Rashard Hall's 2025-26 NCAA Power Rankings 1.0

The NCAA women's basketball season is back and that means our draft and scouting editor Rashard Hall is back to power rank the top programs and tell you about the best players in the nation.

With the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season officially underway, teams are beginning to show who’s ready to contend and who’s still finding their rhythm. This first edition of the biweekly rankings takes an early look at the landscape — with plenty sure to change as programs settle in and new stars emerge.

1. UConn Huskies:

The defending champions strengthened their roster with Serah Williams (Wisconsin) and Kayleigh Heckel (USC), adding depth to an already loaded team led by star returners Azzi Fudd (21.5 PPG) and Sarah Strong (21.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG). Shade, Arnold, and Alfy look to take on bigger roles this season. Even without Paige Bueckers, the Huskies haven’t missed a step and are early favorites to repeat as national champions as they start their season 2-0.

2. South Carolina Gamecocks:

The national runner-up reloaded with Ta’Niya Latson, last season’s national scoring leader at 25.2 points per game. Latson gives South Carolina a proven offensive spark, adding versatility and depth to the backcourt. Through two games, she and sophomore Joyce Edwards are pacing the Gamecocks with 18.5 points apiece, while Tessa Johnson (16.5 PPG) and Raven Johnson (11.0 PPG, 9.0 APG) look poised for breakout seasons.

The team took early hits with Chloe Kitts (10.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG) sidelined by a preseason ACL tear and Ashlyn Watkins (7.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG) still recovering from the ACL injury that ended her last season. Even so, Madina Okot has stepped in and provided steady production inside.

3. UCLA Bruins:

Despite losing several players to the transfer portal, the Bruins (3-0) remain one of the nation’s top teams. Gianna Kneepkens leads the way with 16.3 PPG, giving UCLA a reliable outside threat, while Lauren Betts (14.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG) may not need to carry a heavy load with Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, and a healthy Charlise Leger-Walker rounding out a talented starting five. Moving Dugalić to the bench could be a key tweak, and fans are still awaiting the debut of Sienna Betts, Lauren’s younger sister.