It’s time to put a bow on the first Big Ten season ending with a national champion in the history of this newsletter. And also a lot of years before this newsletter existed as well.
By the way, this will most likely be the last Hoopla until June. Thank you for following along with me on another wonderful season of Big Ten women’s basketball!
This is the third of three rankings of my personal Top 40 players in the Big Ten conference. I do this before the season, in the middle of the year around the start of Big Ten play and then at the end of the campaign. With this being the End-of-Season ranking, it is strictly focused on how each player performed in 2025-26, with no thought yet of projecting the future.
A few final notes:
This Hoopla 40 shows player movement from the midseason list. That is indicated by the italicized number next to the ranking, and “NEW” is shown for players that were not in those midseason rankings.
Only players who have played at least 15 games were considered for this ranking.
This list includes players that graduated, went to the WNBA Draft or that have transferred out. None of that matters here since this is based on what happened in 25-26, and players will be listed by the team they played with this past season.
This list is hard to order, there are so many good players in this conference! If I have a glaring omission, you hate my order or think it’s absolutely perfect with no notes, I welcome each of those comments to me on Bluesky, thanks!
This is my End-of-Season Hoopla 40, with comments on each player listed below:
Just missed the cut: Mara Braun (Minnesota); Kyrah Daniels (Wisconsin); Te’Yala Delfosse (Michigan); Elsa Lemmilä (Ohio State); Saylor Poffenbarger (Maryland)
(Player statuses as of April 21)
1.) Lauren Betts, UCLA — 17.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.2 APG
Status: WNBA
The head of the UCLA snake that dominated its way to a national title. Betts grew significantly as a player in her time with the Bruins, and leaves as a multi-dimensional big that dominates both paints, can defend against multiple positions and really grew as a facilitator. She was everything UCLA needed her to be.
2.) Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State — 23.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG
Status: Returning
Cambridge very nearly won me over for Big Ten Player of the Year with how much she was able to take over for Ohio State this season. She tried her best to will them further in the NCAA Tournament, but will return to Columbus as one of the top players in the country.
3.) Olivia Olson, Michigan — 18.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.5 APG
Status: Returning
Olson continues to prove herself as a deeply impressive versatile scorer that is the steady hand to Michigan’s entire attack. She’s also a terrific defender and was the best player on perhaps the best Michigan team in program history.
4.) Kiki Rice, UCLA — 14.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.3 APG
Status: WNBA
Rice may be a first-round draft pick national champion, but I still think she is underrated. She was able to play more off-ball this year and absolutely thrived in it, playing extremely efficient hoops while being a lockdown piece of UCLA’s defense.
5.) Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland — 17.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 APG
Status: Returning
Okananwa rules. We knew she was a tenacious defender, but the Duke transfer proved just how much of a weapon she can be at getting to the rim and driving Maryland’s attack. I’m excited to see her work with Brenda Frese for a second season.
6.) Shay Ciezki, Indiana — 22.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.1 APG
Status: WNBA
It was an underwhelming season for Indiana on the whole, but Ciezki still put up one of the best seasons in the program’s history. She finished the season with one of the highest-volume 50-40-90s ever and could not be contained despite being the clear No. 1 option. I really hope she gets a chance in the WNBA, she’s a rare breed type of skilled scorer.
7.) Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA — 13.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.1 APG
Status: WNBA
A lightning bolt to both sides of the floor and the type of player that can make any team she’s on better. Jaquez may be a “role player” but she’s tremendous at said roles. She’s an efficient shooter, excellent driver, capable playmaker and an excellent, excellent defender.
8.) Ava Heiden, Iowa — 18.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.5 APG
Status: Returning
Heiden proved that hype to be extremely warranted and thrived as Iowa’s No. 1 scoring option. She hit over 64% of her shots and worked excellently with Hannah Stuelke in the post. Will be very curious to see how her role shifts next season.
9.) Syla Swords, Michigan — 14.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.4 APG
Status: Returning
One of the hardest players to rank in this list. Swords’ numbers don’t fly off the page like you’d expect, but there are also so few players in the country that I’d rather have down the stretch. She lives for the big moment.
10.) Britt Prince, Nebraska — 17.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.4 APG
Status: Returning
The second 50-40-90 member of the Big Ten. Prince was terrific in her second year with the Cornhuskers and looks to be the point guard that could lead the program to new heights with the right supporting cast.
11.) Jazzy Davidson, USC — 17.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.1 APG
Status: Returning
Jazzy had the runway to lead the Trojans with JuJu Watkins out all season, and all she did was put up outrageous numbers, including 2 steals AND 2 blocks per game. Guys, Watkins comes back next year and I Am Scared.
12.) Berry Wallace, Illinois — 18.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.8 APG
Status: Returning
The Illini really impressed me down the stretch of the season. This was an extremely inexperienced group that still put together a very strong year thanks to Wallace’s scoring leading the way.
13.) Sayvia Sellers, Washington — 18.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.9 APG
Status: Returning
Just a dawg of a point guard that finds a way to get buckets. Sellers continues to thrive with Washington, and the Huskies should be in great position to do it once again next season.
14.) Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA — 12.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.9 APG
Status: WNBA
Kneepkens ended up being as perfect of a transfer as I thought she would be. She’s about as good of shooter as you can find (49.3/42.9/93.3) and was a key puzzle piece to the national title run.
15.) Avery Howell, Washington — 14.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.4 APG
Status: Returning
I will simply not stand for the All-Big Ten Avery Howell erasure that we witnessed last season. She’s an elite rebounder for a guard while hitting 63.3% of her 2s and 43.1% of her 3s. That is pretty good, IMO.
16.) Kennedy Blair, Michigan State — 14.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.2 APG
Status: Returning
Blair is a constant triple-double threat and plays with an energy that is unlike really any of her conference peers. It is infectious to watch — or likely infuriating if you are rooting against her — and this breakout season should be merely the start for her collegiate career.
17.) Grace Grocholski, Minnesota — 12.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.9 APG
Status: Returning
Grocholski continues to quietly put up excellent seasons for the Gophers, and was the team’s top shooter this season. I’d like to see her demand more of the ball, but she was massive in getting Minnesota to its best season in recent memory.
18.) Hannah Stuelke, Iowa — 13.4 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.9 APG
Status: Graduated
Stuelke had an impressive career at Iowa and really grew into a supporting big role well next to Heiden. I’m surprised to not see her on a WNBA training camp roster as of writing this, she’s shown flashes of brilliance and is an excellent rebounder to boot.
19.) Angela Dugalić, UCLA — 9.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.2 APG
Status: WNBA
She may have came off the bench this season, but Dugalić made some absolutely critical contributions during UCLA’s title run. She’s such a well-rounded big who will continue to work next to Betts in Washington.
20.) Mila Holloway, Michigan — 12.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.8 APG
Status: Returning
The third piece of Michigan’s sophomore class, Holloway is the unsung hero of the bunch but is as important with her vision. She adds great defense and is another capable three-point shooter for the Wolverines to build around as well.
21.) Katie Fiso, Oregon — 15.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 6.2 APG
Status: Returning
Fiso made a huge jump in her sophomore season, going from under 10 MPG to over 32, and with it she finished Top 10 in the nation in assists. She should continue to be a huge part of Oregon’s plans next season.
22.) Tori McKinney, Minnesota — 12.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.6 APG
Status: Returning
After a freshman season of extreme promise, McKinney followed that up with a very similar second year, with slight improvements to both her scoring and defensive impact. She’s a tremendous all-around weapon for the Gophers and fits perfectly into their system.
23.) Chit-Chat Wright, Iowa — 12.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.5 APG
Status: Returning
Big, big fan of what Chit-Chat brought to the Hawkeyes. She had an AST/TO ratio north of 2 and shot 44% from three on more than five attempts per game. Her and Heiden are a very exciting duo to bring back next season.
24.) Charlisse Leger-Walker, UCLA — 8.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.6 APG
Status: WNBA
I mean what a luxury to have Leger-Walker — who has three seasons averaging more than 15 FGA per game — shooting merely seven times per contest while getting the ball to all the other weapons. She played her role tremendously, and it led to a trophy and second-round selection for her.
25.) Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State — 15.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.3 APG
Status: WNBA
Another second-round draftee, VanSlooten was en elite interior scorer and offensive rebounder with the Spartans. She averaged 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks a game and became a much more efficient producer in her two seasons in East Lansing.
26.) Kara Dunn, USC — 15.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Status: WNBA
Dunn spent one season with the Trojans and really made it count, especially in Big Ten play where she averaged 17.3 PPG. She’s just a rock solid scorer who worked well with Davidson and who also could easily make a WNBA roster.
27.) Cearah Parchment, Illinois — 13.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.4 APG
Status: Returning
Parchment’s freshman season was a masterclass. She had 54.2/40.7/80.0 efficiency and was not afraid to shoot it from anywhere. That, along with 1.7 steals per game and her excellent rebounding, makes Parchment a dangerous component to Illinois’ continued arsenal of budding talent.
28.) Kiyomi McMiller, Penn State — 21.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.5 APG
Status: Transfer Portal
McMiller is back on the move for the second straight offseason, and while both stops had similarities, there is still no doubting her ability to put the ball in the hoop, and the peaks of that can be astounding. Whether it can be contained and turned into consistent winning basketball? Still to be seen.
29.) Kennedy Cambridge, Ohio State — 9.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.3 APG
Status: Returning
Three Point Seven Steals Per Game. Kennedy Cambridge was a game-wrecker of a defensive player for Ohio State and was also a useful cog on offense through avoiding turnovers. I believe last year was her redshirt junior season, and I hope we see one more year of both Cambridges in Columbus.
30.) Ehis Etute, Oregon — 12.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
Status: Returning
Etute, like Fiso, went from minimal role player to key weapon for the Ducks from year 1 to 2. Etute’s rise really took shape in Big Ten play, where she averaged 15.4 PPG and 9.9 RPG, including 4.6 offensive boards. An absolute menace on the glass I’m excited to see more from.
31.) Brooke Quarles Daniels, Michigan — 5.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.8 APG
Status: Graduated
We’ve had some defensive-minded small guards in this conference over the past few years. To me, none stand out the way BQD did. Quarles Daniels was an elite rebounder and ignited Michigan through effort alone. She felt like an engine for the team and she averaged less than 6 PPG. That’s special, and it made her as key to the Wolverines’ success as just about anyone.
32.) Chance Gray, Ohio State — 14.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.7 APG
Status: WNBA
Gray’s best collegiate season was her final one with the Buckeyes. The shot came together, the playmaking rebounded and she was drafted in the second round for her efforts. The way she ended last year makes me think she has a very real shot to stay around at the professional level.
33.) Gracie Merkle, Penn State — 19.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.3 APG
Status: Transfer to Minnesota
Merkle opted to stay in Penn State after a near-in-conference transfer last season, and her numbers remained strong because of it. I am extremely excited about the potential move to Minnesota to see if she can contribute to a NCAA Tournament team in the same ways.
34.) Amiah Hargrove, Nebraska — 12.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.6 APG
Status: Returning
We better see even more Hargrove in 26-27. She really broke through as a sophomore, first off the bench and ultimately as the key second option to Prince. Her ability as a scoring threat is clear, and I want to see just how much more she has to show off next season.
35.) Grace Sullivan, Northwestern — 21.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.1 APG
Status: WNBA
What a ridiculous scoring season for Sullivan, whose heroics could not quite get Northwestern going all season. Hard to blame her though, as Sullivan shot 53% from the field and easily led the offensive charge for a team that struggled to find other answers.
36.) Yarden Garzon, Maryland — 12.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.0 APG
Status: WNBA
Garzon likely had loftier plans going to Maryland than having the least efficient season of her career, but even her worst shooting is above average from deep (36.7%) on high volume. She was still a big part of Maryland’s success and is a unique prospect with the size and skill to make it at the pro level.
37.) Amaya Battle, Minnesota — 11.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.6 APG
Status: WNBA
So happy for Battle that she got to have a moment in Minnesota history. That buzzer-beater to advance to the Sweet 16 will live forever, as will Battle’s exceptional all-around skillset that included both elite rebounding and perimeter protection.
38.) Rashunda Jones, Michigan State — 11.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.2 APG
Status: Transfer Portal
Jones built on a solid two years of foundation at Purdue and improved her scoring and defensive intensity while with the Spartans. It felt like a great fit, but Jones is currently in the portal and is likely moving to a new home for the second season in a row.
39.) Destiny Jackson, Illinois — 9.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.2 APG
Status: Returning
Hey, did I mention how much I love this young Illinois core yet? Jackson didn’t have quite the level of scoring production that Parchment and Wallace did, but her playmaking was already well above her experience level and she showed such tremendous growth throughout the course of the season. I think we could be in for a massive leap from Jackson next season.
40.) Lenée Beaumont, Indiana — 13.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.0 APG
Status: Returning
The Hoosiers were in a bit of a rebuilding year, and Beaumont is going to be a core piece in the next iteration of Teri Moren’s team. She had a terrific offensive season next to Ciezki, especially coming off a year gap to recover from knee surgery.
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