Loyalty is often not rewarded in the world of sport. In this case, exceptional talent is being penalised for not entering the transfer portal despite having all the attributes to do so. ESPN's mid-season top 25 player rankings undoubtedly boast an elite group of players, but the list clearly prioritises stars that feature for highly respected colleges who receive a large percentage of media attention. This has resulted in one of the in-form players in the country being omitted -- Maggie Doogan.
The Richmond Spiders forward is one of many in the current crop of draft-eligible players who are yet to gain the plaudits they deserve in line with their performances. Doogan featured on an earlier version of the rankings, but has seemingly fallen down the pecking order. This is far from an agenda by mainstream media outlets like ESPN. It is just further proof that countless athletes will be slipping through the net due to the teams they feature for.
As a major sports broadcaster, ESPN rely heavily on clicks and views, meaning they must prioritise the trending colleges throughout the country to ensure that the traffic they gain still keeps them at the top of their respective field. What this does is shine a spotlight further on dominant teams, such as UConn, South Carolina and currently Texas. This is correct in a business sense; however, when it comes to player rankings, it decreases the validity of what they are stating.
Case in point, Maggie Doogan
If anybody needed evidence that players of unranked teams are not provided a fair crack of the whip, there has never been a more prevalent case than the Richmond Spiders star Maggie Doogan. After developing her all-around game throughout her college career, Doogan is now registering career-high numbers and proving she is one of the brightest talents in the country.
Throughout 19 games this season, the 21-year-old has averaged 23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks, while shooting around 51% from the floor. Doogan's ability to contribute in all aspects of the game makes her a truly rare prospect. Her efficiency from deep (42.3%) has been something that the Spiders have heavily relied on this campaign.
The brilliance does not just lie in her season averages, but her single-game scoring dominance -- if that is what her teammates require. In a gruelling 91-84 3OT triumph over Davidson, Doogan recorded a 48-point, 13-rebound performance. The game refused to come to an end, as did the forward's relentless stamina, as she ended the game with a 60.7% field-goal percentage.
Of course, there will always be the rational argument that the Atlantic 10 conference is not on the same stratosphere as a stacked SEC, Big Ten, or even the ACC. So could players of this calibre replicate the same statistics when making the step up to this level? Doogan has proven she is more than capable.
This season, Doogan recorded a 22-point, seven-rebound performance against the high-flying Texas Longhorns. Additionally, she scored 23 points and claimed seven rebounds in a matchup with TCU earlier in the campaign. No matter the fixture, Maggie Doogan has stepped up with conviction and has yet to fail.
Despite all of the stardust that Maggie Doogan continues to sprinkle around the NCAA, her performances have not been deemed on the same level as those of other prospects. It cannot be denied that there are individuals on ESPN's mid-season top 25 player standings who are supremely talented, but the question must be asked: If Richmond's leading light were not representing a mid-major programme, would she have made the list?