University Southern California Trojans
November 09, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Watkins earns her eighth career Big Ten Player of the Week award, while Hall collects her first conference honor.
ROSEMONT, Ill. - USC women's basketball senior guard JuJu Watkins was named Big Ten Player of the Week and freshman guard Saniyah Hall earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday, Nov. 9, following the No. 3 Trojans' victories over UNLV and Utah State to open the 2026-27 season.
The recognition marks Watkins' eighth career Big Ten Player of the Week award and Hall's first Freshman of the Week selection.
Watkins averaged 26.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.0 block in just 26.1 minutes per game across USC's two wins. Hall averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals while shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three-point range.
In USC's 100-68 season-opening victory over UNLV at the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas on Nov. 2, Watkins recorded 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block without committing a turnover in 25 minutes. Hall delivered 22 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks in her collegiate debut, making seven of eight field-goal attempts and three of four shots from beyond the arc.
Watkins followed with 32 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, six assists, five steals and one block in USC's 118-40 home-opening win over Utah State on Nov. 8. She shot 10-for-19 from the floor, 4-for-7 from three-point range and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line, leading both teams in points, rebounds and steals while sharing the game lead in assists. Her six assists generated an additional 12 points, bringing her total to 44 points scored or assisted on.
The performance marked Watkins' 18th career double-double and 22nd career 30-point game, moving her within three of Cheryl Miller's program record of 25. Watkins posted a game-best +61 plus-minus in just 27 minutes as USC tied the third-highest scoring total in program history and recorded its second-largest margin of victory.
Hall scored 20 points against Utah State for her second consecutive 20-point outing, adding five rebounds, a career-high three assists and two blocks. Her three assists produced nine additional points, giving her 29 points scored or assisted on. She sparked USC's offense with 10 first-quarter points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting, including two three-pointers, as the Trojans built a 36-11 lead.
Across her first two collegiate games, Hall made 16 of 24 field-goal attempts and five of nine three-pointers. She recorded two blocks in each contest and committed just two turnovers across the two victories.
USC returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 10, hosting College of Charleston at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Galen Center.
The recognition marks Watkins' eighth career Big Ten Player of the Week award and Hall's first Freshman of the Week selection.
Watkins averaged 26.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.0 block in just 26.1 minutes per game across USC's two wins. Hall averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals while shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three-point range.
In USC's 100-68 season-opening victory over UNLV at the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas on Nov. 2, Watkins recorded 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block without committing a turnover in 25 minutes. Hall delivered 22 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks in her collegiate debut, making seven of eight field-goal attempts and three of four shots from beyond the arc.
Watkins followed with 32 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, six assists, five steals and one block in USC's 118-40 home-opening win over Utah State on Nov. 8. She shot 10-for-19 from the floor, 4-for-7 from three-point range and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line, leading both teams in points, rebounds and steals while sharing the game lead in assists. Her six assists generated an additional 12 points, bringing her total to 44 points scored or assisted on.
The performance marked Watkins' 18th career double-double and 22nd career 30-point game, moving her within three of Cheryl Miller's program record of 25. Watkins posted a game-best +61 plus-minus in just 27 minutes as USC tied the third-highest scoring total in program history and recorded its second-largest margin of victory.
Hall scored 20 points against Utah State for her second consecutive 20-point outing, adding five rebounds, a career-high three assists and two blocks. Her three assists produced nine additional points, giving her 29 points scored or assisted on. She sparked USC's offense with 10 first-quarter points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting, including two three-pointers, as the Trojans built a 36-11 lead.
Across her first two collegiate games, Hall made 16 of 24 field-goal attempts and five of nine three-pointers. She recorded two blocks in each contest and committed just two turnovers across the two victories.
USC returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 10, hosting College of Charleston at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Galen Center.
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballThursday, November 12
Thursday, November 12
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 10
