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Top Women’s NCAA Players Honored: JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker Shine

ByCoach

The regular season in women’s college basketball has ended, bringing a wave of excitement. Top conferences have announced their end-of-season awards. Players and coaches have been recognized for their exceptional contributions. Now, the focus shifts to conference tournaments.

ACC Awards: Dominance of Hannah Hidalgo

Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo has had an extraordinary sophomore season. She earned both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the ACC. This rare accomplishment makes her only the third player in ACC history to win both awards in the same season.

Hidalgo’s stats are nothing short of impressive. She averages 24.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.7 steals per game. Her defensive prowess led the ACC in steals and ranked fourth nationally. This played a crucial role in Notre Dame securing a share of the ACC title.

Other ACC Honorees

  • Freshman of the Year: Toby Fournier, Duke
  • Sixth Player of the Year: Dani Carnegie, Georgia Tech
  • Coach of the Year: Wes Moore, NC State

These awards highlight the depth of talent in the ACC. Players like Toby Fournier of Duke made a significant impact in their debut season. Meanwhile, veterans like Dani Carnegie provided crucial bench support for Georgia Tech.

Big Ten Awards: JuJu Watkins Shines for USC

USC’s JuJu Watkins has been a standout performer, earning Player of the Year honors in the Big Ten. Watkins, a sophomore, led the Trojans to the Big Ten regular-season title in their first season in the conference.

She averaged 24.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals, and two blocks per game. This showcased her all-around capabilities on the court. Watkins is also a strong contender for the Naismith Player of the Year award later this spring.

Other Big Ten Honorees

  • Defensive Player of the Year: Lauren Betts, UCLA
  • Co-Freshman of the Year: Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State; Olivia Olson, Michigan
  • Sixth Player of the Year: Janiah Barker, UCLA
  • Coach of the Year: Lindsey Gottlieb, USC

Lauren Betts of UCLA was a dominant force in the paint, leading the Big Ten in blocks. Freshmen Jaloni Cambridge and Olivia Olson made immediate impacts for their respective teams. Meanwhile, Janiah Barker provided valuable minutes off the bench for UCLA. Lindsey Gottlieb’s coaching prowess was evident as she guided USC to a stellar season.

SEC Awards: Madison Booker Leads Texas

Madison Booker of Texas has been named the Player of the Year in the SEC, following her Freshman of the Year accolade in the Big 12 last season.

Booker, a do-it-all sophomore, averaged 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. She also shot 41.7% from three-point range. Her versatility and scoring ability have been instrumental in Texas being ranked No. 1 in the country.

Other SEC Honorees

  • Defensive Player of the Year: Clara Strack, Kentucky
  • Freshman of the Year: Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt
  • Sixth Player of the Year: MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina
  • Coach of the Year: Vic Schaefer, Texas

Clara Strack of Kentucky made an immediate impact after transferring from Virginia Tech, leading the SEC in blocks and defensive rebounds. Mikayla Blakes of Vanderbilt made a strong impression in her freshman season, while MiLaysia Fulwiley provided key contributions off the bench for South Carolina. Vic Schaefer’s leadership was pivotal in Texas’ successful season.

Big 12 Awards: Hailey Van Lith’s Rejuvenation at TCU

Hailey Van Lith transferred to TCU for her final college season and made an immediate impact. She earned Player of the Year honors in the Big 12.

Van Lith averaged 17.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and a career-high 5.4 assists per game. She led the Horned Frogs to their first-ever Big 12 regular-season title. Her veteran presence and playmaking abilities were crucial to TCU’s success.

Other Big 12 Honorees

  • Defensive Player of the Year: JJ Quinerly, West Virginia
  • Freshman of the Year: Delaney Gibb, BYU
  • Sixth Player of the Year: Yaya Felder, Baylor
  • Coach of the Year: Mark Campbell, TCU

JJ Quinerly of West Virginia earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season, showcasing her defensive tenacity.

Delaney Gibb of BYU made a significant impact in her freshman year, while Yaya Felder provided valuable bench support for Baylor.

Mark Campbell’s coaching excellence was evident as he guided TCU to a historic season.

These awards celebrate individual excellence and highlight the collective effort and talent present in women’s college basketball.

As the conference tournaments approach, the stage is set for even more thrilling performances and unforgettable moments.

For more detailed information on these awards and the players who earned them, you can visit the full article on CBS Sports.

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