Cooper Flagg from Duke and JuJu Watkins from USC have earned top honors in college basketball, securing the prestigious John R. Wooden Award for their outstanding performances this season.
Flagg, a freshman forward, was recognized as the nation’s top men’s player, defeating Auburn’s Johni Broome by 178 votes. This victory adds to Duke’s impressive record, marking it as the school with the most Wooden Award winners, totaling eight. Flagg had an exceptional season, averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. His competition included Walter Clayton Jr. of Florida, Mark Sears of Alabama, and Braden Smith of Purdue.
On the women’s side, sophomore guard JuJu Watkins claimed the Wooden Award, edging out UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who won the award in 2021, by 46 votes. Watkins delivered an outstanding performance with an average of 24.6 points per game for the Trojans before an ACL injury cut her season short during the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State. Her fellow finalists were Lauren Betts of UCLA, Madison Booker of Texas, and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame.
Voting for the awards took place from March 11-24, conducted by a national panel of sportswriters, broadcasters, and former Wooden Award winners. The official trophy presentation is scheduled for April 11 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
