ESPN's top 25 woman's basketball players for 2021 has some familiar faces

[CL82]

Paige, Christyn and Azzi

 

[Camiam88]

These rankings are bizarre in a lot of ways to me. How is it possible that both NaLyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston are higher on this list than Paige Bueckers, Haley Jones, and Caitlyn Clark? Haley Jones was the championship game MVP, Paige swept virtually every award she could win as a freshman, and Caitlyn was, well . . . Caitlyn.

And Ashley Joens and Elissa Cunane over Zia Cooke? Kierstan Bell over Azzi Fudd? I guess I don't understand the metrics that were used here, but this seems entirely arbitrary (as the Charlie Creme/Mechelle Voepel duo often seems to operate).

 

[eebmg]

Paige #3. LOL.

 

[bballnut90]

I love lists like this, but I'm not sure how Paige goes from consensus POY to the #3 player. At any rate, there is going to be a LOT of talent in women's basketball next year, especially with the list overlooking great players like Sedona Prince, Rickea Jackson, Tehina Pao Pao, Diamond Robinson, Monica Czinano, etc.

 

[From France]

The order in this list is just a joke, or ESPN showing what it really is -
I wouldn't have put Azzi NOW, but I hope she'll belong by January ...

 

[DEpup]

What a joke! So the reining POY is 3? This is pure click bait and make sure all teams are represented....Plus ESPN has to push players from conferences it has contracts with... If we are being truly honest, the UConn recent starting 5 plus Azzi and Nika should be on there when compared to some of the players on the list to make sure there is representation...

 

[Golden Husky]

I'll take Aaliyah Edwards over Cameron Brink.

 

[From France]

What a joke! So the reining POY is 3? This is pure click bait and make sure all teams are represented....Plus ESPN has to push players from conferences it has contracts with... If we are being truly honest, the UConn recent starting 5 plus Azzi and Nika should be on there when compared to some of the players on the list to make sure there is representation...

For me ONO (cause of NCAA tournament impact) & Azzi (cause no College games) don't deserve. Paige should be # 1, Christyn in the 5-10, Evina around 15, Nika in the 21-25

 

[Bball244]

Wow! Well it is espn so.... I’d put Paige at 1 (obviously), Clark 2. Surprised hailey Jones isnt a couple spots higher. Although Azzi has yet to play a college game, I would put her at least top 15. And where is Aaliyah?!!!!

 

[mustafa]

These rankings are always subjective and as the saying goes: Opinions are like (insert body part here), everybody's got one.

With that being said, Bueckers is # 1 (with a bullet), Christyn seems about right and Edwards definitely should squeeze into the top 25 (around 20 or so).

Azzi will be in the Top 25 (at season's end) but IMO, you should recognize players who have actually done it on the college floor, when compiling these lists.

 

[connboy77]

How can you not include Edwards? There isn't a post player in the country that I would pick over Edwards and that includes Boston!

 

[Veteran]

It's ESPN. I'm surprised they didn't list 24 SEC players and Paige at #25. Time to move on to more important questions like how were the moon landings faked.

 

[bluedevil]

It's ESPN. I'm surprised they didn't list 24 SEC player and Paige at #25. Time to move on to more important questions like how were the moon landings faked.

I don't think the moon landings were fake..I mean how would I have been able to buy moon rocks on that Nigerian website.?

 

[Reypl21]

Yikes, Paige should be number 1. She had huge games against both Boston and Smith, and won.

I'll take Aaliyah Edwards over Cameron Brink.

To each their own, but I'd take Brink. Her game is more diverse offensively, and she is a surprisingly good finisher despite seeming thin. Her defense is what separates the two of them. She has Stewie/Cox type of length and uses it to alter shots. Edwards can definitely develop a lot too over four years, but after 1... Brink.

I think (and hope) Olivia Miles of ND can make some noise and put herself on this list.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Any such list that does not have Paige as number 1 is a joke...

 

[triaddukefan]

Nothing like raised blood pressure on a random Thursday

 

[Kaizen]

A month ago, Paige is #1 in almost all the awards.
Nothing change since, now Creme puts Paige as #3, what is Creme's standard? And how can #1 NaLyssa Smith have a significant improvement in 1 month?

 

[bballnut90]

A month ago, Paige is #1 in almost all the awards.
Nothing change since, now Rotten Creme puts Paige as #3, what is Creme's standard? And how can #1 NaLyssa Smith have a significant improvement in 1 month?

After many posters posted angrily about his NCAA projections and content, I wouldn't be surprised if he made this list just to ruffle their feathers lol

 

[bballnut90]

What a joke! So the reining POY is 3? This is pure click bait and make sure all teams are represented....Plus ESPN has to push players from conferences it has contracts with... If we are being truly honest, the UConn recent starting 5 plus Azzi and Nika should be on there when compared to some of the players on the list to make sure there is representation...

I'm curious...which 2 players would you put Nika ahead of?

 

[HuskylnSC]

It's a click bait article. Written to be as controversial as possible without seeming extreme. Boston went down in almost every category from her freshman year except for minutes played. She does deserve to be after smith, but smith follows Paige and Caitlin. Fudd's inclusion is without merit by any standard you use. It is a typical ESPN article in that it has generic platitudes in place of genuine analysis.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I'm curious...which 2 players would you put Nika ahead of?

Fudd and Henderson come to mind quickly.

 

[Childhood]

Would UConn trade Paige for NaLyssa Smith?

 

[Kaizen]

Would UConn trade Paige for NaLyssa Smith?

would you trade gold for silver?

 

[sweetspot]

Bueckers should be #1 but arguing for Muhl in the top 25 is embarrassing. You’d take her over Te-Hina Paopao or Diamond Johnson or Veronica Burton? And that’s just point guards.

 

[Charliebball]

no reason to get upset................I'll be far more interested in this list at the end of the season...........I suspect we'll see four and possibly five UConn players on that list...........