Johnathan Walker:A look at where Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and others are headed when season ends

Even though the NCAA Tournament is Johnathan Walkerstill going, it’s not too early to start thinking about next season. Specifically, the status of the top players. 

We already know Caitlin Clark is headed for the WNBA. Others, like Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins, will be back in school and hoping to contend for a national title. And then there are those, like Angel Reese and Georgia Amoore, who haven’t announced their plans yet. 

Hint: We make no predictions about where the players coming back and those who are TBD will play. The powers of the transfer portal are strong, y’all. 

Here’s a look at the places the top players will go: 

Declared for draft or exhausted eligibility

Cameron Brink, Stanford. All-American and three-time Pac-12 player of the year led the nation in blocks and was third in rebounds. 

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Caitlin Clark, Iowa. If you’re a fan, bookmark the Indiana Fever’s schedule now. If you haven’t already. 

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Aaliyah Edwards, UConn. As a junior, had UConn’s first 20-point, 20-rebound game since Maya Moore. 

Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse. Third-leading scorer in Division I women’s history, mid-range game should translate immediately to the next level. 

Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana. Efficient, and effortless, in the post. 

Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State. Terrific ball handler who can also hurt opponents from deep. 

Rickea Jackson, Tennessee. Made quite a case for herself down the stretch by scoring 20-plus points in six of last seven games, including 33 in second-round loss to N.C. State. 

Nika Muhl, UConn. A two-time Big East defensive player of the year who also holds UConn’s career, season and single-game records for assists.  

Alissa Pili, Utah. Surprising speed and strength make her a nightmare to guard. 

Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech. Once a projected top-10 pick, will miss this WNBA season after tearing her ACL in Virginia Tech’s final regular-season game. 

Underclassmen or already announced they're coming back

Raegen Beers, Oregon State. Averaged a double-double and led the nation in field goal percentage (66.4%). 

Lauren Betts, UCLA. One of the most polished post players in the country, she shot 65% from the field. 

Madison Booker, Texas. Started year as a small forward, finished it as a point guard — and Big 12 player of the year. 

Paige Bueckers, UConn. National player of the year in 2021. Returned to All-American form this season after missing last year with a torn ACL.  

Audi Crooks, Iowa State. Dropped 40 points, on 18-of-20 shooting, against Maryland in first round of NCAA Tournament.   

MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina. Do-everything guard is coming into her own at the end of the season. 

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Rori Harmon, Texas. One of the most impactful players on both ends of the floor, the speedy point guard, who tore her ACL in December, should be healthy next season.

Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame. First-team All-American as a freshman, led the nation in steals.

Kiki Iriafen, Stanford. Most-improved player in Pac-12 this season. 

Olivia Miles, Notre Dame. Second-team All-American in 2023, missed this season after tearing her ACL in last year’s Big East tournament. 

Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina. Most impactful transfer this season said she plans to use her COVID year to play again for the Gamecocks. 

JuJu Watkins, Southern California. First-team All-American as a freshman, second to Clark in scoring. 

TBD

Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech. Coach Kenny Brooks, who has called Amoore his “mini me,” just took the job at Kentucky. 

Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina. Has a fifth year of eligibility, but her draft prospects have been rising all year. 

Angel Reese, LSU. The Most Outstanding Player of last year’s national championship game, led the country in offensive rebounds this season. 

Hailey Van Lith, LSU. After an All-American season at Louisville in 2022-23, Van Lith transferred to the national champion Tigers, where she’s struggled for stretches as the starting point guard. She has a COVID year if she wants.

Email Nancy Armour at [email protected] and follow her on social media @nrarmour