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Caitlin Clark: A Three-Time All-America Honoree
Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader from Iowa, received the prestigious honour of being selected to The Associated Press All-America team for the third consecutive year. She joined the elite company of players who have earned this distinction three times, becoming only the 11th player to achieve this remarkable feat. Clark’s outstanding performance garnered unanimous approval from the 35-member national media panel responsible for selecting the AP Top 25 each week.
The Elite First Team
Clark was accompanied on the first team by exceptional athletes such as Stanford’s Cameron Brink, UConn’s Paige Bueckers, and freshmen JuJu Watkins of USC and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame. Notably, Watkins and Hidalgo made history by becoming only the fourth and fifth freshmen since the AP team’s inception in 1994-95 to earn this prestigious recognition, joining the ranks of esteemed players like Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris and UConn’s Maya Moore and Bueckers.
Clark now stands alongside an illustrious group of players who have garnered first-team honours three times, including South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston, Baylor’s Brittney Griner, Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw, and more. Noteworthy achievers like Paris and Moore have achieved this accolade four times in their impressive careers.
Leading the nation in scoring with an average of 31.9 points per game, Clark also showcased her exceptional playmaking skills by ranking first in assists with 8.9. She made history as the first Division I player to achieve consecutive 1,000-point seasons while surpassing 3,000 points and 1,000 assists over her career.
Rising Stars
In addition to Clark’s stellar performance, Watkins made a significant impact as a freshman by scoring 810 points, ranking fourth all-time for a freshman. She contributed 27 points per game, securing second place behind Clark’s impressive scoring statistics. Watkins’ well-rounded game also included 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.5 blocks, leading USC to victory in the Pac-12 Tournament.
Hidalgo’s exceptional contributions on both ends of the court were instrumental in Notre Dame’s success, as she averaged 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while leading the nation in steals with an average of 4.6 per game.
Bueckers, after overcoming injuries that sidelined her for a significant portion of the past two seasons, returned to form, averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Huskies. Her all-around performance demonstrated her commitment to excelling on both ends of the floor.
Recognition for Excellence
Brink’s impressive performance on both offense and defense set her apart, averaging 17.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, leading the nation in the latter category. Her exceptional feat of achieving 100 blocks and 100 assists in a single season placed her in an exclusive group alongside legendary players like Breanna Stewart.
These remarkable athletes exemplify the talent and dedication present in women’s college basketball, showcasing their skills and leadership both on and off the court. Their exceptional performances have set a new standard of excellence in the sport.
Second Team
The AP second team featured standout players such as Elizabeth Kitley, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Madison Booker, and Jacy Sheldon, highlighting the depth of talent present in collegiate women’s basketball.
Third Team
The AP third team included players like Alissa Pili, Daisha Fair, Georgia Amoore, and Reagan Beers, recognizing their outstanding contributions to their respective teams and the sport as a whole.
Honourable Mention
Players like Ayoka Lee and Aaliyah Edwards received honourable mention recognition for their exceptional efforts, demonstrating the competitive nature of women’s college basketball and the wealth of talent present in the game.
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