JuJu Watkins, the standout guard for the University of Southern California (USC), has been honored with the 2024-25 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, recognizing her as the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Player of the Year. This accolade follows a remarkable freshman season where Watkins led the nation with an average of 27.1 points per game and set a USC record with 14 games scoring 30 or more points.

JuJu Watkins, the standout guard for the University of Southern California (USC), has been honored with the 2024-25 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, recognizing her as the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Player of the Year. citeturn0search0 This accolade follows a remarkable freshman season where Watkins led the nation with an average of 27.1 points per game and set a USC record with 14 games scoring 30 or more points.

Watkins’ journey to USC was marked by her commitment in November 2022, choosing the Trojans over other top programs such as Stanford and South Carolina. citeturn0search2 Her decision to stay close to home, having grown up just 10 miles from the USC campus, has proven fruitful, as she has quickly become a cornerstone of the team’s success. Her exceptional performances have not only elevated the team’s standing but have also garnered significant individual recognition.

Looking ahead, Watkins is poised to continue her impactful presence on the court. The USC Trojans are set to face the Kansas State Wildcats in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 5:00 PM PDT. Fans are eager to see how Watkins’ leadership and skill will influence the team’s pursuit of a national title.