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JuJu Watkins turned heads all season long, and now she has the hardware to prove it: the 2025 Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year Award. The USC sophomore guard was a force of nature, averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 43% from the floor. She led the Trojans to a 31-4 record and their first Big Ten regular-season title in more than three decades. But tragedy struck in the second round of the NCAA Tournament when an ACL tear sidelined her, robbing fans of her full March Madness brilliance. Still, her stellar year secured her the Naismith Trophy, making her just the second USC player to win the award, following Cheryl Miller’s three-peat from 1984-86.
JuJu Watkins Outshining the Stars
Watkins didn’t walk into this award unchallenged – she outlasted some of the game’s elite. Among them was UConn’sPaige Bueckers, the projected top pick in the next WNBA draft and a Naismith winner herself as a freshman in 2021, the only rookie ever to do so. Bueckers is still in the hunt for a national title this year, a prize Watkins might have chased if not for her injury, a bittersweet twist that could haunt her throughout her college career. Watkins also beat out UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, but it’s her lead over Bueckers that sparks the most chatter, suggesting a rivalry with legs. In her acceptance speech, Watkins reflected, “Wow, I’m at a loss for words right now. What an incredible honor. I want to sincerely thank Naismith for this amazing recognition. This is truly special and I feel so blessed to be chosen among some of the best in the game.”
Then there’s the inevitable nod to Caitlin Clark, a two-time Naismith Award winner who has redefined the women’s game. Watkins is already ahead of Clark’s pace, surpassing her totals from her first two NCAA seasons. If she keeps it up, Clark’s all-time NCAA scoring record could be in her sights – a lofty goal, but not out of reach for the 6-foot-2 dynamo. Picture this: Watkins, Clark and Bueckers all suiting up together for the U.S. national team at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. It’s a hoops fever dream, and Watkins herself hinted at bigger things to come, saying, “This is just the beginning and I can’t wait to see what’s next. So thank you again and keep fighting.”
A Trophy Case Overflowing
The Naismith Award may be the crown jewel, but Watkins’ season was a trophy-filled one. She nabbed Big Ten Player of the Year honors, earned unanimous first-team All-American honors and landed on the first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive squads. Her stat line – 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in addition to her scoring – shows that she’s a two-way terror, not just a bucket-getter. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb called her a “do-it-all” talent, and the numbers back that up: 33.8 minutes a night, grinding out wins for a Trojans team that went 17-1 in Big Ten play.
As Watkins begins the long road to recovery, her words echo with promise and grit. That “fight on” mantra isn’t just a USC slogan – it’s her blueprint. The basketball world is already buzzing about her comeback, and with that kind of resume at just 19, it’s clear she’s not done piling on the accolades. The Naismith is a huge milestone, but for Watkins, it’s a launching pad to even greater heights. If injuries don’t strike again, we can expect a deep run next March, and USC will probably be one of the favorites for the championship.
This news was originally published on this post .
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