JuJu Watkins remains at the top of women’s college basketball
What had long been presumed is now official: Juju Watkins is an All-American once again. On Wednesday morning, Watkins was named a first team All-American by both the AP and USBWA.
Earning such honors is nothing new for Watkins. Last season, she was a unanimous first team All-American as a true freshman. This year, her points per game actually decreased slightly—from 27.1 to 24.6—due to USC having more scoring options. However, her field goal percentage improved, and she also got better on the defensive end, averaging nearly two blocks per game.
Earlier this month, Watkins was named Big Ten Player of the Year. She has made a very strong argument to also earn National Player of the Year honors when the award is announced at a later date.
Watkins was not the only Trojan to earn All-American recognition. Kiki Iriafen was named a third team All-American by both the AP and USBWA—her first time earning such honors.
Led by Watkins and Iriafen, USC is hoping to make a deep March run and reach the program’s first Final Four in nearly four decades. The Trojans will open the NCAA Tournament on Saturday against UNC Greensboro.
