The 2026–27 women’s college basketball season is almost here, and a talented new generation of players is preparing to make its mark on the college game. With national championship contenders welcoming highly rated recruits, the battle for attention will extend beyond established stars to the freshmen who could reshape their teams’ fortunes.
Several programs have assembled impressive recruiting classes, but five newcomers stand out for different reasons. Some are joining championship-caliber teams where opportunities could be limited, while others have a chance to become leading scorers from the moment they step onto the court.
From USC’s exciting collection of talent to South Carolina’s crowded frontcourt and Kentucky’s promising new point guard, these are five freshmen worth watching as the new season gets underway.
1. Saniyah Hall, USC: Can She Become Part of a Championship-Winning Big Three?
USC has already established itself as one of the teams to watch this season, with JuJu Watkins and Jazzy Davidson providing the foundation for its championship ambitions. The arrival of Saniyah Hall gives the Trojans another highly rated prospect who could make their offense even more dangerous.
Hall enters college with the kind of all-around offensive potential that makes elite recruits so exciting. She can create opportunities with the ball in her hands, attack defenders and contribute as a scorer from different areas of the floor.
The biggest question is how USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb will distribute responsibilities among three players who could each command significant offensive attention.
Watkins has already demonstrated her ability to produce at an elite level, while Davidson showed last season that she could shoulder a substantial workload. Adding Hall to that combination gives USC another player capable of taking over stretches of a game.
There are encouraging early signs. During a preseason scrimmage against California, Hall recorded 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including two made three-pointers. Davidson contributed 18 points and seven assists, while Watkins also scored 18 points despite playing fewer minutes.
Although an exhibition performance cannot guarantee regular-season success, the results offer an intriguing glimpse of what this group might accomplish.
USC’s challenge will be finding a system that allows all three stars to thrive without diminishing what makes each of them special. If Gottlieb succeeds, the Trojans could possess one of the most formidable offensive combinations in the country.
With USC entering the season ranked No. 3 nationally, Hall could become an important piece of a team aiming to compete for the national championship.
Why she matters: Hall has the potential to give USC another dependable scoring option, making an already dangerous roster even harder to defend.
2. Oliviyah Edwards, South Carolina: Finding Her Place on a Championship-Caliber Roster
Joining South Carolina means entering one of the most competitive environments in women’s college basketball. For five-star freshman Oliviyah Edwards, the opportunity is enormous, but earning consistent playing time could be one of her first major challenges.
The 6-foot-3 forward brings an exciting combination of size, athleticism and versatility. Her ability to attack the basket and contribute in multiple areas gives her considerable long-term potential under head coach Dawn Staley.
However, South Carolina is hardly short of talented frontcourt players.
Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins are returning after missing last season while recovering from injuries. Joyce Edwards also remains an important part of the program’s future, while French forward Alicia Tournebize offers additional size and the potential to stretch opposing defenses.
The Gamecocks have also added other promising freshmen, including five-star prospect Kaeli Wynn and four-star recruit Kelsi Andrews.
That depth creates an interesting situation. Oliviyah Edwards might possess the talent to become a leading player at many other programs, yet she will have to compete for opportunities on a roster filled with experienced players and highly rated newcomers.
Her most realistic route to an early role could begin on the defensive end.
South Carolina has built its identity around defensive intensity, physical play and athletic versatility. If Edwards can use her length, mobility and energy to disrupt opponents, she could earn valuable minutes while continuing to develop her offensive game.
There is also considerable potential for her to become a more complete offensive player over time, particularly if she develops into a forward who can create for teammates and consistently knock down outside shots.
Staley has experience managing talented rosters, but finding the right balance among so many capable players will be a significant part of South Carolina’s season.
Why she matters: Edwards has the physical tools to become a difference-maker, but her development and ability to adapt to South Carolina’s system will determine how quickly she can contribute.
3. Kate Harpring, North Carolina: Could She Become One of the Season’s Breakout Scorers?
While some freshmen must fight for opportunities on loaded rosters, Kate Harpring appears positioned to take on a much larger offensive responsibility at North Carolina.
The Tar Heels enter the season ranked No. 12 nationally, but changes to their backcourt have created an opening for a newcomer who can score, handle the ball and help lead the offense.
Both Elina Aarinsalo and Lanie Grant departed through the transfer portal, leaving North Carolina with important minutes and responsibilities to redistribute.
Harpring could benefit significantly from that situation.
The talented guard has the potential to become one of the Tar Heels’ primary offensive options, giving her an opportunity to establish herself early in her college career. Unlike freshmen joining teams with several established stars, she may have more freedom to learn through experience and take on difficult assignments.
Her preseason performance against Maryland offered an encouraging indication of what she might bring. Harpring finished with 29 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Those numbers are impressive, although the true test will come when the regular season begins and opponents have time to prepare specifically for her.
North Carolina will need more than individual scoring performances to compete with the strongest teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Harpring must learn when to attack, when to involve her teammates and how to remain effective when defenses focus on limiting her opportunities.
There is a useful comparison with Oklahoma guard Aaliyah Chavez, who experienced the challenges of carrying substantial offensive responsibility as a highly rated freshman last season.
Chavez showed flashes of brilliance while also experiencing some of the inconsistency that commonly accompanies a young player’s adjustment to college basketball.
Harpring could follow a similar path, combining standout performances with periods of learning and adjustment.
If she adapts quickly, however, North Carolina could become a more dangerous team than preseason expectations suggest.
Why she matters: Harpring has a genuine opportunity to become a leading scorer as a freshman, and her development could determine how far the Tar Heels go this season.
4. Jacy Abii, Notre Dame: The Freshman Who Could Give Hannah Hidalgo a Powerful New Teammate
Notre Dame enters the new season with a familiar star and a potentially stronger supporting cast.
Hannah Hidalgo remains central to the Fighting Irish’s ambitions after leading the program through a challenging period of roster turnover and helping it reach the Elite Eight last season.
This time, head coach Niele Ivey has brought in a highly regarded recruiting class that could give Hidalgo more offensive support.
Jacy Abii is one of the most intriguing additions.
The five-star freshman has the potential to become a versatile wing capable of shooting, passing and creating opportunities off the dribble. That combination could be particularly valuable alongside Hidalgo, who has established herself as one of the team’s leading offensive threats.
Notre Dame has previously featured talented players who complemented Hidalgo in different ways. Abii offers the possibility of a slightly different partnership, with the ability to contribute both as a scorer and as a creator.
The fit could become even more interesting because of the arrival of freshmen Jenica Lewis and Bella Ragone, who are known for their shooting ability.
If those players can consistently threaten opposing defenses from the perimeter, Notre Dame could create more space for Hidalgo to attack and give Abii better opportunities to operate on the wing.
The team’s preseason exhibition against Truman State offered an early glimpse of its offensive potential. Abii finished with 20 points and six rebounds, while Hidalgo recorded 33 points and seven steals.
Four Notre Dame players reached at least 20 points in the contest, demonstrating the variety of scoring options available on the roster.
Of course, exhibition results should be treated cautiously. The more important question is whether the newcomers can maintain their production against stronger opposition and develop the chemistry needed for conference and NCAA Tournament play.
Abii does not need to replace Hidalgo as Notre Dame’s leading star. Instead, she could become the kind of complementary player who makes the team’s entire offense more difficult to contain.
Why she matters: If Abii develops into a reliable two-way wing, Notre Dame could have the supporting talent needed to make another deep postseason run.
5. Maddyn Greenway, Kentucky: Can She Become Kenny Brooks’ Next Star Point Guard?
Kentucky has an intriguing freshman to watch in Maddyn Greenway, a highly rated recruit who arrives with a background that extends beyond basketball.
Greenway was a standout in Minnesota high school sports, earning recognition in both basketball and soccer while also competing in track and field.
That multi-sport experience makes her an interesting prospect as she prepares to take on the responsibilities of running Kentucky’s offense.
Head coach Kenny Brooks has already demonstrated his ability to develop talented guards, most notably through his work with Georgia Amoore at Virginia Tech and Kentucky.
Amoore became a standout under Brooks before following him to Lexington for her final college season. Greenway now has an opportunity to learn from the same coach as she begins her own journey.
The comparison is intriguing, although Greenway will need to establish her own identity rather than simply follow the path of a former Kentucky star.
One factor that could help her adjust is the presence of senior forward Clara Strack, who stands 6-foot-5 and offers Kentucky an effective target in pick-and-roll situations.
A point guard who can read defensive coverages, deliver accurate passes and make smart decisions can benefit significantly from playing alongside a versatile frontcourt partner.
If Greenway develops a strong connection with Strack, Kentucky could build a productive offensive combination that creates scoring opportunities both inside and outside the paint.
The Wildcats also have a promising freshman class that includes three top-21 prospects, giving Brooks several young players to develop.
Savvy Swords is another name worth monitoring. Her competitive approach and physical style could help her establish a role as she adjusts to the college game.
Kentucky begins the season ranked No. 14, but its young talent could give the program room to exceed expectations if the pieces come together.
For Greenway, the immediate challenge will be adjusting to the speed and physicality of college basketball while learning how to direct an offense against experienced defenders.
Why she matters: Greenway has the potential to become a key playmaker for Kentucky, and her development could help the Wildcats emerge as a serious contender in the SEC.
Which Freshman Could Make the Biggest Impact in 2026–27?
These five players enter college basketball with different expectations, opportunities and challenges.
Saniyah Hall could help USC assemble one of the most dangerous offensive trios in the country. Oliviyah Edwards faces the challenge of earning minutes on an exceptionally deep South Carolina roster. Kate Harpring has an opportunity to establish herself as a leading scorer at North Carolina, while Jacy Abii could give Notre Dame a valuable new dimension alongside Hannah Hidalgo.
Maddyn Greenway, meanwhile, has the chance to begin building her reputation as Kentucky’s next standout point guard.
Their paths will look different, but each has a compelling reason to attract attention as the season begins.
The biggest names in recruiting do not always become the most productive college players immediately. Adjusting to the pace of the game, learning a new system and competing against experienced opponents can take time, even for the most talented prospects.
Still, these freshmen have landed in situations that make their development particularly interesting to follow.
With the 2026–27 season about to begin, the question is which newcomer will turn preseason excitement into consistent performances when the games start to count.
The answer could have a significant impact on the national championship race.
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