March Madness - What if players stayed home to play? What state would win?

[BRS24]

It's too bad that this article from The Athletic isn't available to share, however I found a version in the internet archive here. There are parameters outlined as to how players were placed in states and selected.

Player movement in women’s college basketball has never been as significant as it is today. But here at The Athletic, we decided to imagine a world where the opposite is true. What if the best high school players had to continue their college careers on a home-state team? Which would have the best chance in the NCAA Tournament?​

​

1. California - Gabriela Jaquez , JuJu Watkins , Kaitlyn Chen , Kiki Iriafen , Te-Hina Paopao
2. Minnesota - Paige Bueckers , Tessa Johnson , Alyssa Ustby, Ayoka Lee, Olivia Olson
3. North Carolina - Sarah Strong, Saniya Rivers, Indya Nivar, Reigan Richardson, Teonni Key
4. South Carolina - Talaysia Cooper, Joyce Edwards, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Loyal McQueen, Ashlyn Watkins
5. Florida - Ta’Niya Latson, Samara Spencer, Chloe Kitts, O’Mariah Gordon, Jaloni Cambridge
6. Ohio - Cotie McMahon, Taylor Thierry, Shyanne Sellers, Bree Hall, Maddy Westbeld
7. Texas - Rori Harmon, Taylor Jones, Ashlon Jackson, Harmoni Turner, Jewel Spear
8. New Jersey - Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, Zoe Brooks, Kiyomi McMiller, Mikayla Blakes
9. New York - Sonia Citron, Kayleigh Heckel, Kaylene Smikle, Clara Strack, Serah Williams
10. Georgia - Zee Spearman, Raven Johnson, Flau’jae Johnson, Makayla Timpson, Kara Dunn

 

[Centerstream]

Minnesota of course...Paige is on the team

 

[southie]

New Jersey

 

[Vowelguy]

Other notable players:

• Betts & Beers - Colorado
• Morrow - Illinois
• Booker - Mississippi
• Crooks - Iowa
• M Williams - Louisiana
• A James, Azzi, & Quinnerly - Virginia
• Rice - Maryland

 

[nwhoopfan]

1. California - Gabriela Jaquez , JuJu Watkins , Kaitlyn Chen , Kiki Iriafen , Te-Hina Paopao

That can't be the 5 best players from California.



Also somehow you gotta find a way to get Gianna Kneepkens in the Minnesota group.

 

[PhilipVU94]

Back when they would run Australian rules football at 1am on ESPN, I first learned about their "State of Origin" matches. I've always thought that would be a really interesting concept to see in our country, even though theoretically California should win a large % of the time.

 

[GamecockFam]

I would start Sania Feagin over Zee Spearman on the Georgia squad.

 

[Nash83]

TN:
Imari Berry
Aalyah Del Rosario
Angelica Velez
Jaloni Cambridge *played senior year in different state
Kaiya Wynn *played senior year in different state

 

[BRS24]

That can't be the 5 best players from California.



Also somehow you gotta find a way to get Gianna Kneepkens in the Minnesota group.

If you look at the writers' rules and scenarios, it explains how they picked the teams. I said meh to a few.

 

[Kaizen]

Why there are 8 players from South Carolina in the list and only 2 from UConn?

 

[cancontent]

Would be interesting if this was expanded to include international players. I'd be interested to see who would be listed for Canada, Australia, France, Spain and Sweden for example.

 

[YoDore]

Would be interesting if this was expanded to include international players. I'd be interested to see who would be listed for Canada, Australia, France, Spain and Sweden for example.

You're the perfect person to give us a Canadian list. I suspect it would be a loaded team.

As @Nash83 mentioned above, Jaloni Cambridge is a Nashville girl who grew up and attended high school in walking distance of Vanderbilt. She transferred to Montverde Academy for her senior season. Still, if that would mean The Athletic would have her playing at Tennessee instead of Vandy, I'm glad they shipped her off to Florida instead.

I have to go with the Minnesota squad. Pretty good balance there by position.

(After checking their rules, I found that The Athletic classified players by the state where they graduated high school. It's unreasonable for them to think I would read the rules before commenting on the rules. That's not how the internet works)

 

[cancontent]

You're the perfect person to give us a Canadian list. I suspect it would be a loaded team.

As @Nash83 mentioned above, Jaloni Cambridge is a Nashville girl who grew up and attended high school in walking distance of Vanderbilt. She transferred to Montverde Academy for her senior season. Still, if that would mean The Athletic would have her playing at Tennessee instead of Vandy, I'm glad they shipped her off to Florida instead.

I have to go with the Minnesota squad. Pretty good balance there by position.

(After checking their rules, I found that The Athletic classified players by the state where they graduated high school. It's unreasonable for them to think I would read the rules before commenting on the rules. That's not how the internet works)

I'll definitely give a shot and post my thoughts later. As to whether it would be loaded, not sure. Talented and competitive, most definitely depending on which way I go with it.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I would start Sania Feagin over Zee Spearman on the Georgia squad.

Same

I'd go South Carolina, Georgia (with Sania Feagin), or Minnesota.

 

[BRS24]

Why there are 8 players from South Carolina in the list and only 2 from UConn?

The list is based on players' home states, ie, where they graduated from high school

 

[cancontent]

The list is based on players' home states, ie, where they graduated from high school

Then there needs to be an asterisk with Serah Williams. Born in New York but graduated via a Canadian high school.

 

[cancontent]

You're the perfect person to give us a Canadian list. I suspect it would be a loaded team.

As @Nash83 mentioned above, Jaloni Cambridge is a Nashville girl who grew up and attended high school in walking distance of Vanderbilt. She transferred to Montverde Academy for her senior season. Still, if that would mean The Athletic would have her playing at Tennessee instead of Vandy, I'm glad they shipped her off to Florida instead.

I have to go with the Minnesota squad. Pretty good balance there by position.

(After checking their rules, I found that The Athletic classified players by the state where they graduated high school. It's unreasonable for them to think I would read the rules before commenting on the rules. That's not how the internet works)

Okay here's a first attempt at this. Two lists to contrast who is available now vs next season.

2024-2025 Roster (includes graduating seniors)
Yvonne Ejim
Toby Fournier
Syla Swords
Delaney Gibbs
Phili Kyei
Cassandre Prosper
*Avery Howell (Alternate - American born, but has a Canadian mother and competes for Canada)

2025-2026 Roster
Toby Fournier
Syla Swords
Skylar Forbes
Delaney Gibbs
Cassandre Prosper
*Avery Howell (for the reasons listed above)

The 2025-2026 list is skinny on forwards and posts/forwards due to the graduation of Ejim and Kyei. Isaline Alexander of Michigan State has been out for two seasons but has been seen as having potential as she's been part of the Canada Basketball development stream. Too soon to list Makeer as she'll be a freshman.