The latest women’s college basketball player of the week has been announced, showcasing some exceptional talent on the court. This recognition highlights outstanding performances during Week 17 of the season.
**Top Honors**
Audi Crooks from Iowa State emerged as the national player of the week. The sophomore center delivered spectacular performances, averaging 32.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in victories over Central Florida and the 14th-ranked Kansas State. Her standout moment came against the Wildcats, where she scored a season-high 36 points, hitting 14 out of 18 field goals. Crooks wrapped up her conference play by maintaining a remarkable shooting accuracy of 75% or better in back-to-back games.
**Notable Contenders**
In the runner-up position, Duke player Toby Fournier made a significant impression. The freshman forward achieved a career-high of 28 points in a victorious effort against the then-24th ranked Florida State. This performance followed a solid game against their rival North Carolina, where she posted 19 points and 10 rebounds. Fournier demonstrated precision shooting with a 54.5% success rate in her matchup against the then-No. 8 Tar Heels.
**Special Mentions**
Honorable mentions go to several talented players: Kitty Henderson from Columbia, Makayla Timpson from Florida State, and JuJu Watkins from USC, all of whom displayed noteworthy performances worthy of acknowledgment.
**Up-and-Coming Star**
Keep an eye on sophomore forward Caia Elisaldez from Chattanooga, who played a critical role in helping her team secure the No. 2 seed in the Southern Conference Tournament. She averaged 18.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in the final two regular-season games and recorded an 18-point, 8-assist outing in an overtime loss to Furman.
The performances of these athletes are being closely watched as the season progresses, offering excitement and anticipation for what’s to come in women’s college basketball.
