Some players don’t just live up to the hype—they redefine it. USC Trojans sophomore guard Juju Watkins has done just that. She got the place by delivering a historic season that earned her the Big Ten Player of the Year award. Alongside this prestigious honor, Watkins was also unanimously selected to the All-Big Ten First Team and the All-Defensive Team.
Juju Watkins Claims Big Ten Player of the Year with Record-Breaking Season
The athlete solidified her status as one of the most dominant forces in women’s college basketball. This marks the first time a USC player has won a conference Player of the Year award since Cherie Nelson accomplished the feat in 1988.
JUJU WATKINS. BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/4IPPPIJ6AZ
— USC Women’s Basketball (@USCWBB) March 4, 2025
Tabbed as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class out of Sierra Canyon (Calif.), Watkins wasted no time proving why she was regarded as a generational talent.
In her freshman season, she racked up numerous accolades. They include Freshman of the Year, unanimous First-Team All-American honors, and the prestigious Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, given annually to the best shooting guard in women’s college basketball.
Determined to push USC to new heights, Watkins returned for her sophomore season with even bigger goals. She didn’t just meet expectations—she shattered them. Her performances throughout the year left no doubt that she was one of the most electrifying players in the nation.
The former five-star recruit delivered jaw-dropping moments, including a 40-point performance against Cal Baptist, where she shot 12-of-18 from the field and drained a school-record nine three-pointers.
Against Penn State in early January, she showcased her all-around dominance, finishing with 35 points while shooting an incredible 13-of-15 from the field, including a perfect 8-of-8 in the first half. She didn’t stop there—she added 11 rebounds, five steals, and three blocks in a game that further cemented her reputation as an elite two-way player.
However, it was her performances in the biggest moments that truly set her apart.
Watkins’ Historic Performances and USC’s Big Ten Championship Run
When the Trojans faced off against crosstown rival UCLA in mid-February, Watkins delivered one of the greatest performances in college basketball history.
She put up 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, five assists, and a steal, achieving a statistical feat no men’s or women’s player had recorded in over 20 years: 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 5+ blocks, and 5+ three-pointers made in a single game.
Her dominance handed then No. 1 ranked UCLA its first loss of the season and catapulted USC to the top of the Big Ten standings.
The rematch against UCLA was even higher stakes, with the Big Ten regular-season title on the line. Once again, Watkins delivered, dropping 30 points to lead the Trojans to victory and secure their first-ever Big Ten championship.
USC, now ranked No. 2 in the latest AP poll, hasn’t been this high in the national rankings since 1984, further showcasing how Watkins has revitalized the program.
Watkins’ numbers over the season speak for themselves. She was named Big Ten Player of the Week seven times, led the conference in scoring with 24.4 points per game, and topped the league in free throws made with 185.
She also ranked among the top five in blocks and steals, proving her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. What started as a promising season quickly turned into a legacy-defining campaign for Watkins, making her one of the most electrifying athletes in the country.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Players in 2025
Her ability to take over games has not gone unnoticed. USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb emphasized what makes Watkins special:
“Her talent jumps off the screen for people who are watching on TV—the explosiveness, the body control, the complete game,” Gottlieb told The Athletic. “To me, what makes her next level is her impact on winning and her ability to rise to any moment that presents itself, no matter how big.”
With two seasons already filled with record-breaking performances, Watkins is on track to be one of the greatest players to ever wear a USC jersey.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
