Top 5 freshmen year women's college basketball players in Big 12 entering 2024-25 season ft. Jadyn Wooten
For the second straight year, the Big 12 conference experienced a major shakeup. Last year, BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and UCF joined the league. This time, four new additions came through - Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Moreover, Oklahoma and Texas exited the conference, repainting the Big 12 landscape.
With that, let’s look at the top freshman players who entered the Big 12 conference before the 2024-25 season.
Top five women's basketball freshmen players in Big 12 for the 2024-25 season
#5 Grace Oliver - Colorado
Oliver was Massachusetts’ Gatorade Player of the Year and will be a part of Buffalo's attempt to mount a back-to-back deep NCAA run. She averaged 12 points and 11.5 rebounds in her freshman high school season and 20 ppg and 10 rpg the next year.
Oliver followed up with 13 points and 11 rebounds throughout her junior season, earning a spot on ESPN’s top 100 players in the 2024 talent pool.
#4 Lauryn Swann - Arizona Wildcats
Stemming from Kiyan Anthony’s high school, Swann has showcased improvement in her bounce, speed and shooting in recent months. She came to Arizona while inspecting offers from Wisconsin, Georgetown, Marquette, Missouri and Clemson.
Swann will be a huge part of the Wildcats’ pursuits of cultivating high-caliber players while staying under the radar. She ticks every box Arizona wanted from the young recruit.
#3 Delaney Gibb - BYU Cougars
A top 50 player on ESPN’s list of 2024 best 2024 recruits, Gibb is a five-foot-10 point guard emerging from Canada. With skills to bring eyes to her game in high school, she also has significant global experience, with a junior national team stint.
Moreover, since Delaney Gibb played her freshman year at Timpview High, it won't take her much time to soak in the Cougars’ culture.
#2 Jadyn Wooten - Oklahoma State
The five-foot-six player was pursued by the Cowgirls due to Jacie Hoyt’s need for an elite point guard. Wooten brings high IQ basketball, dependable passing and a unique touch to her game.
The top player in Kansas constantly spots open teammates on the floor and can also take care of the scoring. For the same reasons, Jadyn Wooten might have greater opportunities this season than most freshmen in her class.
#1 Kayla Nelms - Baylor Bears
Baylor’s first talent class for the Big 12 conference brings in a two-time state championship winner. Nelms, a four-star recruit made it to multiple ESPN lists for the 2024 recruits.
Coach Nicki Collen already believes in Kayla Nelms’ scoring abilities, drive to win and ability to fit into the Bears’ culture.