10 contenders for women's college basketball Player of the Year

Duke freshman Zion Williamson is the front-runner for national Player of the Year on the men's side — depending on preference of a specific award. But what about the women?

There is no shortage of talent in the women's game, and it's not just subjected to Connecticut or Notre Dame. In 2017-18, South Carolina's Aja Wilson swept all the major Player of the Year awards, but we might not see the same thing this season.

As we settle into the second half of the season, here are 10 women's contenders (in alphabetical order) who can take home at least one of the national Player of the Year awards for 2018-19.

Kristine Anigwe, F-C, California, Sr.

The 6-foot-4 Anigwe begins the week as the nation's leading rebounder (15.2 rebounds per game) and among its top scorers (22.7 points per game). Last month, Anigwe became the third player in Cal history to reach the 2,000-point mark. She's also scored at least 30 or more points twice this season.

Kalani Brown, C, Baylor, Sr.

Depending on who is doing the talking, Brown might have the biggest WNBA upside of anybody on this list. The daughter of longtime NBA player P.J. Brown and former Louisiana tech star Dee (Jackson) Brown, Kalani is a preseason All-American likely to be selected among the top five picks in this year's WNBA draft. Brown's elite talent was on display while scoring 22 points and pulling down 17 boards in a 68-57 win over then-No. 1 UConn on Jan. 3.

Napheesa Collier, F, Connecticut, Sr.

The first of two Huskies on our list, Collier earned third-team All-American honors from The Associated Press and was a member of the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team in 2017-18. This season, Collier averages a double-double of 18.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. She's also enjoyed success on the international level while coming up the ranks of Team USA.

Asia Durr, G, Louisville, Sr.

Durr is so beloved at Louisville that she has her own website. The consensus All-American is averaging 20.6 points and joined the 2,000-point club while scoring 31 against Central Michigan this season. Durr, who also scored 29 against Notre Dame this month, could end up being the top pick in the 2019 WNBA draft.

Megan Gustafson, F, Iowa, Sr.

Gustafson enters the week as the country's top scorer, averaging 26.2 points while also shooting a nation-leading 70.7 percent from the field — not to mention, Gustafson also ranks among the country's top rebounders (13.0 rpg). The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year's bio seems to go on forever; it's that impressive. It's probably a safe bet Gustafson will continue that success on the WNBA level.

Ruthy Hebard, F, Oregon, Jr.

Part of the Ducks' one-two star punch, Hebard earned the Katrina McClain Award as the nation's top power forward last season. She's likely to grab that honor again in 2018-19 while averaging 16.9 points and 9.1 rebounds. Hebard scored 34 points against Washington State and pulled down 18 rebounds vs. UCLA this month.

Sabrina Ionescu, G, Oregon, Jr.

She's the NCAA's all-time leader in career triple-doubles — men and women — and currently leads the country averaging 8.4 assists. Ionescu, who also averages 20.0 points, is arguably the college game's most complete talent and could very well forgo her senior to enter the WNBA draft, most likely if Las Vegas announces it is willing to take her with the No. 1 overall pick this year.

Teaira McCowan, C, Mississippi State, Sr.

At 6-foot-7, McCowan is one of the most talented interior players in the game and its top defender after claiming the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2017-18. She averages 17.3 points and 13.9 boards and has blocked 47 shots. Twice already this season, McCowan has recorded more than 20 rebounds in a game, including last week in a rout of South Carolina when she posted 26 points and 24 boards.

Arike Ogunbowale, G, Notre Dame, Sr.

This Fighting Irish Final Four hero is more than a two-shot star. It's hard to find a college player — men or women — who plays with more passion and love of the game than Ogunbowale. She's battling Louisville's Durr for the ACC scoring (21.5 points) lead, and posted 30 in Notre Dame's victory over the Cardinals this month.

Katie Lou Samuelson, G-F, Connecticut, Sr.

Like Cal's Anigwe and Louisville's Durr, Samuelson achieved the 2,000-point milestone this season. She's the 10th player in UConn history to accomplish that feat, which considering all the big names who have graced the court for the program, it's beyond impressive. The Huskies' leading scorer (18.9 ppg) and two-time first-team AP All-American is the closest thing to collegiate basketball royalty at the moment.