A Lego lover to Larry Bird clone: 10 players to know in women's NCAA Tournament

Lauren Betts | UCLA

Gotta love this: Some athletes may take an "all for me" approach in the NIL world but not Betts, a 6-foot-7 center. One of her biggest deals is her partnership with Project C.U.R.E., which aligns her brand deals to help go toward charitable causes in the medical field. On the court, she averages nearly a double-double at 19.6 points and 9.7 rebounds.

Audi Crooks | Iowa State

Gotta love this: In a segment titled "Stanchion to Stanchion," published on the Iowa State women's basketball's X page, the 6-foot-3 center revealed she has a hidden talent: singing. It is unclear if she can just hit the high notes or if Crooks may have a career in rap like Johnson, but nonetheless, the nation's eighth-leading scorer (23.2 PPG) can do much more than shoot hoops.

Mikayla Blakes | Vanderbilt

Gotta love this: Only a freshman, the 5-foot-8 guard is already one of the best players in the country, averaging 23.2 points per game. She scored 55 points against Auburn, an NCAA record for points in a game by a freshman. That performance put her with LeBron James as the only two players at any level of collegiate or pro basketball to score 55-plus points in a game while playing every minute of the game.

Flau'jae Johnson | LSU

Gotta love this: Along with being a star for a really good LSU team, the 5-foot-10 guard is also a rapper. No, not an Internet rapper who gets 35 views on SoundCloud. Johnson has a huge following on Apple Music and even has songs that include rap legends such as Lil Wayne and Roy Woods. Johnson served as an opener for a Rod Wave concert in 2023. 

Diamond Johnson | Norfolk State

Gotta love this: If your first name is Diamond, you automatically have to make this list. Besides having maybe, the coolest name in the sport, the 5-foot-8 guard does everything on the floor for Norfolk State, averaging 19 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.6 steals. Johnson's transfer from North Carolina State to Norfolk State, an HBCU, received plaudits from ESPN commentator Arielle Chambers.

Carla Viegas | Florida State

Gotta love this: After an elite showing at the U-17 World Championship in 2022, the 5-foot-9 guard was referred to as the best three-point shooter in the world. Better than Stephen Curry?! Viegas only averages 6.3 points for the Seminoles, but Florida State is 7-0 when she scores more than 10 points in a game.

Alyssa Durazo-Frescas | Grand Canyon

Gotta love this: The 5-foot-7 guard was deemed a "unicorn" during her high school playing days at Mater Dei High School in California. She even received comparisons to Larry Bird because of her dominant three-point shooting. The comparisons may not be far off, as she is second in college basketball in three-point shooting at 47% from deep. Frescas has made three or more three-pointers in 24 of Grand Canyon's 31 games this season.