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JuJu Watkins Gets Clear Message After Wooden Award Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Apr 12, 2025 10:31 PM ET

JuJu Watkins' season ended in disastrous fashion when she tore her ACL during the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament. The injury ended the University of Southern California's hopes of winning the national championship.

Her availability for next season is in question as a result, but there is no question that her 2024-25 campaign was a stellar one overall.

She ended it with averages of 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. As long as her injury doesn't rob her of her ability, she should continue to be one of college basketball's best players and perhaps a future WNBA superstar.

Watkins has been named this year's winner of the John R. Wooden Award in women's college basketball after recently also claiming the Naismith College Player of the Year award.

Congratulations to JuJu on winning the Wooden Award in Women’s Collegiate Basketball. We hope your recovery from surgery is successful. We are thrilled to have you as the Wooden Award winner. https://t.co/fkrVKQS9tG pic.twitter.com/UooBlktOOf
— John R. Wooden Award (@WoodenAward) April 12, 2025

Watkins, a 6-foot-2 guard, was also named the AP Player of the Year and the Big Ten Player of the Year for this season.

The Los Angeles native has a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Nike and several other prominent companies, and she has appeared in commercials for State Farm insurance.

She was recently named the winner of Sports Business Journal's Best NIL Athlete of the Year award, and her national profile will surely only grow in the years to come.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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