Simply over a month into the 2024-2025 ladies’s school basketball season, a lot of the chatter has been about high veteran skills like Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson and even Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. However a gaggle of freshmen hoopers must also be in your radar.
At For The Win, we prefer to hold you knowledgeable and make you look cool to your folks within the group chat. Our job is that can assist you know just a little one thing about who’s in your TV. So, consider this listing as our not-so-secret present to you. It’s not each freshman baller, however it’s a really strong assortment of gamers who deserve extra recognition.
Right here’s 5 freshmen hoopers you shouldn’t ignore:
Nov 20, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies ahead Sarah Sturdy (21) shoots a 3 level basket through the second half in opposition to the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Necessary Credit score: Mark Smith-Imagn Photos
Sarah Sturdy is the most effective freshman within the nation proper now. She’s acquired an unimaginable knack for scanning the ground and realizing precisely the place to be when UConn wants it. That type of excessive basketball IQ is tremendous spectacular for a younger participant. She does an excellent job of getting north and south and utilizing her momentum to shred the paint for easy baskets.
Additionally, she will be able to shoot it from the 3-point line and let it fly with out issues. Sturdy already has three 20-point video games, together with 21 factors in opposition to Louisville, the place she shot 80 % from the sphere and hit 3-point buckets. UConn and Geno Auriemma have a future star on their fingers, and the nice information is that this isn’t her peak type. Sarah ― look forward to it ― is just getting STRONGER. (I’ll present myself out.)
HENDERSON, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 25: Toby Fournier #35 of the Duke Blue Devils blocks Kennedy Taylor #12 of the Kansas State Wildcats within the third quarter of a sport at Lee’s Household Discussion board on November 25, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Picture by Ian Maule/Getty Photos)
Anytime a Kara Lawson-coached participant makes waves, you wish to listen. Duke freshman Toby Fournier goes to be an issue. She performs exceptionally fluidly and infrequently completes her baskets in a single motion earlier than opponents can perceive what’s occurring.
Fournier’s skill to make use of her size to complete on the rim and elevate above gamers can’t be understated. It’s a part of the rationale why you’ll possible see her dunk ― yes, she can do that ― earlier than the season is over and crank out a 20-point double-double like she nearly did against Virginia Tech. Fournier ended her day with 27 factors and 9 rebounds on 70 % taking pictures.
Dec 8, 2024; Fort Price, Texas, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks ahead Joyce Edwards (8) scores. abasket in opposition to TCU Horned Frogs heart Sedona Prince (13) through the first half at Dickies Area. Necessary Credit score: Chris Jones-Imagn Photos
The oldsters in South Carolina must be completely hyped about Joyce Edwards. The way in which she performs is silky easy, and in the event you hear anybody evaluating her to Gamecocks legend A’ja Wilson, LET THEM COOK.
The previous No. 2 recruit isn’t a starter but, however the shades of A’ja in her sport (the leg kick when taking pictures, the spin move and the flexibility to complete across the rim with contact) might change that later this season or early subsequent yr. Edwards is at all times prepared when known as and imposes her will on each side of the ground. The younger ahead additionally has beautiful physique management and might casually flip a shot in whereas wanting backward or transitioning right into a Euro step. You recognize, nothing main.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 04: Syla Swords #12 of the Michigan Wolverines drives in opposition to MiLaysia Fulwiley #12 of the South Carolina Gamecocks within the second quarter of their sport through the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame Collection at T-Cell Area on November 04, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Ethan Miller/Getty Photos)
Syla Swords is a straight hooper. FULL STOP. To open the season, she made South Carolina look silly making an attempt to protect her as she shot her solution to 27 factors, which wasn’t a fluke. Swords already has 4 20-point video games in simply 9 matchups. That’s BONKERS.
How does she do it? WITH CONFIDENCE. Swords has a no-fear mentality that permits her to drop buckets on anyone, and in the event you don’t catch her earlier than she steps behind the 3-point line, I ship my condolences to you.
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) shoots the ball in opposition to the Bowling Inexperienced Falcons within the second half at Worth Metropolis Area on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Write this identify down now: JALONI CAMBRIDGE. Don’t ask questions. Simply thank me later. Cambridge is particular, man. There’s no different solution to say that. The quantity of issues she will be able to do on the courtroom is unimaginable.
At any given second, she will be able to navigate by means of the protection with a full head of steam however cease on a dime and swish a pull-up jumper, or she will be able to go coast to coast after stealing a ball, leaving her opponents within the mud. There’s a purpose she’s logging starting minutes for Ohio State. In case you see Jaloni Cambridge coming by means of, GET OUT THE WAY.