JuJu Watkins, the outstanding sophomore who led Southern California to its best season in nearly four decades, was honored as the Women’s Basketball Player of the Year on Thursday. Watkins played a key role in helping the Trojans secure the Big Ten regular-season title, marking their first conference championship in 31 years. She received 29 out of 31 votes from the national media panel that selects the top 25 rankings each week, with Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo earning the remaining two votes. Both players were also named first-team All-Americans.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised Watkins, saying, “What makes this award special is that this was a year filled with talent, and JuJu managed to stand out and elevate both herself and her team.”
Watkins became only the fourth player to win this prestigious award as a sophomore, joining the ranks of Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris (2007), and UConn legends Maya Moore (2009) and Breanna Stewart (2014). She is also the first player from USC to receive this honor since the award’s inception in 1995.
“She makes difficult plays look effortless,” Gottlieb added. “It’s one thing to be called a generational talent, but it’s another to prove it on the court alongside names like Stewie, Maya, and Courtney Paris.”
Currently ranked ninth on USC’s all-time scoring list, Watkins averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists before her season was cut short due to an ACL injury in the NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State.
Accepting the award via Zoom from Los Angeles, Watkins expressed her gratitude: “I’m so honored to receive this recognition. I want to thank my teammates, amazing coaches, family, and friends—without them, this wouldn’t be possible. I feel blessed to do what I love.”
Coach of the Year Cori Close also highlighted Watkins’ contributions off the court, saying, “She’s deeply committed to serving underserved communities and staying true to her roots. This award reflects not just her basketball skills but also her heart for service.”
Watkins consistently performed at her best against top-ranked opponents, averaging 26.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in six games against AP top 10 teams, while shooting 35.4% from beyond the arc.
“She shined in the biggest moments,” Gottlieb noted. “Over the year, she learned how to dominate while empowering those around her.”
Known for her signature “JuJu bun” hairstyle, Watkins has become a major attraction in women’s basketball, with endorsement deals and rising fan interest. The Trojans’ home attendance soared to 5,932 this season, up from 4,421 the previous year. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, Jason Sudeikis, Michael B. Jordan, and Sanaa Lathan, who starred in Love & Basketball—one of Watkins’ favorite films—have shown up to support her.
“It’s hard to miss Snoop Dogg in his custom JuJu jacket,” Gottlieb said. “Her impact goes beyond the court—she chose to stay home, care for her city, and naturally attracted people with her confidence and humility. It’s inspiring to see her influence.”
