Ohio State Brings Back 8 Players to the Great Women’s Basketball Team

Ohio State brings back 8 players to an already very good women’s basketball team. When you factor in that the Lady Buckeyes got three great recruits, the upcoming season is looking rosy for the Lady Buckeyes. That said, the team is ranked at number 18 in the preseason poll. They do have the opportunity to rise with tough games against Connecticut, Ole Miss, Texas, and Stanford. All of those teams are highly ranked; South Carolina is ranked first.

The only major departure for the Lady Buckeyes is Chance Gray, who now plays for the Los Angeles Sparks. That said, the Lady Buckeyes have a lot of power returning. First-team All-Big Ten point guard Jaloni Cambridge is the best player for the Lady Buckeyes. Her sister, redshirt senior guard Kennedy Cambridge, was a finalist for conference Defensive Player of the Year and is also back. Do you think the Lady Buckeyes will end ranked higher than number 20?

Ohio State Women’s Basketball Preview

Ohio State Women’s Basketball will be interesting to watch this season. They are a second-tier team that has the potential to be much better. The Lady Buckeyes return 8 starters, just about the entire team, and have three high-powered recruits. That mix has head coach Kevin McGuff optimistic, with a challenging set of games. In this article, we will set the roster, including the recruits, and relay the top Women’s Basketball teams in the nation. The Lady Buckeyes are not alone; there are several teams in the Big Ten Conference ranked in the top 25.

Ohio State Women’s Basketball 2026 Roster

Most of the players for Ohio State are back. The only real loss for the Lady Buckeyes is Chance Gray. The returning players start with Jaloni and Kennedy Cambridge; these are two of the best players on the team. Other guards include Atlee Vanesko, Ava Watson, and Bryn Martin. The forwards are Sydney Mobley,
Kylee Kitts, Ella Hobbs, Seini Henry (#15), Adriana Díaz (#29). The center is Elsa Lemmilä. She is likely to get a lot of playing time.

Top 25 Women’s Basketball Teams

Here is a look at the 2026-7 Women’s College Basketball rankings.

1. South Carolina (36-4)
   Junior forward Joyce Edwards highlights a loaded roster that includes Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-7 sophomore who played in 20 games last season. Fifth-year forward Chloe Kitts, the 2025 SEC tournament MVP, is expected back from a torn ACL. This team just reloads.
2. UConn (38-1)
   The perennial power Connecticut, led by Sarah Strong, the reigning National Player of the Year. Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have left. They were number 1 picks in the last two WNBA drafts.
3. Duke (27-9)
   The Blue Devils have back three starters and nine players overall after reaching the Elite Eight and winning the ACC Tournament and regular season titles. This is a team to watch
4. USC (18-14)
   Getting back junior forward JuJu Watkins, the 2025 National Player of the Year, from an emotional torn ACL. Sophomore guard Jazzy Davidson was the only player in Division I to lead her team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks. She is a triple-double waiting to happen.
5. Michigan (28-7)
   The rival to Ohio State is now the second team from the Big Ten Conference in the top four. The Wolverines will be led by Junior guards Olivia Olson and Syla Swords. Graduate guard Courtney Ogden transferred from Stanford after averaging 12.9 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, and could lead Michigan to their first-ever Final Four.
6. Louisville (29-8)
   This is the team that most benefited from the Transfer Portal. The best of the bunch is Junior guard Zamareya Jones (NC State) posted career highs in points (14.9), rebounds (3.3), and assists (3.8) last season.
7. Texas (35-4)
   The Longhorns, who made the Final Four in the last two seasons, are led by Madison Booker. The senior forward is a three-time first-team All-America selection and was SEC Player of the Year in 2025.
8. Iowa (27-7): The former team of Caitlin Clark is deep and talented. McKenna Woliczko is the highest-rated recruit for the Hawkeyes since Clark. The freshman guard, along with transfer guard Dani Carnegie (Georgia), is expected to alleviate some of the scoring burden from junior forward Ava Heiden.
9. North Carolina (28-8)
   National High School Player of the Year Kate Harpring will be the centerpiece for the Tar Heels. Senior forward Nyla Harris is the top returning scorer (11.4 points).
10. LSU (29-6)
    Guards Mikayala Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley are part of a deep backcourt for the Tigers. Guard play is so essential for basketball teams. They added transfer guard Jada Williams (Iowa State) before Coach Kim Mulkey announced center Kate Koval would be leaving for personal reasons.
11. UCLA (37-1)
12. Vanderbilt (29-5)
13. TCU (32-6)
14. Notre Dame (25-11)
15. Oklahoma State (24-10)
16. Ole Miss (24-11)
17. Washington (22-11)
18. Minnesota (24-9)
19. Kentucky (25-11)
20. Ohio State (27-8)
21. Maryland (24-9)
22. Illinois (22-12)
23. Arizona State (24-11)
24. Nebraska (19-13)
25. Rice (29-6)
    

Conclusion: Tough Road Ahead for the Lady Buckeyes

The Ohio State women’s basketball team has a difficult schedule. Not only do they play Connecticut, Ole Miss, Texas, and Stanford, but there are 9 teams from the Big Ten Conference, including Ohio State, in the poll. That makes for a difficult schedule for the Lady Buckeyes. However, the schedule does allow them to prove themselves against good competition.