The 2022-23 NCAA Women’s College Basketball schedule delivered excitement from the opening tip off of the season to the final whistle of the National Championship Game.

As you start to look back and recap the exciting season that was delivered, the game of women’s basketball is at an all-time level while the 2023 National Championship Game broke records with the number of viewers to watch.

All of this success is built around the talented players on the floor including the top women’s freshman basketball players including the 10 players landing on the Top 10 NCAAW Women’s Basketball Freshman 2023 rankings list.

Headlining the list of the top women’s freshman basketball players is the talented Florida State Seminoles guard Ta’Niya Latson. Latson ranks among the top in scoring of women’s freshman basketball players while also ranking in the top 15 of all scorers in women’s college basketball. 

Joining Latson on the list of the top women’s freshman basketball players include Tess Heal of the Santa Clara Broncos, Ny’Ceara Pryor of the Sacred Heart Pioneers, Kaylene Smikle of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and Sydney Harris of the Central Michigan Chippewas. Here is a look at the Top 10 NCAAW Women’s Basketball Freshman 2023 rankings list:

Honorable Mention

Kiki Rice

School: UCLA Bruins

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention #2

Landing just outside of the Top 10 NCAAW Women’s Basketball Freshman 2023 rankings list is the UCLA Bruins freshman guard from Bethesda, Maryland.

Rice was strong in his first season with the Bruins while showcasing her talents on both ends of the basketball floor. The Bruins star freshman finished the season averaging 11.6 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds, three assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Down the stretch Rice turned in four games with at least 13 points over the teams final five games including in two of the three NCAA Tournament Games she played in for the Bruins.

Darianna Littlepage-Buggs

School: Baylor Bears

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention #1

A second talented freshman who just missed the list of the top freshmen in the country was the Baylor Bears freshman guard Darianna Littlepage-Buggs. The Bears freshman guard was solid for most of the season while getting her feet wet at the next level of basketball.

Littlepage-Buggs finished the season averaging 10.6 points per game to go along with 9.2 rebounds and one steal per game. On the year Littlepage-Buggs posted 14 double doubles while registering at least 15 points in nine different games.

Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Freshman Rankings

10. Janiah Barker

School: Texas A&M Aggies

Previous Ranking: #10

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NCAAW Women’s Basketball Freshman 2023 rankings list is the Texas A&M Aggies freshman Janiah Barker.

The freshman forward who ranked among the top incoming freshmen while also ranking among the top freshman forward prospects put together a strong freshman season for the Aggies. 

Despite battling injuries, Barker finished off the season strong despite the Aggies losing in the SEC Tournament. Barker posted 22 points and 10 rebounds to go along with one blocked shot and one steal in the loss.

The Aggies star finished the season averaging 12.7 points per game to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

9. Grace VanSlooten

School: Oregon Ducks

Previous Ranking: #9

The future looks bright for the Oregon Ducks who have landed some talented freshmen over the past few seasons including Grace VanSlooten.

VanSlooten, who is from Toledo, Ohio entered the season as one of the top freshmen in women’s college basketball. The Ducks forward delivered on both ends of the floor while averaging one steal and nearly one blocked shot per game.

In addition, VanSlooten, the former five-star recruit is averaging 13.2 points per game to go along with 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

8. Raegan Beers

School: Oregon State Beavers

Previous Ranking: #8

The Oregon State Beavers freshman forward from Littleton, Colorado was as good as advertised after ranking among the top freshman entering college basketball for the 2022-23 NCAA Women’s Basketball season.

Beavers capped off her first season averaging 13.3 points per game to go along with 8.6 rebounds, and one assists per game.

In addition, Beavers was a strong shooter shooting 56 percent from the field on the year while also being strong on the defensive side of the glass posting 5.5 of her 8.6 rebounds on the defensive glass. Beers added 14 double doubles over the 31 games she appeared in this season.

7. Mara Braun

School: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Previous Ranking: #2

Ranking among one of the best women’s freshman basketball players is the Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Mara Braun. Braun, who was as strong as any freshman in the country on both ends of the floor, was difficult to get past on the defensive end of the floor while recording 1.5 steals per game.

The Gophers guard from Wayzata, Minnesota wrapped up her season averaging 15.6 points per game to go along with 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from behind the three-point line.

6. Cotie McMahon

School: Ohio State Buckeyes

Previous Ranking: #4

Entering her freshman season with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cotie McMahon ranked as the 23rd overall recruit among all women’s college basketball.

McMahon, who is from Centerville, Ohio did not disappoint in her first season after electing to stay at home with the Buckeyes.

Over the course of 36 games played, McMahon averaged 15.1 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. During the Buckeyes’ run to the Sweet 16 during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Championship Tournament, McMahon posted at least 14 points in each of the teams four wins while posting at least five rebounds.

5. Sydney Harris

School: Central Michigan Chippewas

Previous Ranking: #3

Rounding out the Top 10 NCAAW Women’s Basketball Freshman 2023 rankings list is the Central Michigan Chippewas.

Harris, who was not as well known as some of the other freshmen entering the 2022-23 NCAA Women’s Basketball schedule made a name for herself after a strong start and finish to her first season on the basketball court.

Harris, who is a key member of the Chippewas team averaged 35.3 minutes per game in her freshman season while posting 17.4 points per game. In addition, Harris averaged 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and one steal per game while shooting 38.7 percent from the field.

4. Kaylene Smikle

School: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Previous Ranking: #6

With the season wrapped up it is easy to say that Kaylene Smikle ranked among the best college basketball freshmen while showcasing her abilities to continue to improve.

Smikle, who is from Westtown, Pennsylvania capped off her freshman season averaging 17.9 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Down the stretch Smikle’s play picked up including posting 22 and 26 points in the Knights two games during the Big Ten Tournament.

3. Tess Heal

School: Santa Clara Broncos

Previous Ranking: #7

A name that might not be recognized among the women’s college basketball landscape is Tess Heal of the Santa Clara Broncos.

Heal entered her freshman season looking to prove her talent as well as showcase to the rest of college basketball how great of a basketball player she is.

In the end the Broncos guard was able to accomplish this feat finishing the season averaging 17.6 points per game to go along with 4.3 rebounds and four assists per game. Heal was an all-around great player who could see the floor and attack the glass for the Broncos all season.

2. Ny-Ceara Pryor

School: Sacred Heart Pioneers

Previous Ranking: #5

Just landing behind Ta’Niya Latson among the best women’s college basketball freshmen is the Sacred Heart Pioneers guard Ny’Ceara Pryor.

Pryor was as talented as any guard in the country and as good as any freshman was a pure scorer who had the ability to score at will.

On the defensive end of the floor Pryor was strong while slowing down her opponents and forcing turnover while averaging 3.7 steals per game.

To go along with her defense Pryor finished the season averaging 17.8 points per game to go along with 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. 

1. Ta’Niya Latson

School: Florida State Seminoles

Previous Ranking: #1

In at number one on the Top 10 NCAAW Women’s Basketball Freshman 2023 rankings list is the Florida State Seminoles guard Ta’Niya Latson.

Latson, who ranked among the best incoming freshman class in all of women’s college basketball, didn’t disappoint for the Seminoles all season long. Latson posted 18 20-point games over the course of the season while helping the Seminoles land within the NCAA tournament.

Unfortunately, after finishing the season averaging 21.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds, Latson missed both the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament due to an injury.

Look for Latson to continue her success as a sophomore next season while ranking among the best women’s college basketball players.

How would you rank these women’s college basketball freshmen for the 2022-2023 season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings

 

Related Links:

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