Sports
The Athletic’s women’s college basketball All-America team
(Correction: An earlier version of this article included an incorrect order on our All-America teams. Paige Bueckers is a member of The Athletic’s All-America first team, and Ta’Niya Latson is a second-team All-America selection.)
With the regular season in the rearview, The Athletic’s team of dedicated writers and contributors got together to take stock of everything they’ve witnessed since November and made some tough decisions about the best of the best in an impressive year of hoops. Some of their preseason predictions came true as four preseason All-America members were also on the season-end first-team.
But two big surprises they didn’t see coming? Two freshmen who have been steadying forces on their respective teams and played their way onto the second team in a very deep year in women’s college hoops.
The committee — Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman, Zena Keita and Mark Schindler — each ranked their top 10 players, and totals were tallied to determine this season’s year-end accolades.
(Stats as of March 2)
First team
JuJu Watkins, USC
Sophomore wing
Stats: 24.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.1 spg, 2.0 bpg
The fact that the race for national player of the year was undecided until the penultimate day of the season, and that finally — on the last day — the choice became unanimously Watkins, says a lot about the sophomore’s ability to rise to the biggest moments of the year. Her 30 points, five assists, two steals and three blocks in the Big Ten regular season championship game against UCLA ultimately gave her the final edge over Lauren Betts.
Watkins showed what we’ve seen from her all season. A scorer’s mentality. A defensive playmaker. An acute awareness of how much her team needs her on the floor (after picking up her third foul in the early parts of the second quarter, she didn’t foul again through the rest of the game). Last season, as a freshman, Watkins proved herself as the best first-year player in America. This season, you can remove any qualifier. She was the best player. Full stop.
Cheryl Miller 🤝 JuJu Watkins
Miller HYPED with JuJu’s big night 🙌
(via @CBBonFOX)
pic.twitter.com/RzyT8XKIeM— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 2, 2025
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Junior center
Stats: 19.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.8 bpg
Only four power conference players in the past decade have averaged 19-plus points, nine-plus rebounds and 2.5-plus assists through a full season: Napheesa Collier, Aerial Powers, Nia Coffey … and now Betts. It’s not bad company to keep. In her second year with UCLA, Betts was the main reason the Bruins maintained the No. 1 ranking the majority of the season, and her dominance in the paint is also the Bruins’ best shot at a national title. An elite rim protector, defensive magnet who creates greater space and freedom for her teammates and one of the nation’s top offensive rebounders — Betts proved her value daily for UCLA.
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Sophomore guard
Stats: 24.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.6 spg
Few players, if any, can stat-stuff like Hidalgo. She’s an improved 3-point shooter and for the second consecutive year, she lights up opponents on offense and disrupts them on defense. She is first nationally in defensive win shares and leads the ACC in win shares for the second time in two seasons. Her production is integral to everything the Irish achieve, and a big reason Notre Dame will certainly be a top-two seed for the second consecutive year. Hidalgo may have another All-American playing alongside her in Olivia Miles as well as another likely 2025 first-round WNBA draft pick (Sonia Citron), but Hidalgo is also a force unto herself. She is smart enough to bring out the best in her teammates, yet skilled enough to take over games when the situation warrants.
Paige Bueckers, UConn
Fifth-year senior guard
Stats: 18.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.9 apg, 2 spg
After her (in all likelihood) final regular-season game in Gampel Pavilion, Bueckers was inducted into the Huskies’ Ring of Honor and added to UConn’s impressive list of national players of the year (honoring her freshman season), marking the near end of a remarkable college career. She adds yet another All-America honor to her resume. Bueckers’ hallmark — her clutch scoring gene — was on display this season as she ranked among the top 20 players nationally in points per play (1.17), but she was also the only player in the country in major hoops to average better than a 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio this season.
Madison Booker, Texas
Sophomore wing
Stats: 16.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.6 spg
One of the best freshman classes in recent memory has only gotten better as sophomores, with Watkins and Hidalgo reprising their 2024 All-America campaigns and Booker joining them on this year’s first team. Now in her natural position on the wing with the return of point guard Rori Harmon, Booker has been a more efficient scorer and impactful defender in her second season. She is the No. 1 option for the SEC champs, on track to capture her second conference player of the year award. Booker has also been emboldened to attack the offensive glass without as many playmaking responsibilities, and it follows that the Longhorns are second in the country in second-chance points.
Second team
Aneesah Morrow, LSU
Senior forward
Stats: 17.8 ppg, 14.1 rpg, 2.6 spg
The double-double queen has had at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in 26 of her 30 games this season and is leading the country in offensive rebounds and total boards. Despite being undersized as a power forward, Morrow has held up as a four in the SEC and even played a significant amount of center for the Tigers thanks to her motor and quickness. She is 19th nationally in total steals, fueling a top-10 LSU defense and jump-starting the Tigers in transition.
Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State
Junior guard
Stats: 26.0 ppg, 4.8 apg, 4.6 rpg
Latson is one of the nation’s most prolific offensive players. She led the NCAA in scoring, becoming one of just two players to have multiple performances against opponents of at least 20 points and seven assists. Despite being 5-foot-8, Latson is fearless in attacking the basket. She draws 6.4 fouls per game, which leads the nation. Latson is the engine in Florida State’s high-scoring attack, and her greatness has been on display throughout the season. Just last week against Notre Dame, Latson played the best of any All-American in the game, finishing with 23 points, nine assists and five rebounds in the Seminoles’ upset road win. Her game winner against North Carolina in late January is one of the highlights of the season.
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame
Senior guard
Stats: 16.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 6.0 apg, 41.3 3-pt FG%
Miles was arguably the country’s best passer before tearing her ACL, capable of manipulating the defense in the half court and in transition with brute force and flair. She added an elite jump shot to her offensive arsenal this season, hitting 41.3 percent of her 3s while still connecting on 70 percent of her attempts in the restricted area. She might be the most complete offensive guard in Division I with her combo of passing and scoring, and she helms one of the most devastating offenses heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Sarah Strong, UConn
Freshman forward
Stats: 16.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.3 spg, 1.5 bpg
Since 2009, the only player to ever have a 15-point, eight-rebound, three-assist season as a freshman is Strong. She was one of two players to start every game for the Huskies this season, and her ability to impact every facet of the game made her a critical part of UConn’s success this year. The 6-2 forward was remarkably poised in big moments, and proved versatile as a consistent scorer, averaging 9.4 points a game in the paint while shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc.
Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt
Freshman guard
Stats: 23.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 45.7 FG%
It didn’t even take a full season for Blakes to arrive in Nashville and change the Commodores’ trajectory. From her first game in college, she proved to be a difference-maker by scoring 23 points in only 25 minutes. From there, Blakes routinely has proven to be one of the nation’s most dynamic players. The high point of Blakes’ season (so far) was a 55-point outing against Auburn in which she set the NCAA all-time freshman single-game scoring record. The performance was also her second 50-piece of the season, as she had scored 53 against Florida on Jan. 30. Blakes became the first NCAA freshman and the fourth NCAA Division I player since 1999-2000 to record multiple 50-point games in the same season. She led the SEC in offensive win shares, an especially impressive feat considering the conference’s depth.
(Illustration:
Sports
John Daly calls himself a ‘jacka–‘ after falling down desert hill during tournament
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Golf great John Daly shared a hilarious moment that may have been more serious after watching a video he posted on social media, calling himself a “jacka–” in the process.
Daly was in desert terrain at the La Paloma Country Club for the Cologuard Classic, when he was trying to hit a shot onto a green when he lost his footing.
As he tried to gain traction in the sand, Daly’s feet fell from under him, and he slid down a long desert hill. Multiple people got involved, voluntarily jumping down the hill to see if Daly was all right.
John Daly of the United States plays a tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Cologuard Classic 2026 at La Paloma Country Club on March 21, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Daly left unscathed, but he did enjoy putting the theme music to the “Jackass” franchise over the video to share to the masses.
“Bellyfloppin’ in the desert,” Daly captioned the video, while shouting out his caddie, Joel Cooley, who sprang to action to see if his partner was doing fine at the bottom of the hill.
“On today’s episode of ‘jacka**’” was also seen on top of the video.
BROOKS KOEPKA RUNS TO COMFORT YOUNG GILR HIT BY GOLF CART DURING HIS VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP
While he doesn’t usually show off his bellyflopping, Daly remains a key figure in golf.
John Daly of the United States plays his second shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Cologuard Classic 2026 at La Paloma Country Club on March 20, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
He spends most of his time on the course for the Champions Tour, which is former PGA Tour players 50 years and older. His most recent round came on Sunday, where he finished tied for 29th with a 6-under tournament in the Cologuard Classic.
Daly was just named the 2026 Ambassador of Golf Award honoree ahead of the Kaulig Companies Championship at the signature Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. The award recognizes those making an impact on the course as well as in their communities off the course.
“I’ve always loved this game and what it’s given me,” he said in a press release for the award. “Golf has taken me places I never imagined and introduced me to incredible people along the way. To be recognized with the Ambassador of Golf Award is truly an honor, and I’m proud to support the meaningful work being done here in Northeast Ohio.”
John Daly hits his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the PNC Championship 2025 at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on Dec. 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Daly’s impact on the sport is quite iconic, whether it’s his monstrous drives from the tee box, winning the 1991 PGA Championship as the ninth alternate in the field, or taking home The Open Championship in 1995 at St. Andrews, forever marking himself as a multi-time major winner.
His larger-than-life personality has always been on display, even today in silly moments like these on and off the course.
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Sports
Lauren Betts scores career-high 35 as UCLA powers past Oklahoma State and into Sweet 16
There were always going to be tears. In the final game at Pauley Pavilion for six UCLA seniors, it was going to be a stunning defeat or a cathartic release before the next step in the NCAA tournament mission.
It was the latter, as the decorated group of Bruins took their final stroll around the perimeter of the court and waved to the fans, tears glistening and smiles wide.
The top-seeded Bruins led wire-to-wire, beating No. 8-seed Oklahoma State 87-68 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Monday night to advance to the Sweet 16. The Bruins will face No. 4 seed Minnesota on Friday in Sacramento.
One of UCLA’s seniors, Lauren Betts, put together the best game of her career with 35 points while shooting 15 of 19 at the moment her team needed it most.
“That’s really cool,” Betts said. “I mean, I can’t deny, like, that is really cool. I feel like the points, they really don’t mean anything to me. To me, like, I really just want to win games with this team. The fact that we won today is what matters most to me, and that we’re moving on to the Sweet 16.”
UCLA center Lauren Betts fends off Oklahoma State players while shooting in the paint during the Bruins’ win in the second round of the NCAA tournament Monday at Pauley Pavilion.
(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
While UCLA (33-1) started much better than it did in the opening-round game, there were still elements to nitpick. The Bruins were outscored 21-18 in the third quarter, Oklahoma State (24-10) won the offensive rebounding battle and outside of Betts, the offense fell flat at points in the second half.
But with arguably the best post player in the country, the Bruins could overcome all of that, get their final Pauley moment and advance. It was the last time Gabriela Jaquez, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Angela Dugalic and Betts will play on UCLA’s home floor.
“I cannot wrap my head around that it was the last time,” said Jaquez, who had 10 points and seven rebounds. “That effort from Lauren, too. I’m super proud of her doing that tonight.”
UCLA has arguably the deepest lineup in the country, with four of its five starters averaging double-digit scoring and six WNBA draft hopefuls, but when the Bruins needed a scoring boost, the squad turned to Betts.
Betts scored 11 consecutive UCLA points in the last four minutes of the third quarter to put the Bruins back ahead by 19 while the rest of the offense went cold.
After building a commanding lead in the first half, they survived the lull.
“I think we just learned our lesson,” Betts said. “We don’t want another halftime with Coach Cori [Close] walking in there. We’re trying to avoid that at all costs. I think it starts defensively. Like, we’re going to score. Obviously, we know that. But I think just being the aggressors and taking things away is a really big point that we wanted to make this game.”
UCLA did apply early pressure, jumping out to an 11-2 lead while the Cowgirls went the final 4:26 of the first quarter without scoring, going 0-for-8 from the field during that span. UCLA turned that into a 25-point lead and was up 46-26 at halftime.
UCLA guard Kiki Rice, left, fights for the ball with Oklahoma State forward Achol Akot during the Bruins’ win Monday.
(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
It was an inverse of the slow start against California Baptist on Saturday, when the Bruins held a measly 10-point lead at the half over the No. 16 seed.
“That was one of the takeaways after last game, everyone saw that,” said Leger-Walke, who had six points and a team-high eight assists. “We know that we play our best when we come out and hit first and be aggressive and take the game to them and not let it come to us.”
The Cowgirls shot 51.4% from the field in the second half to stay within striking distance. But Oklahoma State’s leading scorer, Achol Akot (23 points), had four fouls by the start of the fourth quarter and had to spend much of the final period on the bench.
“Each time you get further and further in [the NCAA tournament,] teams are gonna get better and better,” said Rice, who scored 10 points. “So they came out in the second half fighting. We expected that. We knew that, but got some tough shots and just got to be able to weather the storm.”
Kneepkens, who finished with 15 points, made a couple of key shots in the fourth quarter to help revive the Bruins’ shooting, but it was still Betts’ dominant showing that kept UCLA well ahead. Of UCLA’s 87 points, 50 came in the paint.
UCLA’s next opponent, the Golden Gophers (24-8) advanced on a buzzer beater against No. 5 seed Ole Miss on Sunday. The Bruins beat Minnesota 76-58 on the road during conference play earlier this season.
“They’re very confident,” Close said of Minnesota. “I fully expect it to be a great battle.”
The Bruins have to win four games before they could claim the first NCAA title in program history, and the road there only gets tougher. First it’s Minnesota, then a potential matchup with LSU or Duke for the regional title. Formidable No. 1 seeds Texas, South Carolina and UConn still loom on other portions of the bracket.
There is little time to reflect with such a perilous path ahead, but on Monday, there was the first sense of finality.
“My arm still hurts [from waving,]” Jaquez said with a laugh as she recalled acknowledging fans. “But I didn’t want to miss anybody.”
Sports
Giants valued at $10.8B as Tisch family seeks equity transfer with Epstein investigation looming: report
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As New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and his siblings look to transfer an equity stake to a children’s trust, the overall value of the franchise has been revealed.
An NFL memo obtained by ESPN earlier this month found the Tisch family — Steve, Jonathan and Laurie — are seeking a transfer of their collective equity stake in the franchise to their children. The proposed stake was 23.1% of the team.
The proposed transfer of equity values the team at $10.8 billion, according to Sports Business Journal, which would put a 23.1% stake at roughly $2.5 billion.
New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch arrives for NFL owners meetings in New York City, New York on Oct. 21, 2025. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
For comparison, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross sold 1% of his team to billionaire entrepreneur Lin Bin with the valuation at a record $12.5 billion.
Julia Koch, a board member with Koch Industries, also bought a 10% stake in the Giants with a valuation at $10.3 billion in October 2025.
GIANTS CO-OWNER STEVE TISCH, SIBLINGS LOOK TO TRANSFER EQUITY STAKE TO CHILDREN’S TRUSTS, NFL MEMO SHOWS
It’s also worth noting that the NFL memo stated, “Following the transactions, the Sellers will no longer own any interest in the Club.”
It is unknown if the transfer requests have anything to do with Steve Tisch’s name appearing in the Epstein files released by the U.S. Justice Department in January. His name appeared more than 400 times in the files, and while he said at the time he knew of Epstein, he denied visiting Epstein’s infamous island.
Steve Tisch executive vice president of the New York Giants looks on before pre-season football game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 18, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments,” Steve Tisch said in a statement on Jan. 31. “I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”
The U.S. Justice Department released more than 3 million documents related to the Epstein investigation, which included email exchanges from April 2013 and June 2013 between Tisch and Epstein. Some of those exchanges appear to show conversations about women.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in February the league would look into Steve Tisch’s association with Epstein.
“Absolutely we will look at all the facts,” Goodell said at a news conference in San Jose, California, during Super Bowl week. “We’ll look at the context of those and try to understand that. We’ll look at how that falls under the (league personal conduct) policy. I think we’ll take one step at a time. Let’s get the facts first.”
New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch during warms up prior to the National Football League game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants on Oct. 28, 2018 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Tisch family has been involved in Giants ownership since 1991 alongside the Mara family, which founded the franchise in 1925.
Fox News’ Chantz Martin and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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