Can Mikaylah Williams Silently Snatch the Top Freshman Seat From JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hildalgo?

With captivating performances in the season openers by the likes of Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame, JuJu Watkins of USC, and MiLaysia Fulwiley of South Carolina, freshmen have dominated the 2023–24 women’s collegiate basketball scene. Though not the only rising stars in the sport, those three have made a name for themselves. But they aren’t the only one.

After more than six weeks into the season, this year’s freshmen class hasn’t stopped shining. Some have raised their teams to new heights, while others have stepped up beyond expectations. All the while, this has increased anticipation for the next wave of players who are ready to dominate the sport. Is Mikaylah Willaims one of them?

Is Mikaylah Williams heading to the top?

The trio of JuJu Watkins, Hannaha Haldigo and MiLaysia Fulwiley have been carving their way to the top since the beginning of this season. The missing factor in this race was Mikalyah Willaims, the LSU player living under the shade of superstar Angel Reese. Williams, the No. 2 player in the class of 2023, has been a huge asset to the Lady Tigers. She has been a rock for LSU during its stormy first month of play when Kim Mulkey’s squad was facing toxic trolling over season-opener debacle and the suspension of their star player.

On the basketball floor, Williams is mature, takes everything in stride, and approaches her work with patience and vigor. She arrived at the university with a wealth of high-level expertise from USA Basketball, which she has used to get ahead of the freshmen pack.

She scored twenty points against Virginia Tech and seventeen against Colorado, setting team records. She had an incredible game against Kent State, scoring forty-two points (15 of 20 from the field). Not just for what she accomplishes, Williams stands out on a squad full of excellent players because of the manner in which she plays. The guard is anticipated to end the season with a 51.3% field goal percentage, 45.2% three-point shooting percentage, and 93.9% free throw percentage. But she has a long way to go still to outsmart JuJu Watkins.

Watkins has lived up to the hype. She was the top overall recruit in the class of 2023 and has propelled the Trojans into national prominence as USC has experienced its highest AP poll rating since 1994. On the other hand, Hidalgo’s debut captured attention in Paris. And back home, despite Notre Dame’s season-opening loss to South Carolina, her impressive stat line of 31 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals was matched by her fearlessness, which is something that freshmen don’t often possess naturally.

Read More: Defending the NCAA Title, Angel Reese’s LSU Tigers Continue Historic Streak

Mikaylah William’s basketball curve

Highly recognized as a five-star talent, Mikaylah Williams holds the distinguished distinction of being ranked first in her class by AGSR, Prospects Nation, and Jr. All-Star National Rankings. She demonstrated her extraordinary abilities at the guard position by leading Parkway High School to a state championship as a senior.

She was named the 2023 Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year and played in the McDonald’s All-America Game, demonstrating her prowess beyond the high school ranks. She was also asked to participate in the first Women’s Nike Hoop Summit and chosen for the Naismith High School All-America team. As the recipient of the USA Basketball 3×3 Athlete of the Year award, she has accumulated significant experience playing for Team USA.

Among her achievements is that she won the MVP award in the U17 World Cup in Hungary, helping the team win a gold medal. Additionally, she won gold at the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, demonstrating her ability in Hungary once more.

She was also recognized by the Independence Bowl Foundation as the 2022 Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year. She made an appearance in the BallIsLife All-America Game to continue her career. Apart from her remarkable global accomplishments, she also had a noteworthy influence on the home basketball landscape.

Her excellent performance in the BallIsLife All-America Game cemented her place among the nation’s best prospects even further. Her extraordinary abilities and commitment have also attracted the interest of other college recruiters, opening up a bright future in college basketball.

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Williams’ dedication to her craft has earned her the admiration of both her coaches and teammates. Her ability to seamlessly blend into the team dynamic while also standing out with her skills sets her apart as a valuable asset on the court. Additionally, her leadership qualities have quickly made her a trusted voice in team huddles and strategy sessions.