Between a star-studded freshman class and the mayhem of the transfer portal, there is plenty to be excited about in women’s college basketball this season. But in addition to 5-star freshmen and already-established veterans, there’s another group of players trying to prove themselves.
Whether they missed time for injuries or transferred to find a better fit, here are eight players who could have breakout seasons in 2025-26.
Jada Williams, 5-foot-8 junior guard, Iowa State
Williams came to Arizona in 2023 with a lot of hype. A McDonald’s All-American and social media darling, Williams was featured in countless YouTube compilations and Instagram reels, and she had the skills to back it up. She had two decent individual seasons at Arizona, but the Wildcats struggled, especially last season, as coach Adia Barnes was on her way out. No one on the team found their groove, Williams included. But after transferring to Iowa State, we could finally see her potential realized. Williams is a creative scorer and passer who should find plenty of openings playing alongside Audi Crooks and Addy Brown. At Arizona, Williams often tried to do too much and her shooting numbers suffered; at Iowa State, she can get back to her point-guard roots and let the game come to her.
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Vanderbilt
During her three seasons at Texas, Mwenentanda was perhaps the most elite role player in the country. The all-around wing brought energy, length and athleticism every time she stepped on the court, averaging 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game last season. Mwenentanda is more than capable of contributing at a higher level, and the opportunity will be there at Vanderbilt. With Khamil Pierre moving on to NC State, Vandy’s leading returning scorer, Mikayla Blakes, will need more options around her in order for the Commodores to have a complete attack. Mwenentanda can slice to the hoop, using her length to finish over defenders, or sneak into open spaces and field passes from Blakes. Texas coach Vic Schaefer once called her “the most confident kid in the locker room.” And with just one year of eligibility left, she will want to put that to good use.
Chit-Chat Wright, 5-foot-4 sophomore guard, Iowa
Landing the former Georgia Tech guard in the transfer portal was a huge get for Iowa. Wright brings an athleticism and speed that the Hawkeyes haven’t had at the guard spot, and she should elevate Iowa’s offense. Wright is quick and crafty off the bounce, beating her primary defender with ease and then playmaking from there. She’s undersized at 5-foot-4, but her creativity around the rim helps Wright overcome the size disadvantage. Wright plays uptempo, making things happen in the open court, which will play well off a big like Hannah Stuelke who loves to run the floor. Wright also showcased deep range at times last season and I expect her to develop into a three-level scorer at Iowa.
Elina Aarnisalo, 5-foot-10 sophomore guard, North Carolina
Thanks to years of professional experience in Finland, Aarnisalo is a player with maturity beyond her years. After backing up Kiki Rice last season at UCLA, Aarnisalo opted to transfer to North Carolina, where she will be the team’s primary point guard. UCLA’s early-season victory over South Carolina last year showcased Aarnisalo’s potential (13 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in place of an injured Rice), and now with an expanded role, the 5-foot-10 guard will be able to show off her full range of skills.
Timea Gardiner, 6-foot-3 senior forward, UCLA
Ranked as the No. 6 player in the class of 2022, Gardiner started her career at Oregon State before transferring to UCLA as a junior. Over three seasons, she has averaged 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 39 percent from the three-point line, and we still haven’t seen Gardiner at full strength. Her freshman season was cut short after blood clots were found in her lungs, then she spent the next two seasons playing through a nagging knee injury. Now, Gardiner is finally healthy and ready to show off her full range of skills. Her long-range shooting often ignited UCLA last season, but at 6-foot-3, Gardiner can also score in the paint, something she will likely do more of this season.
Maddie Scherr, 5-foot-10 graduate senior guard, TCU
Scherr was supposed to play for TCU last season, but a back injury delayed her final year of eligibility. A McDonald’s All-American in 2020, Scherr started her career at Oregon but never hit her stride and opted to play her next two seasons in her home state of Kentucky, Scherr got back to her roots as a scorer and facilitator, but as a team, Kentucky struggled. Now, Scherr will play at the two-guard spot for a contending team alongside one of the country’s best point guards in Olivia Miles. Scherr excels in the midrange and can break down her defenders off the bounce, and she’s a creative passer like Miles, which should make them an exciting backcourt duo. Expect Scherr to earn her way back onto back on draft boards like Hailey Van Lith did last season.
Toby Fournier, 6-foot-2 sophomore forward, Duke
No one in the country has more potential than Duke’s 6-foot-2 sophomore forward. Fournier flashed her athleticism and ever-improving post footwork last year, averaging 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a freshman. Fournier, who has been able to dunk since she was 14, has elite athleticism and an ideal frame for college basketball, with both strength and length. She was a star at times last season, while also showing her youth. This year will be about consistency as Fournier expands into the versatile role that Duke’s coaches envisioned for her during her recruitment. Fournier can defend every position, and this season I expect her to play more than just the four on offense, while continuing to score inside and using her instincts to hunt the ball on the glass.
Janiah Barker, 6-foot-4 senior forward, Tennessee
The No. 3 recruit in the class of 2022, Barker was a highly sought-after transfer when she decided to leave Texas A&M after two seasons. She landed at UCLA, but it wasn’t a great fit. Still, the talent is clearly there and as she embarks on her final year, Barker may have found the fit as well. An athletic 6-foot-2 forward, Barker thrives in transition and coach Kim Caldwell’s Volunteers love to push the pace. Barker has both guard and post skills, which means she can exploit almost any defensive matchup. At Tennessee, she will be more of an offensive focal point than she was at UCLA and her numbers are likely to reflect that. In her last season at A&M, Barker averaged 12.2 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 47 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range. That’s about what I anticipate her doing at Tennessee, but with more maturity as she enters her final season.
