The Athletic Unveils Women’s College Basketball All-America Team

The Women’s College Basketball All-America Team for the 2025-26 season has been announced by El-Balad, highlighting the best players in the sport. This year’s selections showcase a mix of returning stars and standout newcomers, emphasizing both individual talent and team success.

First Team Selections

• Sarah Strong, UConn – Sophomore, Forward: Strong led UConn to an undefeated regular season and was on the brink of making history with a nearly flawless scoring record, featuring 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.
• Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt – Sophomore, Guard: She topped the nation in scoring with an impressive average of 27.1 points per game, including five 30-point games against top-25 teams in February.
• Lauren Betts, UCLA – Senior, Center: Averaging 16.3 points, Betts is a defensive powerhouse, significantly impacting shot attempts against her team.
• Olivia Miles, TCU – Graduate Student, Guard: Miles excels as the primary playmaker, averaging 20.1 points and 6.5 assists per game while orchestrating TCU’s offense.
• Madison Booker, Texas – Junior, Forward: Booker has consistently excelled, now with average stats of 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game.

Second Team Selections

• Joyce Edwards, South Carolina – Sophomore, Forward: Edwards thrived with an average of 19.8 points per game and impressive shooting accuracy.
• Azzi Fudd, UConn – Graduate Student, Guard: A key player for UConn, Fudd reached career highs, contributing 17.9 points per game.
• Olivia Olson, Michigan – Sophomore, Guard: Olson showcased her talent with a game-winning shot against Ohio State and an average of 19.6 points per game.
• Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame – Junior, Guard: The ACC’s player and defensive player of the year, Hidalgo is among the top active scorers in Division I history.
• Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State – Sophomore, Guard: Cambridge dominated the Big Ten, leading in scoring with 23.4 points per game.
• Flau’jae Johnson, LSU – Senior, Guard: Known for her energy and playmaking abilities, Johnson adds depth to LSU’s team dynamics.

Recognition and Continuity

The selections reflect a trend where winning teams and performances in critical matches are rewarded. The panel responsible for the picks emphasized the significance of players contributing to successful team outcomes. As the season wraps up, the focus remains on achieving championship goals.

Notable Trends

• All but two players are repeating selections from previous All-America teams.
• The sophomore class has emerged as particularly strong this season.
• Statistics underscore a strong correlation between individual success and team performance.

As the 2025-26 season marks another chapter in women’s college basketball, the All-America team selections celebrate the remarkable achievements of these athletes. With many promising talents continuing to develop, the future of the sport looks exceptionally bright.