Lauren Whittaker is quickly becoming the name to know in the West Coast Conference - and she's only just getting started. The redshirt freshman from New Zealand is putting together a debut campaign that’s turning heads across college basketball, and her latest performance at Coconut Hoops in Fort Myers, Florida, only added fuel to the fire.
Whittaker was electric over the weekend, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team after averaging 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game for Gonzaga. That kind of production isn’t just eye-catching - it’s dominant. She played with the poise of a veteran and the hunger of someone ready to make a statement, and right now, she’s doing just that.
Through the early stretch of the season, Whittaker has claimed three of the first four WCC Freshman of the Week honors - a clear sign of how consistently impactful she’s been. She currently leads the conference in both scoring (19.0 points per game) and rebounding (8.1 boards per game), which is rare air for any player, let alone one in her first full collegiate season.
At 6-foot-3, Whittaker brings a blend of size, skill, and efficiency that’s been a nightmare for opposing defenses. She’s shooting a blistering 53.5% from the field, showing she can finish inside with touch and power.
But she’s not just doing her damage in the paint - she’s also hitting nearly 38% from beyond the arc, stretching the floor and forcing defenders to make tough choices. Add in an 82.5% clip from the free-throw line, and you’ve got a player who’s converting just about every opportunity she gets.
This isn’t just a hot start - it’s the emergence of a foundational piece for Gonzaga. Whittaker’s early dominance is reminiscent of the kind of breakout seasons that define careers and shift the balance of power in a conference. She’s already putting herself in the conversation for postseason honors, and if she keeps this pace, she could be on track for more than just Freshman of the Year.
It’s worth noting that Gonzaga has a recent history of standout newcomers - Zeryhia Aokuso, now a junior guard for the Zags, actually won WCC Freshman of the Year honors last season while playing for Saint Mary’s. That’s the kind of legacy Whittaker is stepping into, and so far, she’s not just living up to it - she’s setting a new standard.
Bottom line: Whittaker isn’t just leading the WCC’s freshman class - she’s leading the whole conference. And if this is what she’s doing in December, the rest of the league better start game-planning now.