JuJu Watkins receives John R. Wooden Award ahead of 2025-26 USC Women's Basketball season opener

LOS ANGELES -- Tuesday night was not only the start of the USC Trojans Women's basketball season, but before the season went underway, a familiar face stepped onto the court. The first team All-American and Naismith Trophy winner JuJu Watkins received the John R. Wooden Award ahead of tip-off. 

Watkins was announced the winner of the John R. Wooden Award in April of this year, beating out UConn's Paige Bueckers by an impressive 46 votes. The junior point guard had a stellar 2024-25 season that ended abruptly after suffering a torn ACL during the second round of the NCAA tournament. 

In the 2024-25 season, which was a historic one to say the least, Watkins averaged 23.6 points and dished out 3.4 assists a game with 6.8 rebounds. Among the many other accolades she achieved that season, her full focus for now will be on recovery. 

"I'm incredibly thankful for my family, teammates, coaches, the USC training personnel, Jason, Shane and everyone who's continued to support me every day through this journey," Watkins said when she announced that she will forgo the 2025-26 season to fully focus on recovering her knee. "I'm excited to keep putting in work to come back even stronger." 

With Watkins' absence beginning tonight as the Women of Troy open up their season against the New Mexico Aggies at the Galen Center, there are still high expectations for this Trojan team coming off a historic season in which they recorded their first 30-win season since 1985. With players like Kennedy Smith and Jazzy Davidson at the helm for the foreseeable future, the Trojans have earned themselves a golden opportunity to capitalize on their previous success