**JuJu Watkins Wins 2025 John R. Wooden Award**
**Meta Description:** USC’s JuJu Watkins wins the 2025 John R. Wooden Award, becoming one of the youngest recipients in history, despite an ACL injury during the tournament.
**URL Slug:** juju-watkins-john-wooden-award-2025
**JuJu Watkins Wins Prestigious John R. Wooden Award in 2025**
The voters have made their choice, and USC women’s basketball standout JuJu Watkins has been named the 2025 recipient of the John R. Wooden Award. This prestigious honor was announced on Saturday, with Watkins surpassing notable competitors, including UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who is still active in the NCAA Tournament. Other finalists included Lauren Betts from UCLA, Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame, and Madison Booker from Texas.
Watkins, a sophomore, has made history by becoming only the third underclassman to win this award since its inception in the 2003-04 season. Her remarkable performance throughout the NCAA tournament showcased her dominance on the court, although her journey was cut short by an ACL injury in the second round. Prior to the injury, she was averaging an impressive 23.9 points per game, ranking fourth nationally, along with 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 33.8 minutes of play. She was also on track to potentially break Caitlin Clark’s all-time NCAA scoring record before her injury.
Meanwhile, Bueckers, a senior, continues to compete in the NCAA Tournament and is aiming for a championship title after leading her team to a decisive 85-51 victory over UCLA in the Final Four. She has averaged 20 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season and will face off against Dawn Staley’s defending champion South Carolina team in the upcoming championship game.
As the season progresses, the impact of these talented players on women’s basketball continues to grow, highlighting the increasing competitiveness and skill level in the sport.
**FAQ**
*Who is JuJu Watkins?*
JuJu Watkins is a sophomore basketball player at USC who recently won the 2025 John R. Wooden Award, recognizing her as one of the top players in college basketball.
