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.
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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