NCAAW: South Carolina dominated, Caitlin Clark made history in 2024

Women’s college basketball continued its rapid cultural ascent in 2024, propelled not only by the history-making exploits of Caitlin Clark but also by the domination of South Carolina and the arrival of a new crop of stars, headlined by JuJu Watkins.

2024 saw the culmination of an epic 2023-24 season and the start of what promises to be an exciting 2024-25 season. Revisit some of the best moments with Swish Appeal:

South Carolina’s perfect revenge

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South Carolina not only lost in the 2023 Final Four, but also lost what was thought to be their championship core. What remained in Columbia, in fact, was the deepest, most talented team of head coach Dawn Staley’s tenure.

With a signature Staley defense, newly-electric offense and two-way interior force in Kamilla Cardoso, the Gamecocks did not simply avenge the disappointment of the season prior, but they did so with authority, finishing a perfect 38-0.

Caitlin Clark changed the game

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What didn’t Caitlin Clark do during her final season of college basketball? Not much. She became a cultural phenomenon whose popularity and influence exceeded the boundaries of the hardwood.

But on the court, she continued to do some pretty impressive stuff, headlined by becoming the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball history and leading Iowa back to the national title game.

Here comes JuJu!

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Transcendent stars, however, might be the new norm in women’s college basketball. JuJu Watkins, certainly, is next in line, a status she announced from the moment that she set foot on the Southern California campus.

And one she confirmed when she dropped 51 points on Stanford in Palo Alto.

Since then, Watkins’ star has only more rapidly risen, cementing her status as one of the faces of the sport.

Paige, UConn continue quest

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Injuries have interrupted what was expected to be a historic UConn career for Paige Bueckers, with national titles supposed to restock the trophy cases in Storrs. Yet when she’s been healthy, not many—if any—players have been better than Bueckers. Having returned for her (final?) super senior season, Bueckers is on a mission to capture the championship that will place her name among UConn’s roster of greats.

Game changers for 2025

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The first months of the 2024-25 season has revealed a women’s college basketball landscape overflowing with talent that should inspire increasing interest.

We’ve seen familiar faces thriving in new places.

Some legendary programs are attempting to again approach lofty heights.

New stars are making their names.

And already established stars have certified their excellence.