USC's JuJu Watkins named women's Naismith National Player of the Year

USC guard JuJu Watkins was named the women's 2025 Naismith National Player of the Year on Wednesday.

The sophomore sensation averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, lifting the Trojans to a 31-4 record and 17-1 conference mark. USC was the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament Spokane 4 region but Watkins suffered a torn ACL in her right knee in a second-round matchup with Mississippi State. The Trojans eventually lost to UConn in the regional final.

Advertisement

The Los Angeles native was selected for the Naismith Award over UConn's Paige Bueckers (who won the award as a freshman), Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and Lauren Betts of cross-town rival UCLA.

Watkins adds the Naismith Award to a list of honors including Big Ten Player of the Year and being named a unanimous first-team All-American.