The NCAA is having a blast right now with the top teams going neck and neck.

While UConn still carries its unbeaten status and South Carolina wins back its momentum, there are teams making statements in the paint. Oklahoma or Vanderbilt – you name it.

The domestic names are buzzing around; however, we can’t ignore the hustle that international players are putting in.

Here are the top 5 names that are making it big this season

Madina Okot

The 6’6 Center from Kenya is a key asset in Dawn Staley’s squad, and she keeps averaging 14.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. The South Carolina Gamecocks are keeping a flawless 20-2 record after handing a 103-74 upset to the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Okot hooped 17 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and 5 steals. And she has shot 88.9% from the field while holding up for 20 minutes on the paint.

Okot brings her FIBA experience and rebounding efficiencies to the SEC. Her 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket qualifiers stats were 9.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per game. And that should make the Gamecocks happy that she’s getting baskets for them and not against.

Jana El Alfy

The UConn Huskies are rightfully unstoppable this season. With names like Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd, and KK Arnold in the roster, it shouldn’t be surprising. However, the tone setter for UConn’s NCAA championship in 2025 was Center 8’ Jana El Alfy, the first-ever Egyptian player to join UConn. This season, she’s managing 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Jana was the top scorer at the 2023 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, averaging 21.4 points and 11 rebounds per game. UConn is 10 games away from winning the title, and we might get to see more of Jana as a scorer with time.

Kate Koval

The Ukrainian star was the threat that the Texas A&M Aggies couldn’t see coming. On Friday night, 23^rd January, Koval dished out 15 points and 5 rebounds in 18 minutes.

She’s averaging 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 58.5 FG% this season for the LSU Tigers. But the Tiger 13’ showed what a game-changer she was in the LSU-Alabama showdown on 29^th December, 2025.

The LSU Forward racked up a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds while being on the court for 23 minutes. Koval hit the 7^th double-double in her career in that match, and there’s certainly more to come.

The Tigers are on a 4-game winning streak now and will go against the Florida Gators on the 27th.

Blanca Quiñonez

Yet another on the Huskies’ side. Quiñonez joined the program in 2025 April after having a successful international career in Ecuador. She has been averaging 10.7 points and 3.4 rebounds at UConn.

In the recent game against the Seton Hall Pirates, the 4’ slated up 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 77.8% from the field.

UConn is scheduled to play the Xavier Musketeers on the 29^th. About time we get more of the Ecuadorian flavour on the paint.

Agot Makeer

Agot Makeer is the all-arounder who is adding flavours to Dawn Staley’s roster. Playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Makeer got the space covered, opponents guarded, shots blocked and hoops secured.

The 6’1 Guard has joined the program in 2025 and has been averaging 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Makeer poured in 8 baskets and 2 rebounds in the latest Vanderbilt 103-74 upset. The next showdown will be against the Auburn Tigers on January 30^th. That will tell us what more this Canadian star has got.

Which one of these stars got you hooked the best?

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu