By means of her stellar sophomore season at USC, JuJu Watkins set herself aside as a singular celebrity. Now she’s bought the {hardware} to show it.
Watkins grew to become the primary Trojan to be chosen the Related Press participant of the 12 months Thursday, becoming a member of Courtney Paris, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart as simply the fourth sophomore to win the award. The newest honor got here after per week by which nationwide awards for Watkins have piled up.
A knee harm lower Watkins’ particular season quick within the NCAA event’s spherical of 32, and with out her the Trojans had been eradicated two rounds later within the Elite Eight.
It’s unclear when she is going to return to the court docket. However the unlucky conclusion to her sophomore marketing campaign additional illuminated simply how extraordinary Watkins was in main the Trojans to a high seed within the event.
USC received the Large Ten in its first season within the convention, whereas Watkins was named Large Ten participant of the 12 months. She posted her twentieth profession 30-point sport and moved to ninth in class historical past in scoring after changing into the quickest Trojan to succeed in 1,000 factors.
Watkins averaged fewer factors (27.1 to 23.9) and rebounds (7.3 to six.8) than she did as a freshman however grew to become a extra refined and environment friendly participant. Her protection additionally improved by leaps and bounds, sufficient in order that she was a finalist for defensive participant of the 12 months.
