Freshmen are going to play an important role in shaping the story of the women’s college basketball season. Some will help contenders reach their goals, others will be instrumental in upsets, and some that were glossed over by recruiting experts and scouting services will step into the spotlight for the first time.
The sample size is small, but the data is real. A handful of rookies have already proven in the opening days of the season that they’re more than capable of not just playing at the collegiate level, but shining bright and leading their teams to victories.
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Here’s six freshmen who have stood out so far.
Lena Girardi, Oklahoma State
The daughter of former MLB All-Star and World Series-winning manager Joe Girardi, Lena has started her college basketball career off by showing the sport that she’s a lethal threat from 3-point land. In her third collegiate game, she set the Cowgirls’ program record by sinking nine 3s in a single contest. On the season, she’s shooting 39.6 percent from deep range while also grabbing 4.2 rebounds per game. A four-star recruit from Florida, ESPN pegged her as the 56th best recruit in her class, but she’s quickly establishing herself as one of the top rookies in the nation.
Jazzy Davidson, USC
Davidson was a big reason why the Trojans were able to get an early statement win over N.C. State on Sunday in Charlotte, as she scored 18 of her 21 points in the second half, which included the game-winning layup. Tabbed as the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class by ESPN, Davidson lived up to the hype when the lights were their brightest. On the season, she’s also averaging 4.5 points, four assists, three blocks and two steals per game. For her efforts, Davidson was the first this season to garner the USBWA’s National Freshman of the Week award.
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Blair Baugus, Middle Tennessee State
A rookie from Waynesboro, Tennessee, Baugus was the only freshman in the country this season to begin her collegiate career by posting back-to-back double-doubles in two starts. In a pair of victories for the Blue Raiders, the 6-foot-1 forward tallied 10 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks against Tennessee State, and then collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and three assists against Saint Louis. Baugus leads all freshman in CUSA in scoring, rebounding, steals, blocks and minutes.
Jasmine Nivar, Campbell
The Camels narrowly fell on the road at Tulane in their season-opener, but the younger sister of UNC’s Indya Nivar shined, totaling 20 points, seven rebounds, a steal and an assist in 33 minutes. Nivar — one of just two mid-major players named to the USBWA’s Tamika Catchings Award watchlist this week — is the first Campbell player to score at least 20 points in her collegiate debut. Nivar has been a starter in all three of Campbell’s games so far this season and is averaging 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
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Addi Mack, Maryland
Shorthanded due the absences of Bri McDaniel, Mir McLean and Kaylene Smikle, Mack helped the Terps hold off an upset bid from Georgetown on Sunday by scoring 17 of her team-leading 23 points in the fourth quarter. A 5-foot-9 guard from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mack has the look of someone who can provide a punch off the bench and valuable depth to Maryland’s backcourt in her rookie season.
Lara Somfai, Stanford
One of four ESPN top 100 recruits brought in by second-year head coach Kate Paye this season, Somfai has shined the brightest among them so far this season, averaging 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game through three wins for the Cardinal. So far, she’s the only freshman from a Power 4 conference to post multiple double-doubles this year. If the Cardinal get back to the NCAA Tournament this season, Somfai’s performances will likely be a crucial ingredient to them achieving that success.
