Top 5 women's college basketball freshmen in SEC entering 2024-25 season ft. Joyce Edwards
The conference alignment across the college circuit hit the Southeastern Conference this offseason. The conference welcomes the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas to the league. Even though the SEC is home to the undefeated champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks, the additions bring significant caliber with them.
While Texas continues to play high levels of baseball every season, Oklahoma is the reigning Big 12 regular-season title champion. Their addition should help increase the competitiveness in the coming seasons.
Here's a closer look at the top five freshmen that the SEC will showcase in the 2024-25 season.
Top 5 SEC women's basketball freshmen for 2024-25 season
#5. Eris Lester – Alabama Crimson Tide
Lester is a four-star recruit for Alabama stemming from the Montverde Academy. The versatile 5-foot-11 guard can grip the perimeter on both ends of the court. She also competed in the EYBL circuit for the Miami Suns and was handpicked multiple times for Coach Wooten's Basketball Camp.
Eris Lester’s decision to hoop in the SEC comes after going through nearly 50 NCAA Division I programs, including Kentucky, Florida, Florida State and Vanderbilt.
#4. Alivia McGill – Florida
McGill is a five-star recruit and ranked No. 15 on ESPN’s rankings for the 2024 talent class. She is the best recruit Florida has acquired in program history.
Alivia McGill was selected for the Jordan Brand Classic game, McDonald's All-American roster and Adidas All-American team alongside the USA Adidas Eurocamp in 2023.
#3. Madisen McDaniel – South Carolina
The second-best point guard in the 2024 talent class, McDaniel chose Gamecocks over heavy interests from Georgia and Tennessee.
The 5-foot-8 player has basketball roots in her family, with her uncle Ronnie Lester being a former NBA player who earned a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has played a huge role in Madisen’s overall growth and strong mindset.
#2. Mikayla Blakes – Vanderbilt
Blakes is the No. 8 recruit on ESPN’s list and committed to Vanderbilt after overlooking more than five other promising schools in the nation.
The five-star recruit brings in significant EYBL experience, where she averaged 19.6 points while shooting more than 45% from the field. Moreover, she only turned the ball over eight times in 17 games.
#1. Joyce Edwards – South Carolina
In case South Carolina was not dominant enough, Edwards comes as the top freshman in the stacked SEC. The five-star recruit can be Dawn Staley’s go-to player in the coming season. She averaged 28.5 ppg, 13.6 rpg and 3.5 spg in her last season of high school and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year.
Moreover, alongside her leadership in leading Camden High to a state championship, Joyce Edwards will also bring in significant international experience. She was named to the Team USA U19 roster and clinched the gold at the 2023 FIBA U19 Women's World Cup.
Which women's basketball freshman are you most excited to see in the SEC next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.