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Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse
2021-22 Stats (with Buffalo): 23.4 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.1 SPG
First off, we are going to start with Dyaisha Fair from Syracuse, a dynamic player who was one of the top-scoring guards in the country last season. Fair became well-known at the University of Buffalo in her first three seasons, twice earning a spot on the Mid-American Conference First Team and leading the Bulls to an NCAA Tournament berth last season. In Buffalo’s first-round loss to Tennessee last year, Fair scored 25 points to go along with five rebounds and seven assists.
Fair’s numbers across her three seasons at Buffalo are truly outstanding, averaging 23.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Last season, she led the MAC in points and free-throws made and was sixth in assists and steals per game. In terms of advanced stats, she was in the conference’s top five in player efficiency rating (PER), win shares, and offensive win shares.
Because Buffalo is in a smaller conference, she flew under the radar. Now that she is at Syracuse, she will likely receive the greater amount of attention that comes with playing in the ACC. She proved her worth in the MAC and is poised to have a major impact in the ACC.
Lauren Park-Lane, Seton Hall
2021-22 Stats: 18.4 PPG, 6.7 APG, 1.6 SPG
Next, we have Lauren Park-Lane from Seton Hall University, who was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list and the preseason All-Big East Team. The 5-foot-3 point guard ranked fifth in the country in assists per game last season, leading the Pirates to the WNIT championship game. A unanimous selection to the All-Big East First Team, Park-Lane was fourth in points per game, third in free throws made, and first in assists per game during conference play. She also ranked in the Big East’s top 10 in offensive win shares (fourth) and total win shares (10th). Now entering her senior season, Park-Lane looks to become one of the most well-known stars nationwide and help lead Seton Hall back to the NCAA Tournament, where it hasn’t been since the 2015-16 season.
Hayley Frank, Missouri
2021-22 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 46.2% 3P
Missouri’s Hayley Frank is a small forward who has steadily improved her game over the last three seasons. One the country’s best shooters, Frank was one of just two players in Division I last season to shoot at least 40% from the three, 50% from the field, and 80% from the free-throw line (minimum 100 3-point attempts, 100 field-goal attempts, and 50 free-throw attempts). In SEC play, she was second in 3-point percentage and fifth in free-throw percentage. In terms of advanced stats, she was third in the SEC in offensive win shares and eighth in total win shares. Now that Frank is entering her senior season, there will be a lot to look forward to as she tries to bring Missouri back to the NCAA Tournament, a place the Tigers haven’t been in three seasons.
Holly Kersgieter, Kansas
2021-22 Stats: 13.4 PPG, 1.8 SPG, 4.7 RPG
Then, we have Holly Kersgieter, a 5-foot-11 shooting guard from Kansas who is a preseason All-Big 12 selection. Kersgieter has been her team’s scorer in each of the last two seasons, including last year when she propelled the Jayhawks to their first NCAA berth since 2012-13. In Big 12 play last season, she averaged 13.8 points per game, which was 10th in the conference, and averaged 5.5 rebounds per game, which was 12th. While Kersgieter’s numbers last season dipped a bit from her excellent sophomore season, there were still good enough to make the All-Big 12 First Team. While in the tournament, the Jayhawks defeated Georgia Tech and Kersgieter shined on the big stage, dropping 19 points to go along with five rebounds. This season Kersgieter will try and cement her status as one of Kansas' best players in recent memory.
Makenna Marisa, Penn State
2021-22 Stats: 22.2 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.6 SPG
Next, there’s Penn State point guard Makenna Marisa, who was a member of the 2022-23 preseason All-Big Ten team and was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list. Last season, she ranked seventh nationally and was second in the Big Ten in points per game. One of Marisa’s many highlights from a 2021-22 season that landed her on the All-Big Ten First Team came against Delaware State, where she became the second player in Division I since 2009-10 to record a stat line of at least 30 points, 10 assists, and 10 steals. In her senior season, Marisa will look to elevate her game and help turn Penn State around as they have not had a winning campaign since the 2016-17 season.
McKenna Hofschild, Colorado State
2021-22 Stats: 17.5 PPG, 6.3 APG, 2.87 assist-to-turnover ratio
Finally, to top it all off, we have McKenna Hofschild from Colorado State, a point guard who joins Marisa and Park-Lane on the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list. Hofschild had an amazing junior season, setting the Colorado State single-season record. She ranked eighth in the country in assists per contest and third in assist-to-turnover ratio among those with at least 150 assists. In conference play, Hofschild led the Mountain West Conference in assists with 6.9 per game and was second in scoring with 18.3 points per outing. In terms of advanced stats, she led the Mountain West in offensive win shares, ranked third in offensive win shares, and was seventh in PER. If Hofschild continues playing at such a high level this season, Colorado State could be raising the Mountain West Conference championship trophy come March.
That wraps up the top underrated seniors for this season. There’s a lot of talent in the senior class and these players are among those worth keeping an eye out for.
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