: Returning to Rutgers
With Kaylene Smikle out, Adams was the clear top option for a struggling Scarlet Knights team, and she played the part exceptionally well. Her 31-point, 24-rebound effort in the Big Ten Tournament was a true sight to see, and she’s a great foundational piece for Rutgers to work with as it continues to rebuild.
31.) Leilani Kapinus, Penn State — 11.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.1 APG
Status: Transfer Portal
For the third straight season, Kapinus was over 2 steals per game. This time around, though, Kapinus found a three-point shot, hitting 41% from deep. It was only on 1.7 attempts per game, but that’s a significant improvement, and it makes her a viable option for a whole lot of teams in the portal.
32.) Jordan Hobbs, Michigan — 9.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.0 APG
Status: Returning to Michigan
In classic Michigan fashion, Hobbs’ minutes doubled this season and her numbers took an even larger leap overall. Efficiency went up from all over the floor, and she played a crucial role spacing out the Wolverines attack. Michigan is going to look a lot different next year, but Hobbs’ return will be massive as a steady piece of the puzzle.
33.) Theryn Hallock, Michigan State — 11.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.6 APG
Status: Returning to Michigan State
The Big Ten’s sixth player of the year shot 52.2% from the floor and added 1.4 steals per contest. Pretty good! Hallock may or may not come off the bench in 2024-25, but either way, she will continue to be a key piece to that lethal Spartans attack.
34.) Abbey Ellis, Purdue — 14.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.2 APG
Status: Graduated
Ellis’ final season with the Boilermakers may not have ended how she would have liked, but it was her best season with the team numbers wise. She took on a more expanded role in the offense and was able to lead the charge, while also improving in rebounds, assists and steals.
35.) Genesis Bryant, Illinois — 14.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.2 APG
Status: Returning to Illinois
While Cook started to take over, Bryant remained solid in her second year with the Illini and is a huge piece of this big three of sorts under Shauna Green. Oh yeah, all three of that big three decided to come back for one more season too, so that should be fun.
36.) Amaya Battle, Minnesota — 12.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG
Status: Returning to Minnesota
Injuries forced Battle to take charge of the Gophers attack, and after some growing pains, we really got to see the best of what Battle can bring to the table. The 32-point showing against Rutgers and 29 points against Wyoming in the WNIT could be a teaser for a Battle-Braun duo that Minnesota could ride to the NCAA Tournament.
37.) Tory Ozment, Michigan State — 9.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 APG
Status: Graduated
Ozment was the second piece of Michigan State’s 1-2 punch off the bench, and her energy was always noticed. Ozment played her 22.7 minutes per game hard and with flair, and it was another key reason the Spartans were so successful, and so enjoyable to watch, in Fralick’s first season.
38.) Gabbie Marshall, Iowa — 6.1 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 1.6 APG
Status: Graduated
Marshall’s defense gets her here. Her tenacity on that side of the floor, regardless of opponent, is hard to deal with and is why Iowa gives her 30 minutes a game. She’s a game-changer, but not one that made a large dent in the box score.
39.) Lauren Hansen, Michigan — 11.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.3 APG
Status: Graduated
Hansen’s presence in Ann Arbor was big in keeping Michigan’s NCAA Tournament streak alive. She was a solid shooter from everywhere on the floor and added 1.2 steals per game going the other way.
40.) Jeanae Terry, Purdue — 5.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 5.9 APG
Status: Graduated
We end this list with a pick from the heart. Terry was unlike anybody in the Big Ten, was a defensive nuisance and an offensive force without scoring much at all thanks to her rebounding effort and playmaking prowess. I will miss watching her in this conference.
See you in June! Maybe by then I will comprehend how good USC is going to be next year, because right now it still feels silly to think about.
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You are forgiven for having Chloe Moore-McNeil underrated as she is not flashy as she does all the little, under the radar things that let her be a silent assassin.
My question for Iowa fans...did anyone do a better job of guarding CC the last two years? I'm biased, so it is easy for me to think that CMM disrupted CC the most. But I'd be very curious to hear from Iowa fans on this.