The 2024 Women’s NCAA tournament bracket is nearly set, and the top 64 teams in the nation will soon be vying for the coveted national championship. The first round of the competition takes place March 22-23, followed by the second round March 24-25.
Then, things really start getting intense. The Sweet 16 happens March 29-30; Elite Eight from March 31-April 1. The Final Four airs April 5, and finally, the NCAA championship game takes place April 7 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
The intensity, drama, and unpredictability of March Madness are only a few reasons to watch the tournament each year. Whether you have a team you’re rooting for or not, another reason to tune in is to support the Latina athletes taking the court.
Here are five Latina players from a few of the top-seeded teams this year. Not all of them will become 2024 champions, but participating in such an iconic sporting event is something they can take pride in for the rest of their lives!
1
Kamilla Cardoso
The senior center at No. 1 seeded South Carolina is having a dream season. Originally from Montes Claros, Brazil, Kamilla Cardoso is leading the Gamecocks into the March Madness tournament with a perfect 32-0 record. From a statistical perspective, Cardoso’s best game came last November when she scored 23 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, and registered six blocks against South Dakota State. As great as she played in that game, however, no one can deny her buzzer-beating game winning 3-pointer against Tennessee earlier this month. It was Cardoso’s first 3-pointer of her career.
2
Gabriela Jaquez
The sophomore forward for No. 2 UCLA is averaging 9.7 points and 5.4 rebounds this season. Her best game came late last year when she scored 30 points and pulled down 12 rebounds against Bellarmine. UCLA was eliminated last year by South Carolina in the Sweet 16, so Gabriela Jaquez is looking to go farther in the tournament this year. For those who follow the NBA, Jaquez is the younger sister of Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.
3
Celeste Taylor
This is the first year Celeste Taylor is playing for the No. 2 seeded Ohio State. She is a fifth-year senior guard. Prior to playing for the Buckeyes, Taylor took the court for two seasons with Texas and two seasons with Duke. This season, she is averaging 10.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Her best game this year came against Michigan St. when she had 20 points, five rebounds and three assists. Last season with Duke, Taylor was named a finalist for the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year.
4
Hannah Hidalgo
The freshman guard for the No. 2 seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish has had an impressive season. In 2024, she became an ACC Tournament champion and was named the Tournament MVP. She was also named ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was included in the All-ACC First Team. Hannah Hidalgo averaged 23.3 points per game this season and led the nation in steals with 4.6 per game. And she broke a Notre Dame record in steals (147), which was previously held by Skylar Diggins.
5
Aalyah Del Rosario
The Freshman center for No. 3 seeded LSU is originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She averages 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Tigers, who are the defending national champions. Aalyah Del Rosario’s best game this season came late last year when she scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a lopsided 133-44 win against McNeese. During high school, Del Rosario won back-to-back state championships as a junior and senior.