Best Women College Basketball Players – Top 10 Greatest Ever

Best Women College Basketball Players

The evolution of women’s basketball in the United States is closely linked to the history of college basketball. The NCAA began sponsoring women’s collegiate basketball in 1982, and since then, the sport has experienced significant growth and change. Today, the college basketball season and NCAA tournament are major events in women’s athletics, providing players with a platform to showcase their talents and compete at the highest level. Some of the most renowned stars in women’s basketball, such as Lisa Leslie and Cheryl Miller, emerged from the NCAA tournament. The sport continues to flourish, with new talents like Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu carrying on the legacy established by their predecessors. The history of NCAA women’s basketball will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes and fans.

Compiling a list of the top 10 greatest women’s college basketball players of all time was challenging, given the numerous athletes who have made significant contributions to the sport. However, it is crucial to acknowledge outstanding players who did not make the cut, such as Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Temeka Johnson, Candice Wiggins, Ticha Penicheiro, Nnemkadi Ogwumike, LaToya Thomas, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Mitchell, and Jennifer Azzi.

Top 10 Female College Basketball Players of All-Time

Here is the Top 10 Female College Basketball Players of All Time and check below to know more.

S.No	Name of the Basketball Players	Colleges of the Players
1	Cheryl Miller	USC (1982 to 1986)
2	Diana Tauras	UConn (2000 to 2004)
3	Candace Parker	Tennessee (2004 to 2008)
4	Breanna Stewart	UConn (2012 to 2016)
5	Sabrina Ionescu	Oregon (2016 to 2020)
6	Lynette Woodard	Kentucky (1977 to 1981)
7	Chamique Holdsclaw	Tennessee (1995 to 1999)
8	Sheryl Swoopes	South Plains (1989 to 1991), Texas Tech (1991 to 1993)
9	Kelsey Plum	Washington (2013 to 2017)
10	Bridgette Gordon	Tennessee (1985 to 1989)

Let us see each player in detail.

1. Cheryl Miller – USC (1982 to 1986)

Cheryl Miller was a dominant force in women’s college basketball during her time at USC from 1982 to 1986. Over the course of her four-year career, she averaged an impressive 23.6 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, and scored a total of 3,018 points.

Miller led the Trojans to NCAA Tournament championships in 1983 and 1984, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament both times. She received numerous awards and accolades for her outstanding performance, including the Naismith College Player of the Year award three times, the Wade Trophy once, and the Sports Illustrated College Basketball Player of the Year award in her senior year.

Born in Riverside, California, Miller comes from a family of athletes, including her brother, Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, and her brother Darrell, a former MLB catcher. Miller’s success at USC made her one of the most accomplished athletes in the school’s history and a trailblazer for women’s basketball. After her playing career, Miller went on to become a coach, starting as an assistant coach at USC in 1986 before eventually becoming the head coach in 1993. Despite Miller’s incredible talent, there was no WNBA for her to play professionally in after college, so she chose coaching as her post-playing career.

Miller’s legacy remains strong today, as she was the first player, regardless of gender, to have her jersey retired by USC. She still holds the all-time records in numerous categories for the Trojans, including points, rebounds, field goals made, free throws made, games played, and steals.

2. Diana Taurasi – UConn (2000 to 2004)

Diana Taurasi played point guard for the University of Connecticut from 2000 to 2004. She averaged 15 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game over her college career. Taurasi was part of the UConn team that won three consecutive national championships from 2002 to 2004, and she was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the final two years. She received a host of awards, including the Wade Trophy, two Naismith Awards, the AP College Player of the Year, the USBWA Women’s National Player of the Year, and was named an All-American three times. Taurasi was the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury and went on to win three WNBA championships, ten All-WNBA First Team selections, and was a ten-time WNBA All-Star.

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3. Candace Parker – Tennessee (2004 to 2008)

Candace Parker was a forward who played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2004 to 2008. She averaged nearly 20 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game throughout her college career. Parker helped lead the Volunteers to two NCAA championships in 2007 and 2008 and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player both times. In addition to these achievements, Parker received numerous awards, including the Wade Trophy, two John R. Wooden awards, the Naismith Award, two AP Female Athlete of the Year titles, and two USBWA Women’s National Player of the Year awards. She was also named an All-American three times. Parker was the first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks and won two WNBA championships and seven All-WNBA First Team selections during her career.

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4. Breanna Stewart – UConn (2012 to 2016)

One of the most dominant college basketball players of the past decade, Breanna Stewart.

Stewart achieved something that none of the UConn legends before her had accomplished: winning four consecutive national championships. Moreover, she joined Cheryl Miller as the only two players to win three Naismith Awards. One of the most remarkable aspects of Stewart’s college game was her ability to continuously raise the bar. In her senior year, just when it seemed there were no more records or awards to attain, she achieved career-highs in both points (19.4) and rebounds (8.7), all while shooting an astonishingly efficient 57.9% from the field.

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5. Sabrina Ionescu – Oregon (2016 to 2020)

Sabrina Ionescu played for Oregon from 2016 to 2020, averaging 18 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. She won multiple awards, including the Naismith College Player of the Year and the AP Player of the Year in 2019-20, as well as the Wade Trophy twice. Ionescu led the Ducks to their first Final Four appearance in 2018-19, and she is the NCAA’s all-time leader in career triple-doubles. In 2020, she was drafted first overall by the New York Liberty in the WNBA.

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6. Lynette Woodard – Kentucky (1977 to 1981)

Lynette Woodard played for the Kansas Lady Jayhawks from 1977 to 1981, averaging 26.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. She won numerous awards, including the Wade Trophy in 1980-81 and All-American recognition four times. Although she did not win an NCAA championship, Woodard was a pioneer in the early days of women’s basketball and was instrumental in developing the game. She played professionally in Italy and Japan and was the first woman to join the Harlem Globetrotters. In 1997, Woodard came out of retirement to play for the Cleveland Rockets and Detroit Shock in the first two seasons of the WNBA. She received an award in 2015 for her contributions to women’s basketball.

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7.  Chamique Holdsclaw – Tennessee (1995 to 1999)

Chamique Holdsclaw, a former Tennessee Volunteers player from 1995 to 1999, had a remarkable college career, averaging 20.2 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. She received numerous accolades, including being a three-time NCAA champion (1996-1998), a two-time Naismith Award winner (1997-1999), a two-time AP Player of the Year (1997-1999), and a four-time All-American (1995-1999).

Holdsclaw was considered a legend in women’s college basketball, ranking 11th on the all-time NCAA scoring list and becoming just the fifth woman to exceed 3,000 points during her college career. Under the mentorship of Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, she helped lead Tennessee to three consecutive NCAA championships, culminating in a perfect 39-0 season in 1998, setting the NCAA women’s basketball record for most wins in one season.

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8. Sheryl Swoopes – South Plains (1989 to 1991)

Sheryl Swoopes, who played at South Plains College from 1989 to 1991 and Texas Tech from 1991 to 1993, is one of the most successful female basketball players of all time. She began her college career at the University of Texas but transferred to South Plains College, where she was named the National Junior College Player of the Year. After transferring to Texas Tech, Swoopes led her team to an NCAA Championship in 1993 and scored a record 47 points in the championship game, earning her the NCAA Final Four MVP. Swoopes was the first player to sign a WNBA contract and achieved numerous accomplishments, including four WNBA championships, eight WNBA All-Star Game appearances, and five All-WNBA First Team recognitions. She also won the WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards three times each, and led the league in both scoring and steals during her 1999-00 MVP season.

9. Kelsey Plum – Washington (2013 to 2017)

Kelsey Plum was a notable player from the University of Washington who played from 2013 to 2017. During her college career, Plum had an exceptional record of 26.3 points per game, 12.5 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game. Her senior year was remarkable, and she broke the NCAA scoring record with 3,527 points. Plum’s achievements in 2016-17 earned her numerous awards, including the Naismith College Player of the Year, Wade Trophy, John R. Wooden Award, USBWA Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, and the distinction of being the NCAA All-Time Women’s Leading Scorer.

10. Bridgette Gordon – Tennessee (1985 to 1989)

Bridgette Gordon of Tennessee had an impressive college career from 1985 to 1989. She maintained an average of 18 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game, earning several awards, including two NCAA championships, four All-SEC team recognitions, and two All-American awards. Gordon’s achievements led her team to four consecutive NCAA Tournament Final Four appearances, making her one of the most accomplished NCAA women’s basketball players. Her performance and dedication resulted in the University of Tennessee retiring her No. 30 jersey in her honor.

TRENDING

Who is the Best Female  Basketball Player of All Time?

Cheryl Miller left an indelible mark on women’s basketball by showcasing her extraordinary skills and athleticism both in high school and college. During her time at Riverside Polytechnic High School, Miller achieved a remarkable feat by setting a single-game record of 105 points against Notre Vista High School in 1982.

As a forward for the University of Southern California from 1982 to 1986, Miller played a pivotal role in popularizing women’s basketball in the United States. Her impressive performance also earned her a spot on the Olympic team, where she led the team to gold while averaging over 16 points per game.

Miller’s incredible talent and charismatic personality made her one of the most prominent figures in college and professional athletics. In 1986, she became the first player, male or female, to be named Sports Illustrated’s College Basketball Player of the Year. With a career total of 3,018 points and four All-America honors, Miller was also a three-time Naismith Player of the Year and won the Wade Trophy once.

Conclusion

Women’s college basketball has come a long way since the NCAA began sponsoring it in 1982. The sport has grown and evolved, producing some of the most talented players of all time. The top 10 female college basketball players of all time include Cheryl Miller, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Lynette Woodard, Chamique Holdsclaw, Sheryl Swoopes, Kelsey Plum, and Bridgette Gordon, who have all made significant contributions to the sport. However, it is essential to acknowledge other outstanding players who did not make the list. Women’s college basketball will continue to inspire future generations of athletes and fans, and these players’ legacies will live on for years to come.

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