The countdown to another exciting season of Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball is underway!
The 2026 ACC Tip-Off, held October 5–7 at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown, brings together select members of the media and representatives from all 18 ACC institutions. The event provides an opportunity to hear directly from head coaches, meet returning players, learn about incoming talent, and get an early look at what lies ahead for the upcoming season.
With the 18 programs divided into groups of six, each day features two sessions designed to give the media an opportunity to interact with the schools and gain insight into their programs.
I'll be taking a closer look at each institution, highlighting the players representing their schools at the event, key returning contributors, impactful newcomers, and the storylines that could shape their seasons.
Let's take a look at the six programs featured in Day 1, Session 1!
1. Clemson Tigers
Team to watch
2025–26 Record: 21–12 ACC Record: 11–7 Head Coach: Shawn Poppie (3rd season)
Key Returning Players
Rusne Augustinaite – Guard: 10.6 PPG, 80 three-pointers made.
Mackenzie Nelson – Guard: 8.0 PPG, 5.8 APG (Virginia Tech transfer).
Can Clemson take the next step?
Clemson enters the 2026–27 season looking to build on a successful 21-win campaign and take the next step toward becoming a legitimate NCAA Tournament contender. After suffering an overtime loss to Southern California in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament, the Tigers have plenty of motivation to push further this season.
Head Coach Shawn Poppie is particularly excited about the incoming freshman class, which received national recognition, ranking as high as ninth by 247Sports and 13th by ESPN.
One freshman to keep an eye on is forward Kimora Fields. She brings a skill set that addresses an important need on the Clemson roster and could make an immediate impact.
Another major storyline surrounding the Tigers is the status of guard Mia Moore, last season's leading scorer. The NCAA is still reviewing her eligibility case. Coach Poppie expressed optimism about Moore and Taylor Johnson-Matthews receiving clearance, noting that both players have been practicing with the team while awaiting approval.
If Clemson gets the opportunity to put its full roster together, the Tigers could have the pieces necessary to make a deeper NCAA Tournament run.
2. Duke Blue Devils
ACC championship contender
2025–26 Record: 27–9 ACC Record: 16–2 Head Coach: Kara Lawson (7th season)
Key Returning Players
Toby Fournier – Forward: 17.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 78 blocks.
Delaney Thomas – Forward: 11.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG.
Is another Final Four run on the horizon in Durham?
Entering her seventh season at Duke, Head Coach Kara Lawson has reestablished the Blue Devils as one of the premier programs in women's college basketball.
Following back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, Duke captured its second consecutive ACC Tournament championship and added the 2026 regular-season championship to its growing list of accomplishments.
This season, the Blue Devils will lean heavily on an experienced front court, led by junior forward Toby Fournier. As the team's leading returning scorer and rebounder, Fournier will be counted on to establish the tone, control the paint, and deliver in critical moments.
However, the incoming freshman class could make this team even more dangerous. Duke welcomes two McDonald's All-American guards who Coach Lawson expects to contribute immediately.
Autumn Fleary, a Maryland native who played at Sidwell Friends in Washington, D.C., arrives in Durham with an impressive résumé. She earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors and helped her Team Takeover organization capture the 2025 Nike National Championship.
Bella Fleming, a San Antonio, Texas, native, also brings an impressive collection of accolades. During the 2026 high school season, she earned Gatorade, MaxPreps, and Texas Basketball Player of the Year honors.
Coach Lawson also enters the season with significant international success, having guided the USA national team to a FIBA World Cup gold medal last month.
With an experienced frontcourt, elite incoming talent, and a championship culture already established, Duke has all the ingredients to make another serious run at the Final Four — and potentially something even bigger.
3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2025–26 Record: 14–19 ACC Record: 8–10 Head Coach: Karen Blair (2nd season)
Key Returning Players
Talayah Walker – Guard: 17.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG.
La'Nya Foster – Guard: 7.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG.
Can the Yellow Jackets turn potential into postseason success?
There is plenty to watch in Atlanta as Georgia Tech enters its second season under Head Coach Karen Blair.
Blair's first year at the helm came with the challenges that often accompany a new head coach and a developing roster. Despite the ups and downs of a 33-game season, the Yellow Jackets finished with a WBIT first-round appearance and valuable experience to build upon.
One of the brightest spots was guard Talayah Walker, who emerged as a major offensive weapon. Walker scored 576 total points, the most by a Georgia Tech player in more than a decade. She finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, recording three 30-point performances along the way.
With returning backcourt contributors Erica Moon and La'Nya Foster, Georgia Tech has a foundation of experience to work with.
Coach Blair and her staff also made important additions through the transfer portal, adding depth, shooting, and versatility to the backcourt.
Some newcomers to watch include:
Jordan Ode – Redshirt Freshman: Arrives from Michigan State.
Sofia Munoz – Sophomore: Transfers from UAB after averaging 11.8 points and 4.1 assists while shooting 47% from three-point range.
Kyndal Walker – Junior: Transfers from Maryland after averaging 6.8 points per game.
Throughout summer workouts and fall preparation, Coach Blair has seen the team develop stronger chemistry and become more comfortable playing together.
The talent is there, and the additional depth should give Georgia Tech more options. If the new pieces come together quickly, the Yellow Jackets could put themselves in position to compete for an NCAA Tournament berth.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels
Potential Final Four team
2025–26 Record: 28–8 ACC Record: 14–4 Head Coach: Courtney Banghart (8th season)
Key Returning Players
Nyla Brooks – Guard: 8.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, All-ACC Freshman Team.
Achol Akot – Forward: 12.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG (Oklahoma State transfer).
Could this be the year Carolina makes a Final Four run?
The Tar Heels are coming off their third Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last six years, and Head Coach Courtney Banghart continues to work the recruiting trail to bring elite talent to Chapel Hill.
One of the biggest keys to Carolina's success this season will be the health of point guard Reniya Kelly. Her ability to run the offense, control the tempo, and create opportunities for the players around her will be critical to the team's success.
The incoming freshman class also brings plenty of excitement. Freshman guard Kate Harpring arrives in Chapel Hill with an impressive collection of accolades. If she can translate that success to the college game, she could become an important contributor early in her career.
Sophomore guard Nyla Brooks, coming off an All-ACC Freshman Team selection, will also be counted on to continue her development and anchor the perimeter.
The frontcourt is another area worth watching. Carolina has struggled to get consistent production in some of its biggest games over the last few seasons. Junior center Blanca Thomas and senior forward Ciera Toomey have gained valuable experience and will need to take another step forward.
The addition of forward Achol Akot, who transfers from Oklahoma State after averaging 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds, could be particularly important. She will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact.
With a healthy Reniya Kelly, continued development from the returning players, and added production in the frontcourt, North Carolina has the potential to make a serious run at the Final Four.
5. NC State Wolfpack
Experienced championship contender
2025–26 Record: 21–11 ACC Record: 13–5 Head Coach: Wes Moore (13th season)
Key Returning Players
Zoe Brooks – Guard: 16.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.3 APG.
Khamil Pierre – Forward: 16.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG.
The Wolfpack know what it takes to compete in March.
Head Coach Wes Moore has built one of the most consistent programs in women's college basketball, and he has done it his way.
Coming off an 11th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, highlighted by the program's 2024 Final Four run, NC State once again has the talent and experience to make noise when March arrives.
Senior guard Zoe Brooks has already made her mark in the NC State record books, and she will have another opportunity to build on that legacy this season.
Alongside her is senior forward Khamil Pierre, giving the Wolfpack one of the more dangerous inside-outside combinations in the conference. Brooks' ability to create opportunities and Pierre's production in the paint give NC State two players capable of taking over a game.
One player I am particularly interested in watching is sophomore guard Ky'She Lunan. She showed flashes of her potential last season while averaging 4.5 points per game. I believe she has an opportunity to take a significant step forward and become a more consistent contributor.
Freshman forward Kamora Pruitt could also earn meaningful minutes early in the season, giving the Wolfpack another option in the frontcourt.
Another player worth watching is sophomore guard Adelaide Jernigan, a sharpshooter from nearby Winston-Salem. Her ability to knock down perimeter shots could help her earn a spot in the rotation.
With experienced senior leadership, a strong inside-outside combination, and several young players ready for bigger roles, NC State has the pieces to remain a major factor in the ACC race and return to the NCAA Tournament.
6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2025–26 Record: 14–18 ACC Record: 4–14 Head Coach: Megan Gebbia (5th season)
Key Returning Players
Opal Bird – Forward: 5.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 21 blocks.
Breauna Ware – Guard: 5.4 PPG (Wisconsin transfer).
A young Demon Deacons team looking to make its move.
Head Coach Megan Gebbia has done a tremendous job identifying talent and bringing players into the Wake Forest program who can help build a competitive future in Winston-Salem.
The Demon Deacons opened the 2025–26 season with an impressive 9–0 record before finishing the year with an invitation to the WNIT. While the team experienced some challenges as the season progressed, there are reasons for optimism heading into 2026–27.
Coach Gebbia is especially excited about the young talent joining the program, led by freshman guard Oshauna Holland, the No. 1 player in North Carolina's 2026 recruiting class.
Holland arrives in Winston-Salem after an outstanding high school career at Stuart Cramer High School, where she established herself as one of the state's premier scorers. She finished her four-year career with more than 3,280 points, surpassing the previous North Carolina high school scoring record.
Holland will be a player to watch as she transitions to the college game.
The youth movement doesn't stop there. Freshman guard Adora Nwude, who comes from the Bullis School in Maryland, and forward Helena Danielwicz, an international addition from Poland, will also be counted on to contribute on both ends of the floor.
The development of this freshman class, combined with the returning players and new additions, will be a major factor in Wake Forest's success.
If the newcomers adjust quickly to the college game and the team develops the chemistry necessary to compete in the ACC, the Demon Deacons could surprise some opponents this season.