Will Amelia's Senior season be 'Sweeter' than her last

• Every Australian in NCAAM basketball in 2025-26
• Every Australian in NCAAW basketball in 2025-26
• How Angel Reese changed women's basketball

Traditional NCAA women's powerhouses LSU, UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Texas, Duke, Oklahoma, and Tennessee are all part of the early 2025-26 Power Rankings but that won't stop the more than 90 Australians competing at dozens of American colleges from chasing their basketball dreams.

On the power rankings bubble are senior forward Amelia Hassett's Kentucky Wildcats, Senior Chyra Evans and Sophomore Grace Foster's Utah Utes, and Senior Ayuen Akot's Marquette Golden Eagles.

Hassett and Georgia Amoore, who was drafted by the Washington Mystics with pick seven in 2025, led the Wildcats into March Madness last season while Evans sat out her Junior season with injury and Akot, a Big East All-Academic Team in 2024-25, played a limited role.

Perennial powerhouse LSU and UCLA are emerging as the pre-season favourites.

Australian guard Last-Tear Poa transferred from the Lady Tigers to the Arizona State Sun Devils earlier this year. She will be a fifth-year senior.

Poa told Bec Cole in an exclusive interview on It's A Cole World: "Honestly, it was really Coach Molly (Miller).

"I’m always the type to follow the coach — I don’t really care about programs. Understanding the college system over here, it’s more than just a program. I had to see who was the most consistent coach that was reaching out to me and wanting me to play for them.

"Coach Molly just had that energy. I’m all about energy. I was just growing on her for a while, and even when I came over here to visit my family, my brother — we’re really close — he said, 'Yeah, you need to come here'.

"He was my final say, so I was like, 'Okay, I will'. It was really the most consistent person that was on me the most, and she was.

"Even the staff here, they’re all wonderful, and the area itself is so different compared to where I came from.

"The change is different, but honestly overall, it was Coach Molly. I’m really grateful."

Tale of the Tape

Kentucky Wildcats (SEC)

• Why they are promising:
  • Finished 23–8 (11–5 SEC) in 2024–25 — one of the toughest leagues in the country.
  • NCAA No. 4 seed last year under new coach Kenny Brooks.
  • Strong frontcourt depth returning (Clara Strack, Teonni Key, Hassett from Albury).
  • Added All-ACC transfer Tonie Morgan (Georgia Tech guard, 13.7 PPG, 5.6 APG).
  • Brought in McDonald’s All-American Kaelyn Carroll plus future 5⭐ recruit Savvy Swords committed.

Ceiling: Top-3 SEC contender, Sweet 16+ potential.

2. Utah Utes (Big 12)

• Why promising:
  • Went 22–9 overall, 13–5 Big 12 in first year after moving conferences.
  • Consistent four straight 20-win seasons.
  • Projected as a No. 5 NCAA seed in ESPN Bracketology.
  • 2025–26 non-conference includes UConn and Syracuse — résumé-building opportunities.
  • Aussie presence: Chyra Evans (senior forward, Newcastle) and Grace Foster (sophomore guard, Perth).

Ceiling: Big 12 top-4, Sweet 16 contender with upset potential.

Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East)

• Why promising:
  • Surprised in 2024–25: 20–11, WBIT berth under first-year coach Cara Consuegra.
  • Consuegra was named Big East Co-Coach of the Year.
  • Aussie: Ayuen Akot (senior forward, Melbourne) depending on her minutes.
  • Added sharpshooting transfer Jordan Meulemans (career 42.4% from three at Butler).
  • Balanced, experienced roster with two incoming freshmen and improved depth.

Ceiling: Top-4 in Big East, NCAA at-large contender.

Other colleges with Australians to monitor

• Davidson (A-10): 19–14; WBIT appearance; strong defense; Aussies Charlise Dunn, Katie Donovan, Emilie Bessell. Could be an A-10 title dark horse.
• Syracuse (ACC): Building momentum with strong recruiting; Aussies Sophie Burrows & Madeline Potts in rotation. Mid-tier ACC now but rising.
• Baylor (Big 12): Always competitive nationally; Ella Brow (Junior guard) adds depth.