University Southern California Trojans
November 04, 2026 | Women's Basketball
The senior guard is one of 15 athletes spotlighted for the 50th Wade Trophy, recognizing the nation’s top women’s college basketball player.
ATLANTA — USC senior guard JuJu Watkins has been named to the 2026-27 Wade Watch List, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Watkins is one of 15 players selected to the watch list for the 50th Wade Trophy, the oldest national player of the year award in women's college basketball. A finalist in each of her first two collegiate seasons, Watkins joins Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge and Michigan's Olivia Olson as the Big Ten's three representatives on this year's preseason list.
The Los Angeles native adds to a growing collection of honors for the 2026-27 campaign, having already been named an Associated Press Preseason All-American and Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. Watkins also earned selections to the coaches' and media Preseason All-Big Ten teams and the preseason watch lists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy and Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award.
Watkins made her long-awaited return to competition over the weekend, scoring 21 points in 21 minutes to help No. 3 USC defeat UNLV, 100-68, at the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas. Playing her first regulation game in 588 days, the senior added five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
During the 2024-25 season, Watkins won both the Naismith Trophy and John R. Wooden Award, while also claiming USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year honors. That same season, Watkins earned her second consecutive Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award and first-team All-America recognition from the AP, USBWA and WBCA.
Celebrating its 50th presentation under the campaign "FIVE DECADES. ONE HONOR. MADE FOR WADE," the Wade Trophy honors a legacy of excellence in women's college basketball. First presented in 1978, the award is named for legendary Delta State head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who led the Lady Statesmen to three consecutive national championships, and has recognized the WBCA NCAA Division I Player of the Year since 2001.
The Wade Watch List is selected by the WBCA NCAA Division I Awards Committee, which will review candidates at midseason to determine whether additional players should be included. The 2027 Wade Trophy winner will be announced in April during the WBCA Convention in Columbus, Ohio, site of the NCAA Women's Final Four.
Watkins and her teammates are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 8 for USC's home opener against Utah State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT at the Galen Center, with the game set to air on Big Ten Network.
About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
Watkins is one of 15 players selected to the watch list for the 50th Wade Trophy, the oldest national player of the year award in women's college basketball. A finalist in each of her first two collegiate seasons, Watkins joins Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge and Michigan's Olivia Olson as the Big Ten's three representatives on this year's preseason list.
The Los Angeles native adds to a growing collection of honors for the 2026-27 campaign, having already been named an Associated Press Preseason All-American and Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. Watkins also earned selections to the coaches' and media Preseason All-Big Ten teams and the preseason watch lists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy and Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award.
Watkins made her long-awaited return to competition over the weekend, scoring 21 points in 21 minutes to help No. 3 USC defeat UNLV, 100-68, at the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas. Playing her first regulation game in 588 days, the senior added five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
During the 2024-25 season, Watkins won both the Naismith Trophy and John R. Wooden Award, while also claiming USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year honors. That same season, Watkins earned her second consecutive Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award and first-team All-America recognition from the AP, USBWA and WBCA.
Celebrating its 50th presentation under the campaign "FIVE DECADES. ONE HONOR. MADE FOR WADE," the Wade Trophy honors a legacy of excellence in women's college basketball. First presented in 1978, the award is named for legendary Delta State head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who led the Lady Statesmen to three consecutive national championships, and has recognized the WBCA NCAA Division I Player of the Year since 2001.
The Wade Watch List is selected by the WBCA NCAA Division I Awards Committee, which will review candidates at midseason to determine whether additional players should be included. The 2027 Wade Trophy winner will be announced in April during the WBCA Convention in Columbus, Ohio, site of the NCAA Women's Final Four.
Watkins and her teammates are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 8 for USC's home opener against Utah State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT at the Galen Center, with the game set to air on Big Ten Network.
About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballTuesday, November 03
Monday, November 02
Sunday, November 01
Sunday, October 25
