After a national champion is crowned each season, a group of credentialed media members vote on the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA women's tournament. While this award is typically given to a player on the championship team, it's meant to recognize a player's entire March Madness run. After South Carolina defeated Iowa for the 2024 NCAA title, Kamilla Cardoso joined the elite group of MOP winners.
With the 2025 NCAA tournament, a new winner will be crowned. Here is every winner of the Most Outstanding Player award in women's NCAA tournament history:
1982: Janice Lawrence, Louisiana Tech (So.)
1983: Cheryl Miller, Southern California (Fr.)
1984: Cheryl Miller, Southern California (So.)
1985: Tracy Claxton, Old Dominion (Sr.)
1986: Clarissa Davis, Texas (Fr.)
1987: Tonya Edwards, Tennessee (Fr.)
1988: Erica Westbrooks, Louisiana Tech (Sr.)
1989: Bridgette Gordon, Tennessee (Sr.)
1990: Jennifer Azzi, Stanford (Sr.)
1991: Dawn Staley, Virginia (Jr.)
1992: Molly Goodenbour, Stanford (Jr.)
1993: Sheryl Swoopes, Texas Tech (Sr.)
1994: Charlotte Smith, North Carolina (Jr.)
1995: Rebecca Lobo, UConn (Sr.)
1996: Michelle Marciniak, Tennessee (Sr.)
1997: Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee (So.)
1998: Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee (Jr.)
1999: Ukari Figgs, Purdue (Sr.)
2000: Shea Ralph, UConn (Jr.)
2001: Ruth Riley, Notre Dame (Sr.)
2002: Swin Cash, UConn (Sr.)
2003: Diana Taurasi, UConn (Jr.)
2004: Diana Taurasi, UConn (Sr.)
2005: Sophia Young, Baylor (Jr.)
2006: Laura Harper, Maryland (Jr.)
2007: Candace Parker, Tennessee (So.)
2008: Candace Parker, Tennessee (Jr.)
2009: Tina Charles, UConn (Jr.)
2010: Maya Moore, UConn (Jr.)
2011: Danielle Adams, Texas A&M (Sr.)
2012: Brittney Griner, Baylor (Jr.)
2013: Breanna Stewart, UConn (Fr.)
2014: Breanna Stewart, UConn (So.)
2015: Breanna Stewart, UConn (Jr.)
2016: Breanna Stewart, UConn (Sr.)
2017: A'ja Wilson, South Carolina (Jr.)
2018: Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame (Jr.)
2019: Chloe Jackson, Baylor (Sr.)
2021: Haley Jones, Stanford (So.)
2022: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina (Jr.)
2023: Angel Reese, LSU (So.)
2024: Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina (Sr.)
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