5 tallest women's college basketball freshmen entering 2024-25 season ft. Kateryna Koval
Unlike Zach Edey, PJ Hall or Hunter Dickinson, the best women’s college basketball players are not one of the tallest. Instead, guards like Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins dominate the top spot.
Nevertheless, players like Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso and Lauren Betts are slowly narrowing the gap. Last year, four players taller than six-foot-three featured on ESPN’s list of best women’s collegiate circuit players.
So, as the 2024-25 season nears, let's look at the five tallest freshman from the upcoming pool of players in women’s college basketball.
Five Tallest women's college basketball freshmen in 2024-25 season
#1 Adeang Ring (6-foot-5)
The tallest freshman on the list, Adeang Ring is a natural leader springing from Phoenix. The center was ranked second overall in the state of Arizona where she studied at the Bella Vista College Prep.
Originally from Australia, Ring brings a veteran-like defensive presence to the court. Expect her to be vocal and make her presence known on the court as she will play for Sytia Messer and the UCF Knights in the coming season.
#2 Blanca Thomas (6-foot-5)
Blanca Thomas is ESPN’s 10th-ranked recruit and the second-ranked player in North Carolina.
Playing for Charlotte Catholic, she produced 1,189 points and 804 rebounds during her initial three years. While doing so, she garnered Charlotte Observer's All-Observer first-team honor and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Blanca Thomas had offers from programs like Duke, Michigan, NC State, Notre Dame, Stanford and five other institutions. However, Thomas decided to continue what the tallest and best big men have been choosing lately, the Tar Heels. She will suit up for Courtney Banghart in the coming season.
#3 Arianna Roberson - (6-foot-4)
Arianna Roberson, the Texas native is ranked as the 19th best prospect by ESPN and is the No. 2 player out of the state.
She put up 17 points and 12 rebounds throughout her high school year and grabbed the San Antonio Express-News Player of the Year award alongside the Defensive Player of the Year honor.
She will play for the Blue Devils next season and is now part of the women’s U18 FIBA Team USA roster competing for the Americup in Columbia.
#4 Ella Hobbs (6-foot-4)
Ella Hobbs is the lowest-ranking player on the list of 5 tallest freshmen entering women’s basketball. However, that doesn't justify the impact she creates on the court. Hobbs brings a rare blend of power and size that can help her bully inside the paint, block shots and take charge.
Moreover, she can efficiently transition to shooting the ball from the long range. The four-star recruit overlooked Tar Heels, Miami, Virginia and Michigan to commit to the Buckeyes and will be part of Kevin McGuff's five-out offense next season.
#5 Kateryna Koval (6-foot-4)
Kateryna Koval, the tallest player amongst the top 15 prospects and the best player on the list, is ranked fifth in upcoming talent by ESPN.
Koval is a skilled, competitive and versatile center with a high ceiling. She models her game around Nikola Jokic and A’ja Wilson, which enables her to not only control the block but also step out of the arc.
Once confused between ballet and basketball as a career, she will play for Notre Dame in her freshman season next year where she will get ample opportunities to showcase her high IQ and dominating motor.