The Naismith Player of the Year award is given every year to the player who is deemed to be the most outstanding player of the season. The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday.
A couple of players have emerged as the most likely candidates to win the award.
Naismith Player of the Year odds 2025
With March Madness underway, the odds for the Naismith Award are likely to change. However, the odds according to BetMGM are as follows for the top five players:
- UCLA C Lauren Betts (+100)
- Notre Dame G Hannah Hidalgo (+160)
- USC G JuJu Watkins (+225)
- UConn G Paige Bueckers (+10000)
- LSU F Aneesah Morrow (+12500)
Who is the favorite to win the Women's Naismith Player of the Year award?
Center Lauren Betts is the favorite to win the Naismith Award. As a member of the UCLA Bruins, she has led her team to an Elite Eight appearance in March Madness. The Bruins are scheduled to take on the LSU Tigers on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. She has averaged 20.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.9 blocks per game this season.
The other two realistic contenders for the award are Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and USC's JuJu Watkins. USC is in the Elite Eight, but Notre Dame was eliminated in the Sweet 16 of March Madness. Hidalgo averaged 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.7 steals per game this season. Watkins is averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
Betting insights for the 2025 women's Naismith Player of the Year
Fans interested in betting on this award should only consider the top three contenders, Lauren Betts, Hannah Hidalgo and JuJu Watkins. They are far and away the most likely players to win the award. Additionally, it is important to keep an eye on the results of March Madness.
Hidalgo is someone fans might look to avoid wagering on. Since her Notre Dame squad was eliminated from the tournament early, voters might be less likely to vote for her. Whoever makes it further between Watkins and Betts will have an edge for the award.
Naismith Player of the Year Award winners last 5 years
After two straight seasons where the Naismith Award was given to Caitlin Clark, there will be a new award winner this season. These are the five most recent winners of the award.
- 2024: Caitlin Clark, Iowa
- 2023: Caitlin Clark, Iowa
- 2022: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
- 2021: Paige Bueckers, UConn
- 2020: Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
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