Unveiling the Most Searched College Basketball Players of the 2024 NCAA Tournaments

As the excitement of the 2024 NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball tournaments gripped the nation, our team at Hadron Strategies utilized our innovative technique for analyzing Google search trends to uncover the most searched players of the tournament. Through our exhaustive review, we unearthed fascinating insights into the players who captured the attention of fans across the country - revealing intriguing implications for the growth of the women’s game and the marketability of players moving forward in the age of NIL.

To dig deeper into the national zeitgeist, we employ a meticulous approach to collecting, reviewing, and analyzing Google search trends. Leveraging our unique approach, we delve deep into the data to identify emerging trends and uncover valuable insights. In this project, we were able to combine two of our great loves: data-driven insights and college basketball!

The Results

Top Searched Players of the 2024 NCAA Men’s & Women’s Tournaments according to Hadron Strategies’ Signal Intelligence*:

1. Caitlin Clark, Iowa: 98.27;

2. Zach Edey, Purdue: 52.58;

3. Angel Reece, LSU: 51.03;

4. Paige Bueckers, UConn: 43.67;

5. DJ Burns, NC State: 43.34;

6. JuJu Watkins, Southern Cal:28.57;

7. Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina: 27.52;

8. Donovan Clingan, UConn: 19.26;

9. Cameron Brink, Stanford: 18.96;

10. Jared McCain, Duke: 19.93

It’s Not Just Caitlin Clark

Any casual fan of the game can tell you that Caitlin Clark of Iowa was a transformational player for the women’s basketball. But it’s important to note that interest in women’s basketball goes beyond one player. In fact, three of the top five players, and five of the top ten, searched during the tournament window were female stars, including Angel Reese of LSU, Paige Bueckers of UConn, JuJu Watkins of Southern Call and Cameron Brink of Stanford. This serves as a testament to the growing interest and recognition of the women's game and could be a positive precursor to the discussion surrounding the financial disparity between the male and female players.

Assessing Marketability In The NIL Era

In addition to shedding light on player popularity, our analysis also offers insights into the evolving landscape of college basketball, particularly as it relates to Name, Image, Likeness (NIL). With recent changes allowing players to profit from their marketability through NIL agreements, search interest can serve as a barometer of a player's marketability and perceived value within the college basketball ecosystem. As players seek opportunities to maximize their earning potential and find the right fit for their talents, search trends can provide valuable insights into the marketing value of their name and likeness.

Data-based investigations, such as this one, offer a fascinating glimpse into the pulse of college basketball, revealing the players who have captured the imagination of fans and garnered the widespread attention of television audiences. As the sport continues to evolve, we remain committed to following the increasing integration of college athletics and the media industry.

* Signal Intelligence search scores are custom scores intended to provide comparative insights on a relative basis. They may differ from score found directly in Google Trends.

PHOTO CREDITS: John Mac, Alexander Jonesi, CCS Pictures, John Mac