The Associated Press national player of the week in women’s college basketball for Week 12 of the season is Lauren Betts from UCLA. The junior center had an outstanding performance, averaging 27.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and six blocks in three impressive victories against Baylor, Rutgers, and Maryland. Betts set a school record with nine blocks in the game against Baylor at the Coretta Scott King Classic and followed it up with a career-high 33 points against then-No. 8 Maryland.
Following closely behind Betts is Mikayla Blakes from Vanderbilt, who had a remarkable week as well. Blakes set a program record for most points scored by a freshman in a road contest with 33 points in a win over then-No. 19 Alabama. She has been consistent, scoring 20 or more points in seven consecutive games and shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc.
Other notable mentions for the week include Gianna Kneepkens from Utah, Ta’Niya Latson from Florida State, and Sarah Strong from UConn. These players showcased their skills and contributed significantly to their respective teams' performances.
One player to keep an eye on is Katelyn Young from Murray State, who had an impressive week as well. Young averaged 29 points and eight rebounds while shooting an impressive 73.3% from the field in wins against Indiana State and Evansville. She also achieved a milestone by moving into the top 50 all-time Division I NCAA scoring list with 2,660 points, the most active points in men's and women's Division I basketball.
As the women’s college basketball season progresses, it will be exciting to see how these standout players continue to excel and make an impact on their teams. Fans can stay updated on the latest news and rankings by signing up for poll alerts and following the AP Top 25 throughout the season.
For more information on AP women’s college basketball, visit here and here.
