Freshmen Watch 2025-2026 Season (Breakout Performances, Freshman Conference and National POY Watch)

[CajunHusk94]

Lots of exciting incoming freshmen. Who do you expect to be major contributors? Contend for national FOY and conference POY?


SEC Players to Watch:
- Aaliyah Chavez (OU), Aaliyah Crump (Texas), Agot Makeer (South Carolina), Mia Pauldo (TN), Grace Knox (LSU), Zakiyah Johnson (LSU), Ayla McDowell (South Carolina), Deniya Prawl (TN), Kaelyn Carroll (KY), Madison Francis (Miss St)

ACC Players to Watch:
-Emilee Skinner (Duke), Hailee Swain (Stanford), Lara Somfai (Stanford), Nyla Brooks (UNC), Aliyahna Morris (Cal)

Big Ten Players to Watch:
-Jasmine Davidson (USC), Sienna Betts (UCLA), Brynn McGaughy (Washington), Addison Deal (Iowa), Destiny Jackson (Illinois)

Big 12 Players to Watch:
-Darianna Alexander (Cincinnati), Leona Sneed (Utah), Jordan Speiser (Kansas St), Jaliya Davis (Kansas), Marcayla Johnson (Baylor), Keeley Parks (Kansas),

Big East Players to Watch:
-Kellis Fisher (UCONN), Ava Zediker (Creighton), Blanca Quinonez (UCONN)

 

[Bone Dog]

I expect a lot depends on who starts or gets rotation minutes and who doesn’t. Likely starters:
Chavez
Somfai
Jazzy
McGaughy
Deal

 

[Ladeeeeda]

Lots of exciting incoming freshmen. Who do you expect to be major contributors? Contend for national FOY and conference POY?


SEC Players to Watch:
- Aaliyah Chavez (OU), Aaliyah Crump (Texas), Agot Makeer (South Carolina), Mia Pauldo (TN), Grace Knox (LSU), Zakiyah Johnson (LSU), Ayla McDowell (South Carolina), Deniya Prawl (TN), Kaelyn Carroll (KY), Madison Francis (Miss St)

ACC Players to Watch:
-Emilee Skinner (Duke), Hailee Swain (Stanford), Lara Somfai (Stanford), Nyla Brooks (UNC), Aliyahna Morris (Cal)

Big Ten Players to Watch:
-Jasmine Davidson (USC), Sienna Betts (UCLA), Brynn McGaughy (Washington), Addison Deal (Iowa), Destiny Jackson (Illinois)

Big 12 Players to Watch:
-Darianna Alexander (Cincinnati), Leona Sneed (Utah), Jordan Speiser (Kansas St), Jaliya Davis (Kansas), Marcayla Johnson (Baylor), Keeley Parks (Kansas),

Big East Players to Watch:
-Kellis Fisher (UCONN), Ava Zediker (Creighton), Blanca Quinonez (UCONN)

I'd add Ari Roberson to the list.......

 

[Ladeeeeda]

I'

I expect a lot depends on who starts or gets rotation minutes and who doesn’t. Likely starters:
Chavez
Somfai
Jazzy
McGaughy
Deal

I'll be surprised if Skinner doesn't start for Duke

 

[visitingcock]

Darianna Alexander has a lot of space to operate in both on the Cincy team and in the Big 12. She will have to fight for press coverage from the Texas sports news operations though.

 

[YoDore]

Lots of exciting incoming freshmen. Who do you expect to be major contributors? Contend for national FOY and conference POY?


SEC Players to Watch:
- Aaliyah Chavez (OU), Aaliyah Crump (Texas), Agot Makeer (South Carolina), Mia Pauldo (TN), Grace Knox (LSU), Zakiyah Johnson (LSU), Ayla McDowell (South Carolina), Deniya Prawl (TN), Kaelyn Carroll (KY), Madison Francis (Miss St)

ACC Players to Watch:
-Emilee Skinner (Duke), Hailee Swain (Stanford), Lara Somfai (Stanford), Nyla Brooks (UNC), Aliyahna Morris (Cal)

Big Ten Players to Watch:
-Jasmine Davidson (USC), Sienna Betts (UCLA), Brynn McGaughy (Washington), Addison Deal (Iowa), Destiny Jackson (Illinois)

Big 12 Players to Watch:
-Darianna Alexander (Cincinnati), Leona Sneed (Utah), Jordan Speiser (Kansas St), Jaliya Davis (Kansas), Marcayla Johnson (Baylor), Keeley Parks (Kansas),

Big East Players to Watch:
-Kellis Fisher (UCONN), Ava Zediker (Creighton), Blanca Quinonez (UCONN)

Thanks for compiling this. Of all those players, my favorite to watch is Jasmine Davidson. In terms of FOY, I think Chavez could start the race a few steps ahead, and if she scores like expected, she'll be hard to beat. I also think she is in the perfect system for her talents.

One player getting very little attention is Maddyn Greenway at Kentucky. She's got a lot of Georgia Amoore in her game, and I think she could be a major factor at point guard for Kenny Brooks.

 

[CajunHusk94]

Thanks for compiling this. Of all those players, my favorite to watch is Jasmine Davidson. In terms of FOY, I think Chavez could start the race a few steps ahead, and if she scores like expected, she'll be hard to beat. I also think she is in the perfect system for her talents.

One player getting very little attention is Maddyn Greenway at Kentucky. She's got a lot of Georgia Amoore in her game, and I think she could be a major factor at point guard for Kenny Brooks.

No problem, its always exciting to see new faces. Here is the breakdown by conference worth mentioning

 

[BigTenGuy]

. . .

One player getting very little attention is Maddyn Greenway at Kentucky. She's got a lot of Georgia Amoore in her game, and I think she could be a major factor at point guard for Kenny Brooks.

Greenway is a ‘26 recruit, or did she reclassify?

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Greenway is a ‘26 recruit, or did she reclassify?

No, you are correct, she is a '26 recruit.

 

[Baller29]

Greenway is a ‘26 recruit, or did she reclassify?

She is 2026

 

[YoDore]

Greenway is a ‘26 recruit, or did she reclassify?

Duh. You are correct. She committed so early I was thinking she'll be a freshman this season.

 

[JellyBean]

So many freshmen on so many teams. I will be curious to see how the top 10 freshmen do and how they are utilized on their teams.

 

[GamecockFam]

I can't speak for other programs but I expect Ayla McDowell to give significant contributions to the Gamecocks as Tessa's backup at the 3. I expect she'll get somewhere between 15-20 minutes a game and average 9 points, and 4 rebounds. She'll probably be the #2 guard off the bench behind Maddie McDaniel.

Agot should get some minutes too but I expect she'll be the last guard off the bench. My guess is she'll average under 10 minutes a game with 5 points and like 1 steal per game averages.

 

[Stagnant]

I think this will be a weaker freshman class than the last two. The last two of course being heralded and featuring multiple all Americans.

 

[stwainfan]

Watch Mia Pauldo.

 

[Baller29]

TN has the best recruiting class in the country

 

[jdote33]

I'

I'll be surprised if Skinner doesn't start for Duke

Very interesting. I haven't seen much of her but I'm excited to watch if she makes the u19 team this summer. Im interested to see exactly who Duke will start. I was thinking the following.
Taina Mair
Ashlon Jackson
Jadyn Donovan
Toby Fournier
Delaney Thomas.

But I think Riley Nelson, Skinner, and Roberson could all start cuz they are so talented.

 

[Steelerone]

I'll let you know how good they are in April of 2028.