Feed the Bigs
Why having a dynamic big is the key to success in women’s basketball
In an era where the three-point shot is supreme, having a dynamic big is just as vital to a team’s success. Across the basketball landscape, dynamic bigs like Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Johni Broome, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier are all game changers for their respective teams. In the women’s basketball game, the story is no different.
Many fans are infatuated by the likes of Caitlin Clark with her dazzling stepback threes, Sabrina Ionescu’s deep three-point range, and Juju Watkins ability to score from anywhere on the court, but despite the guards getting the spotlight, don’t forget about the bigs down low. If you’ve ever played the game of basketball, been to a game as a fan, or watched a game on TV, you’ve heard the phrases “feed the big” or “mouse in the house” suggesting that the big on the court is dominating their opponent or has a mismatch.
Now, you may be wondering, “How do you define a dynamic big?” Well, the answer is pretty simple. A dynamic big is a player who can change a game in any aspect, i.e., scoring, rebounding, or defending the paint. These players can be someone who the offense runs through either in the paint, midrange, or beyond the three-point arc, someone who can anchor a defense by changing and altering shots, or someone who rebounds the ball at a very high level. In addition to their skills, these players can be traditional bigs in the sense of dominating the paint, or in the era of positionless basketball, they can be average-sized or undersized athletes. There is no one-size-fits-all make up to a dynamic big.
The Last Five Champions
In recent history, the last five NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament champions have all had at least one dynamic big on their roster that helped guide their teams across the finish line.
2019: Baylor, Kalani Brown
2020: COVID-19 Year, no NCAA Tournament
2021: Stanford, Cameron Brink
2022: South Carolina, Aliyah Boston
2023: LSU, Angel Reese
2024: South Carolina, Kamilla Cardoso
When you look at teams like UConn and the University of South Carolina, who have dominated the women’s game in the past decade, both programs have heavily relied on dynamic bigs. From Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart to A’ja Wilson, Alaina Coates, Aaliyah Boston, and Kamilla Cardoso, both teams built their success by playing through dynamic bigs.
On the other hand, let’s take a closer look at programs like Iowa and the University of Southern California in 2024.
For Iowa, Caitlin Clark was the star of the team, but the team ultimately fell short in part because Hannah Stuelke wasn’t ready to show that she is a dynamic big. Last season, in her sophomore campaign, Stuelke showed glimpses, but in the National Championship, she was overshadowed by Kamilla Cardoso. Stuelke finished the game with just 11 points and 3 rebounds, while Cardoso shined bright, finishing with 15 points and 17 rebounds.
For USC, Juju Watkins was the star of the show for the Trojans but ultimately fell short to UConn. Aaliyah Edwards of UConn finished the game with 24 points and 6 rebounds while Rayah Marshall finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. As we look at the Trojans this year, adding a dynamic big in Kiki Iriafen alongside Watkins and Marshall, USC is poised to make a strong push for a National Championship.
Current Landscape
When looking at some of the top teams across the country, several dynamic bigs can change the game in some way, shape, or form, whether that's scoring, rebounding, or on defense. Here are my top five dynamic bigs in women’s basketball.
Lauren Betts (Paint Beast)
The 6’7 paint beast Lauren Betts has been carrying the UCLA Bruins all season as my top dynamic big in the country. Her height and presence on the court strikes fear into opponents before they even take the floor. Averaging a career-high 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, the No. 1 ranked Bruins have just one loss on the season at the hands to crosstown rival USC. Betts recently announced her return to UCLA for her senior season next year and is sure to be a top 5 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Aneesah Morrow (undersized rebounding machine)
Aneesah Morrow stands at just 6’1 and is undersized for most bigs, but her motor and her ability to rebound are not to be looked over. Morrow leads the country in rebounds per game (14.2) to go along with 18 points per game. What makes Morrow special is her tenacious effort and ability to track down and read the trajectory of the ball to give her team multiple chances to score. LSU has to remember to play through Morrow in the mid-range and low post moving forward.
Kiki Iriafen (all-around, run offense through)
Kiki Iriafen was the biggest name to hit the transfer portal this past summer, as the Stanford grad went to team up with USC star Juju Watkins. Iriafen averages 17 points and 8 boards for the Trojans and can take over a game at any moment. Playing alongside Watkins allows Iriafen to see less double teams, space the floor, and dominate her opponents. For the Trojans to have major success in March, Iriafen will need to command the ball when things get stagnant and dominate, like the first-round pick that she will be in the coming months.
Liatu King (undersized rebounder and mid-range specialist)
For Notre Dame, the guards lead the charge behind the play of Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, and Sonia Citron, but Liatu King has been a great addition after transferring from Pitt. At just 6’0, King is a versatile big, averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. Her ability to knock down mid-range shots, attack the boards, and defend multiple positions will be key for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is one of the most talented teams in the country, and with the return of Maddy Westbeld, the frontcourt is loaded alongside 6’2 Liza Karlen and 6’5 freshman Kate Koval.
Sarah Strong (Power forward with guard skills)
The sensational freshman and frontrunner for National Freshman of the Year, Sarah Strong, is a three-level threat for the Huskies. As the second option after Paige Bueckers, the 6’2 freshman star is averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, impacting every aspect of the game. For UConn to get back to winning titles, Strong will have to continue to be a force on both ends, and the Huskies play inside out to open up looks for shooters like Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Ashlynn Shade, and Kaitlyn Chen.
Honorable Mention: Sedona Prince (TCU), Maddy Westbeld (Notre Dame), Joyce Edwards (USC), Taylor Jones (Texas), and Kyla Odacre (Texas)
As we inch closer to the end of the regular season and into March Madness, it will be important for coaches and players to remember their bigs as they will be key factors in their teams bringing home a championship.