Meet the Freshmen Making Their Mark in March Madness

Michigan University

A two-time High School Player of the Year, McKenzie Mathurin has wasted no time making an impact in her freshman season, appearing in 24 games off the bench for the Wolverines. She announced herself early with a 14-point, two-rebound, three-assist, two-steal performance against Binghamton in just her third career game. Mathurin continued to build on that momentum with a career-high 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting at Penn State. A proven playmaker who thrives in the big moment, she's capable of being a gamechanger off the bench for Michigan this March.

University of Minnesota

Coming off the bench for 26 appearances, Makena Christian had a huge debut in her very first college game, dropping a career-high 23 points with five three-pointers against North Dakota – the first Minnesota player to score 23 points in a debut since Lindsey Lieser against Ball State in 1999. She has averaged 3.7 points per game this season, staying ready whenever the Gophers have called on her. Her contributions have helped Minnesota towards a historic postseason run, earning their first NCAA tournament win since 2018 in the first round and now heading to their first Sweet 16 since 2005.

Louisiana State University (LSU)

ZaKiyah Johnson earned SEC All-Freshman honors – only the ninth LSU player to ever receive the distinction – after averaging 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during the regular season. Johnson started 18 games, scoring in double figures in 18 of her 30 outings. Although originally recruited as a guard, her versatility has allowed her to play forward and act as a strong rebounding presence in the paint for the Tigers. That presence has carried into the postseason, where she has logged double-digit minutes in LSU's first two March Madness games, contributing 16 and 8 points respectively. The Tigers are headed to the Sweet 16 having set a new program record for most points scored in an NCAA tournament, while also tying the Division I record for most 100-point games in a season with five.

Duke University

After missing her first season with a knee injury, Arianna Roberson has made the most of her return as Duke's top performer off the bench, averaging 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the regular season. She reached double figures nine times and recorded three double-doubles, including her first 20-point performance in a comeback win against California. Roberson has led the Blue Devils in rebounding in seven games and ranks second on the team with 37 blocks. Playing 20-plus minutes in each of Duke's first two tournament games, she has been a key piece of a team with big March Madness aspirations.

University of Oklahoma

Aaliyah Chavez has brought big-time talent to Norman, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors while averaging 18.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Her breakout moment came in early January against South Carolina, when she scored 15 of her 26 points in overtime along with eight assists to secure the win. Chavez has been extremely effective in her first college season, shooting 37.6% from the field and 30.7% from three. Paired with senior Raegan Beers, the duo has powered Oklahoma to a back-to-back Sweet 16 appearance.

Vanderbilt University

Named this season’s SEC Freshman of the Year – only the fourth player in program history to earn the honor – Aubrey Galvan averaged 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in regular-season play. She also led all NCAA freshmen in both assists and steals. Her standout performance came against Oklahoma, when she dropped a career-high 30 points – the only SEC freshman to score 30 in a conference game this year. She has carried her strong form into the postseason, scoring a big 17 points in Vanderbilt's first-round win over High Point.

University of Connecticut (UConn)

Recruited out of Ecuador through the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Global Women's Camp, Blanca Quiñonez earned both Big East Freshman of the Year and Big East Sixth Woman of the Year honors while averaging 10.1 points per game this season. Often first or second off the bench, she has been a key piece of UConn's undefeated season, and announced herself on the March Madness stage with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in her tournament debut against UTSA. Now, her sights are set on helping the Huskies defend their title.

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Nyla Brooks made an immediate impact in Chapel Hill, earning All-ACC Freshman honors and a spot on the Tamika Catchings Award Watch List. The 2025 McDonald's All-American scored 15 points in her first collegiate game before setting a new season high with 21 points in a road win at Wake Forest. Brooks recorded eight games with five or more rebounds as she appeared in all 31 regular-season games for the Tar Heels. Brooks scored double digits in UNC's first-round tournament game, and will be a key piece as the Tar Heels look to make a deep tournament run.