A Star Is Born in Norman: How Oklahoma Freshman Phenom Raegan Beers Took College Basketball by Storm and Captured the AP Player of the Year Award in One of the Most Dazzling Rookie Campaigns in NCAA History
In the ever-evolving landscape of women’s college basketball, every few years a player arrives who seems to operate on a different frequency — someone whose presence is both seismic and graceful, whose talent transcends the ordinary, and whose rise feels not just inevitable, but generational. In the 2024–2025 season, that player was Raegan Beers, a name that now rings out in gymnasiums across America with a blend of awe, admiration, and excitement.
Beers, a true freshman for the Oklahoma Sooners, didn’t just live up to the hype — she obliterated it. With her powerful interior game, refined footwork, and a basketball IQ well beyond her years, she transformed Oklahoma’s program almost overnight and emerged as the undisputed face of a new era in college hoops. Her reward? Being named the Associated Press Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year — the first freshman in program history and one of the youngest players ever to receive such a prestigious honor.
This is the story of Raegan Beers’ meteoric rise — from a quiet teenager with a relentless work ethic to a national phenomenon rewriting the record books. Her journey, her impact, and her future promise more than just headlines — they mark the birth of a legacy.
I. The Arrival: Quiet Confidence in a Storm of Expectations
Raegan Beers’ arrival in Norman was met with cautious optimism. A five-star recruit out of Valor Christian High School in Colorado, Beers had long been recognized for her dominant performances at the prep level, where she averaged over 25 points and 14 rebounds per game during her senior season. Her reputation as a polished post scorer with nimble hands and a soft shooting touch preceded her — but even her most loyal supporters couldn’t have predicted how quickly she’d dominate at the collegiate level.
“I knew she was special,” said Oklahoma head coach Jennie Baranczyk. “But what really stood out to me wasn’t just the skill. It was her poise. She walked into our gym like she’d already been playing at this level for years.”
That poise would define her freshman campaign. From her very first game, Beers demonstrated an uncanny ability to control the paint against more experienced and physically mature opponents. Whether sealing off defenders, grabbing tough rebounds in traffic, or executing silky up-and-under moves, she looked like a veteran — confident, composed, and in command.
By the end of November, it was clear: Beers wasn’t just a good freshman. She was one of the best players in the country, period.
II. The Numbers Behind the Narrative
The raw statistics from Raegan Beers’ season tell a story of dominance rarely seen in college basketball — especially from a freshman.
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Points per game: 21.7
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Rebounds per game: 11.4
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Field goal percentage: 61.2%
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Double-doubles: 24 (an OU freshman record)
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Blocks per game: 1.9
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Turnovers per game: Just 1.3
Her field goal percentage led the Big 12 and ranked third nationally. Her rebounding numbers placed her in elite territory. And her consistency — scoring in double figures in every game she played — set a new benchmark for first-year players.
What made Beers’ numbers even more impressive was how efficiently she accumulated them. She rarely forced shots. She moved with precision and purpose, often finishing with high-percentage looks at the rim or punishing opponents from the midrange when they sagged off. Her basketball instincts, honed through years of elite training and AAU competition, translated seamlessly to the college game.
“She doesn’t just play hard,” said ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. “She plays smart. That’s the scary part — she’s already this good, and she’s going to get even better.”
III. Leadership Beyond Her Years
Statistics only tell part of the story. What truly set Raegan Beers apart during her freshman season was her leadership.
Though only 18 years old, Beers became the emotional center of the Sooners. Her work ethic was unmatched — the first to arrive at practice, the last to leave. She watched hours of film on opposing bigs, broke down pick-and-roll reads with assistant coaches, and took extra time with teammates after practice to build chemistry.
“She carries herself like a senior,” said junior guard Payton Verhulst. “She doesn’t talk a lot, but when she does, everyone listens.”
During a pivotal stretch in mid-January, with the Sooners reeling from back-to-back losses to Texas and Baylor, Beers responded with her most dominant performance to date — a 34-point, 18-rebound masterpiece against Iowa State that not only snapped the losing streak but set the tone for Oklahoma’s eight-game winning run that followed.
From that point on, the Sooners were no longer just a good team. They were a Final Four contender — and Beers was the engine powering the surge.
IV. Changing the Narrative at Oklahoma
For a program with a proud tradition — including Final Four appearances in 2002, 2009, and 2010 — Oklahoma had entered a rebuilding phase in recent years. Coach Baranczyk, now in her third season at the helm, had begun to restore the culture of excellence, but something had been missing: a true superstar.
Enter Beers.
With her arrival, Oklahoma didn’t just return to national relevance — they became must-watch television. The Lloyd Noble Center saw increased attendance. Social media buzzed with highlights of her drop-steps, spin moves, and baseline fadeaways. The Sooners climbed into the top 10 of the AP Poll for the first time in over a decade.
More importantly, Beers gave the program an identity. Tough. Selfless. Fearless. She embodied everything Oklahoma basketball had once been and what it aspired to become again.
“She’s the kind of player that makes you believe anything is possible,” Baranczyk said. “For us, for this program, she’s a gift.”
V. National Recognition and AP Player of the Year Honors
As the season wore on, the buzz surrounding Beers only grew louder. National pundits debated whether a freshman could really win the AP Player of the Year award — an honor typically reserved for upperclassmen who had paid their dues.
But with each passing week, the argument became harder to ignore. While other candidates like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese had phenomenal seasons, Beers stood out not just for her stats, but for the transformational impact she had on her team.
By March, the decision seemed inevitable.
On March 28, the announcement came: Raegan Beers was the 2025 AP Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year — the youngest winner since Maya Moore and only the second freshman in history to earn the honor.
The reaction was swift and universal.
“She deserved it,” Clark tweeted. “Incredible season.”
From former stars to current rivals, the praise poured in. And Beers? She took it all in stride.
“I’m honored and humbled,” she said in her acceptance interview. “But I’m not finished. This is just the beginning.”
VI. Life Off the Court: The Grounded Superstar
Despite her newfound fame, Raegan Beers has remained grounded. A psychology major with a deep interest in mental performance and athlete wellness, she’s already involved in several initiatives focused on student-athlete balance and personal development.
“She’s mature beyond her years,” said Baranczyk. “She knows that basketball is a huge part of her life, but it’s not the only part.”
Beers has also embraced her role as a mentor to younger players, hosting clinics in Norman and participating in outreach programs with local high schools.
Her humility, combined with her drive, has made her a fan favorite not just in Oklahoma, but across the country.
VII. The Future: WNBA Stardom and Beyond?
So, what’s next for Raegan Beers?
She’s made no definitive statements about going pro early — and under current NCAA rules, she’d need to play at least three years of college ball before being draft-eligible. But the whispers have already begun.
“WNBA front offices are salivating,” one anonymous scout said. “If she continues on this trajectory, she could be the No. 1 pick the moment she declares.”
For now, though, Beers is focused on the task at hand: leading Oklahoma to its first national championship.
“I’m not thinking about anything but getting better and helping my team win,” she said. “Everything else will take care of itself.”
VIII. Conclusion: The Beginning of a Dynasty
In a sport that thrives on stories of perseverance, breakthrough moments, and dazzling individual brilliance, Raegan Beers has already authored her first chapter — and it’s a masterpiece.
As she walks across the hardwood at Lloyd Noble Center, a trail of records behind her and a sky of possibilities above her, it’s clear that her impact reaches far beyond box scores and highlight reels.
She’s not just a Player of the Year. She’s a program-changer. A culture-shifter. A symbol of what happens when talent meets character, when preparation meets opportunity.
And if this season is any indication, Raegan Beers isn’t just going to rewrite Oklahoma history.
She’s going to redefine what’s possible in women’s college basketball.
