Get ready for an exciting and unpredictable season in the ACC women's basketball conference! The race for dominance is wide open, and the spotlight is up for grabs.
A New Era in ACC Women's Hoops
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is known for its stellar women's basketball, often rivaling the mighty Southeastern Conference. But this upcoming season promises a fresh start as the league bids farewell to roughly 70% of last year's all-ACC team. That's right, we're talking about a massive turnover of talent, including two Associated Press second-team All-Americans, Ta'Niya Latson and Olivia Miles.
The Impact of Star Departures
Teams like N.C. State, who relied on star players Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James, are now facing a new reality. Charlotte Brooks, a junior guard at N.C. State, reflects on the changing dynamics: "Some people we might not know yet might step up and shock everybody."
And she's not alone in this sentiment. Florida State coach Brooke Wyckoff understands the challenge, especially after losing national scoring leader Ta'Niya Latson to South Carolina. Wyckoff says, "With so much change, it's going to be exciting to see who really rises to the top."
A Changed Top Tier
The list of returning all-conference players is headlined by Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, a two-time AP first-team All-American. However, 11 of the 15 players from the All-ACC first-team are gone, including the dynamic Rivers-James duo, Notre Dame's Sonia Citron, and key players like Makayla Timpson (FSU) and Alyssa Ustby (North Carolina).
This massive turnover extends to the second team as well, with 17 of the 25 players from last year's all-ACC teams departing. Notable losses include Duke forward Oluchi Okananwa, who transferred to Maryland after being named the ACC Tournament's MVP.
Roster Turnover and the Future
While roster changes are common in college athletics, this year's loss rate of all-conference players (68%) is significantly higher than the previous two years. Wyckoff highlights the unknowns: "It's going to be exciting to see who really rises to the top and who does what."
But she remains optimistic, emphasizing the league's coaching talent: "They'll get the players in the right spots to do some good stuff."
The Spotlight Shifts
With the departure of so many stars, the spotlight shifts to a new generation of players. Virginia's Kymora Johnson and Duke's Toby Fournier join Hidalgo and Brooks as the only first-team all-conference players returning for the 2025-26 season.
Fournier, a skilled forward, embraces the spotlight: "I love having a spotlight because that means I can inspire, especially young girls."
Recruiting and Transfers: The Future of ACC Hoops
So, how does the ACC plan to retool for the future? The league has an impressive 27 recruits ranked in ESPN's Top 100, second only to the SEC's 28. This includes McDonald's All-Americans like Duke guard Emilee Skinner, North Carolina guard Nyla Brooks, and California guard Aliyahna Morris.
Stanford also boasts the nation's No. 3-ranked recruiting class, with five McDonald's All-Americans joining their ranks.
Additionally, incoming transfers like N.C. State's Khamil Pierre, Louisville's Laura Ziegler, and Syracuse's Laila Phelia bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new teams.
A League of Opportunity
Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack sees this period of transition as an opportunity: "With the unknown, 11 of our top 15 players are out of the conference, it leaves us with the same mindset that we're going to still be successful."
She continues, "Programs like Syracuse University can now dream and believe that we can be a viable option to have that success."
So, who will rise to the top in this wide-open race for the spotlight? Only time will tell. The ACC women's basketball conference is set for an exciting and unpredictable season, and we can't wait to see the new stars emerge!
