Conference play is officially underway in Division I women’s basketball, which means it’s time for the rubber to truly hit the road for programs with NCAA Tournament aspirations. It’s also a critical period when it comes to evaluating how WNBA Draft-eligible players may perform at the next level. With the increased level of competition and familiarity between conference rivals, it’s a great opportunity for those with professional aspirations to show what they’re made of. Let’s review a few players who have the most to gain from strong conference play in the coming months.
Jessika Carter (Mississippi State Bulldogs)
2023-24 statistics: 14.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game
It’s Carter’s fifth season with Mississippi State, and she’s playing some of the best basketball of her collegiate career, averaging a double-double for the first time in a career-high 29.6 minutes per game. She has started SEC play strong, too, recording a massive 22-point, 19-rebound performance in a Bulldog win over Arkansas.
In the SEC, performances like these simply mean more. In arguably the most competitive and physical conference in Division I, just about every one of Carter’s games will be under the spotlight, especially those against bigger teams like South…
