As the women’s college basketball season returns, so do the best players. Autumn Johnson ranked her top 10 returners ahead the season.
Here are the ranked players in alphabetical order:
1. Aliyah Boston, South Carolina: Boston is coming off a national championship and enters as the reigning Naismith Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
2. Ashley Joens, Iowa State: Joens enters her senior season already the Cyclones' all-time leader scorer. The star guard averaged 20.3 points to go along with 9.5 rebounds last season.
3. Cameron Brink, Stanford: Brink begins her junior season coming off back-to-back Final Four runs with Stanford. She's a powerful two-way player who will be integral for another potential Cardinal championship.
4. Caitlin Clark, Iowa: Clark will look to score at a high clip in her junior season, just as she lead the nation in scoring as a sophomore. Not to mention, she's a triple-double threat every night who can electrify a crowd.
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5. Deja Kelly, North Carolina: Another high-scoring junior, Kelly returns off a breakout season with the Tar Heels. She led North Carolina to the Sweet 16, falling short against the eventual champs South Carolina.
6. Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech: Senior center Kitley knows how to command the offense. Despite losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Kitley scored a tournament-high 42 points.
7. Hailey Van Lith, Louisville: Van Lith starts her junior season after leading Louisville to a Final Four with a series of dominant performances, scoring 20+ points in all but the semifinals.
8. Olivia Miles, Norte Dame: As just a freshman, Miles ranked top-four in assists, facilitating the Irish offense with a veteran-like ease. She goes into her sophomore campaign off an impressive run to the Sweet 16.
9. Rori Harmon, Texas: Reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, in her freshman year, Harmon makes the top returners list after taking Texas to the Elite Eight.
10. Tamari Key, Tennessee: Domineering defensive threat Key is a top returner in her senior year after leading the nation in blocks (119).
