The NCAA tournament (also referred to as March Madness) is one of the most exciting times in sports. Fans fill out their brackets and as the tournament progresses, they keep up with their brackets and see how they did.
This year’s tournaments (men and women) have been a whirlwind full of bracket busting teams advancing to the next round. And, there have been some exceptional players leading their teams to victory. Here are the top five players still playing in the NCAA tournament.
1.) Caitlin Clark, Iowa Hawkeyes
Caitlin Clark is one of the most talked about players in the tournament, especially after her last performance. Clark posted the first 40-point triple-double in Division I NCAA Tournament history in a win over Louisville. Clark finished the game with 41 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. That performance was also her fifth triple-double this season.
Another interesting thing about Clark is that she is the first player in Division I history (men’s or women’s) to have 900 points and 300 assists in a single season. Clark and Iowa are headed to the Final Four and will soon find out their next opponent before Friday’s game.
2.) Angel Reese, LSU Tigers
Things are working out for Angel Reese at LSU. After playing for Maryland in her first two seasons, Reese transferred to LSU in May 2022. And since then, she has had her best collegiate season.
Reese averages 23.2 points, 15.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists (all of which are career highs). In her most recent game, she finished with a double-double of 13 points and 18 rebounds. In fact, Reese did a bit of everything, as she had four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Like Iowa, LSU is waiting for their Final Four opponent and will find out before Friday.
3.) Aliyah Boston, South Carolina Gamecocks
Aliyah Boston is no stranger to winning. She won several awards last season including Naismith College Player of the Year, Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player of the Year and more. Boston played a big role in South Carolina’s championship win last season.
This season, Boston averages 12.9 points and 9.8 rebounds. Even in games where she is not scoring (like her last game of eight points and 14 rebounds), her presence is felt. She is tough in the post and her defense gives teams trouble. So, no matter what, she makes an impact.
Boston and South Carolina will be taking on Maryland for a Final Four spot.
4.) Diamond Miller, Maryland Terra
Diamond Miller is having an excellent year. She averages 19.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals. It is safe to say she wants to end her college career on a high note as this year (her fourth year) has been her best year stats wise. She has played well throughout the tournament, and in her last game, she finished with 18 points, five rebounds, four steals, two blocks and two assists.
Miller will look to lead her team past South Carolina for a chance at reaching the Final Four. And chances are, it will be a great game.
5.) Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech Hokies
Elizabeth Kitley is a 6-foot-6 senior who averages a double-double. She averages 18.0 points and 10.7 rebounds, and has played a significant role in Virginia Tech’s success. In their last outing, Kitley had 12 points and eight rebounds as they beat Tennessee. And with Ohio State coming up, the Hokies will need another solid game from her.
The Final Four is almost set, and as some of the Elite Eight matchups wrap up, these players will be key to their teams success.
