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Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Yardbarker's 2018-19 college basketball All-America teams

By Jeff Mezydlo | Last updated 3/14/19

As we approach the start of both the women's and men's NCAA Tournaments, it's time to highlight some of the best in the college game. There have been plenty of stellar individual performances this season, mostly from the veterans on the women's side, while some highly touted freshmen have lived up to their preseason billing for the men.

Here we go with Yardbarker's 2018-19 All-America teams for both the men and women, including honorable mention selections.

Let's start with the women ...

Napheesa Collier, F, Sr., Connecticut
It's been a special season for Collier, who was named both the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. She's averaging 20.9 points while shooting 61.4 percent, and averaging 10.5 rebounds with 3.5 assists for the Huskies. She's arguably the most consistent player in the country and, now, will try to lead UConn to its first national championship since 2016.

Asia Durr, G, Sr., Louisville
It was hardly a surprise that Durr was the repeat recipient of the ACC Player of the Year Award. It's been another stellar season for Durr, who is averaging 21.3 points and has blossomed into one of the nation's most complete players. She's second on Louisville's all-time scoring list and plays with plenty of confidence that the Cardinals will need if they're to make a long run in the NCAA Tournament.

Megan Gustafson, C, Sr., Iowa
A remarkable college career is nearing an end for Gustafson. She's Iowa's all-time leader in points and rebounds and currently leads the nation, averaging 28.0 points while shooting 69.6 percent. She also ranks among the top five with 13.3 rebounds per contest. The Big Ten Player of Year scored a league tournament title-game record 45 points to help the Hawkeyes beat No. 1 seed Maryland, 90-76, to win the event this month.

Sabrina Ionescu, G, Jr., Oregon
The triple-double machine has a real shot at earning national Player of the Year honors this season. Ionescu (19.6 ppg, 8.1 apg. 7.5 rpg) was again named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, but the bigger goal for the talented guard is guiding the Ducks to their first-ever Final Four. It might not be easy, especially after they lost to Stanford in the conference tournament championship game. However, Ionescu will do all she can to make sure Oregon has a chance.

Arike Ogunbowale, G, Sr., Notre Dame
Last season's NCAA Tournament hero is ready for an encore. Ogunbowale has managed to follow up an immensely successful junior campaign with a strong senior season, averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists. She's the heart and soul of the Irish roster and the motor that truly makes everything go. If Notre Dame is to have a shot at repeating as national champion, Ogunbowale must be at her best — which usually is the case.

Honorable mention: Kristine Anigwe, F, Sr., California; Kalani Brown, C, Sr., Baylor; Bridget Carleton, G, Sr., Iowa State; Chennedy Carter, G, So, Texas A&M; Kaila Charles, G, Jr., Maryland; Sophie Cunningham, G, Sr., Missouri; Teaira McCowan, C, Sr., Mississippi State; Katie Lou Samuelson, G, Sr., Connecticut; Jessica Shepard, F, Sr., Notre Dame; Alanna Smith, F, Sr., Stanford

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

On the men's side...

RJ Barrett, Guard-Forward, Freshman, Duke

It's quite possible Barrett has exceeded the hype that surrounded his arrival at Duke. It's because he's been so consistently good all season long and plays with poise well beyond his years. Often in the shadow of his more popular teammate who fancies the dunk shot, Barrett ended the regular season averaging a team-leading 23.4 points, plus 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He shot 45.8 percent and also had eight double-doubles.

Rui Hachimura, Forward, Junior, Gonzaga

Hachimura's progression in three seasons with the Zags has been relatively remarkable. The potential has always been there, but until this season, the 6-foot-8 Hachimura, who is of Beninese and Japanese decent, started two collegiate games. And on a team loaded with talent, Hachimura has shined the brightest. He enters the NCAA Tournament averaging a team-best 20.1 points along with 6.6 rebounds. He was rather nonexistent with a season-low nine points in Gonzaga's stunning loss to Saint Mary's in the West Coast Conference Tournament title game, so the Zags can't allow that to happen again.

Grant Williams, Forward, Junior, Tennessee

For the second straight season, Williams was named SEC Player of the Year. Unlike a year ago, the honor was expected this time around. He heads into the conference tournament averaging career highs in points (19.3), boards (7.7), assists (3.3) and steals (1.2.). Williams also put forth arguably the best individual performance of any player in the country in 2018-19. Riding a 12-game winning streak, Tennessee was in trouble at Vanderbilt on Jan. 23. Trailing late, Williams helped the Volunteers force overtime and eventually leave with an 88-83 victory thanks to his 43-point effort that featured a 23-of-23 run from the free-throw line.

Zion Williamson, Forward, Freshman, Duke

The favorite for national Player of the Year honors, Williamson will be there to help the Blue Devils take aim at the national title. While it will be interesting to see how he handles himself, and the knee, Williamson is still the key to Duke's postseason success. His 68.3 shooting percentage from the regular season represented more than just his extraordinary dunks. Second to Barrett in scoring (21.6 ppg), Williamson has been the most entertaining aspect to this college basketball season.

Cassius Winston, Guard, Junior, Michigan State

Prior to the season, Winston was certainly a first-team All-Big Ten candidate, but Player of the Year? Now, there's really no doubt, following the regular season the Spartans star has enjoyed. His 19.0 points and 7.6 assists per game are both career highs. It's truly a case of...as Winston goes so does Michigan State. In the last five regular-season games, Winston scored 20 or more points four times and averaged 8.8 assists to help the Spartans nab a share of the league crown and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.

Honorable mention: Brandon Clarke, F, Jr., Gonzaga; Jarrett Culver, G, So, Texas Tech; Carsen Edwards, G, Jr., Purdue; Ethan Happ, F. Sr., Wisconsin; Markus Howard, G, Jr., Marquette; De'Andre Hunter, G, So., Virginia; Dedric Lawson, F, Jr., Kansas; Caleb Martin, F, Sr., Nevada; Ja Morant, G, So., Murray State; PJ Washington, F, So, Kentucky.

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