USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb held back tears as she told sophomore guard JuJu Watkins after Watkins was named unanimous National Player of the Year by The Athletic. The honor capped a record-setting year for Watkins, who has become a standout figure in college basketball.
‘Her season ended prematurely after tearing her ACL earlier in the NCAA Tournament. USC fell 78-64 to UConn in the Elite Eight without her, marking the Trojans’ second consecutive tournament exit as the Huskies punched their ticket to the Final Four.
Gottlieb Honors JuJu Watkins After Historic Season as She Earns Unanimous Player of the Year
USC women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb shared an emotional moment with her star guard, Watkins, who was named the unanimous National Player of the Year. Gottlieb revealed the news to the injured sophomore in a heartfelt FaceTime conversation, praising her for a season that transformed her career and the program.
“We miss you,” Gottlieb began, her voice cracking. “JuJu has been everywhere. It feels bizarre to be on a road trip FaceTiming you. Nothing about it has felt normal.”
As she delivered the news, Gottlieb reminded Watkins of what lies ahead.
“I’m really proud of you. It’s not the endpoint. It’s a beginning point,” she said. “You’re really, really deserving—more than people know.”
Earlier this week, Coach G called JuJu to let her know she was going to be named the Naismith & AP Player of the Year ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LJ5rNVB6eI
— USC Women’s Basketball (@USCWBB) April 4, 2025
Though Watkins could not finish the NCAA Tournament due to a torn ACL, her impact on USC’s historic season remained undeniable.
“Obviously, I would rather be telling you this in person,” Gottlieb said. “Ooh, I’m gonna get emotional.”
Watkins was named both the Naismith and AP National Player of the Year. She got 29 of 31 votes from the AP’s national media panel. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo claimed the remaining two. In becoming the first USC player ever to win the award, Watkins also joined an elite group of sophomores to receive the honor, alongside Courtney Paris (2007), Maya Moore (2009), and Breanna Stewart (2014).
“You know this program is where it is because of everything you bring and who you’ve been,” Gottlieb told Watkins. “I’ve had an inside view to all the hard stuff that you’ve done to get yourself where you are and get the team where the team is.”
USC secured its first Big Ten regular-season title in 31 years, a significant milestone that Watkins helped deliver before her injury.
KEEP READING: Injured Juju Watkins Cheers on USC as They Reach Elite 8, Set to Face Paige Bueckers’ UConn
“I think what’s so significant about this award is that this year didn’t have an absence of talent and stars, and Watkins found a way to elevate herself and her team,” Gottlieb told reporters.
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