Takeaways from AP preseason All-America women’s hoops team

Here are some key takeaways from the AP preseason All-America women’s basketball team:

1. UConn’s Paige Bueckers makes third appearance

For the third time in her career, Bueckers is an AP preseason All-American. A unanimous selection by the 30-member national media panel, Bueckers ranked 12th in the country during the 2023-24 season. averaging 21.9 points while shooting an impressive 53 percent from the floor. While UConn’s 2023-24 season came to an end with a Final Four loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa, the return of Bueckers will present the Huskies with another excellent shot at a title.

Despite suffering a torn meniscus and an ACL tear in her left knee over the course of her career at UConn, Bueckers is coming off a healthy 2023-24 season in which she shot 41.6 percent from behind the arc and scored 30 or more points five times.

2. USC standout JuJu Watkins a unanimous selection after record-breaking freshman season

Coming off a sensational freshman season, Watkins joins Bueckers as a unanimous selection to the AP preseason All-America team. Averaging 27.1 points per game, which was second only to Clark’s 31.6, Watkins scored 920 points during the 2023-24 season — a national record for a freshman. She also posted 7.3 rebounds as a major contributor to USC’s deepest NCAA Tournament run in three decades, leading them to an Elite Eight appearance.

If Watkins can improve her efficiency from three-point range after only shooting 31.9 percent last season, she could be even more dangerous considering she scored 40 or more points twice, including a 51-point outing against Stanford.

3. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo returns after impressive freshman season

After leading the Fighting Irish to an ACC tournament title and a Sweet 16 appearance last season, Hidalgo returns for her sophomore campaign. Hidalgo was sixth in the nation in points per game (22.6). She also posted 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists, showcasing her versatility.

Hidalgo only shot 44.6 percent from the floor during the 2023-24 season, which ranked 148th in the country. If she can improve that efficiency, Hidalgo will be much more difficult to defend, having posted a triple-double and seven double-doubles, including a 12-steal performance last season.

4. Madison Booker runs it back for another season at Texas

With an ACL injury suffered keeping star Rori Harmon sidelined for the majority of last season, Booker took on an increased role for the Longhorns as a freshman. Going from the forward position to starting point guard, Booker averaged 16.5 points, five rebounds and five assists, leading Texas to an Elite Eight appearance.

Posting double-figure scoring in all but two games after Harmon’s December injury as well as double-digit rebounds or assists three times, Booker took full advantage of her added usage last season. Now she looks to build on her success going into the 2024-25 season as a well-deserved AP preseason All-American.

 5. Kiki Iriafen gives USC two preseason All-Americans

USC becomes the first team since UConn in 2017-18 to have teammates selected to the preseason All-America team. While Watkins garnered a lot of attention as a freshman sensation last season, the same could be said regarding Iriafen at Stanford. Averaging 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting 54.6 percent from the field, Iriafen played a significant role in the Cardinal’s success.

With Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer’s retirement in April, Iriafen decided to transfer to the Trojans. She’ll look to maintain her consistency, having logged 17 double-doubles last season at Stanford, while providing the Trojans with an increased challenge for opponents.