JuJu Watkins is chasing history before the NCAA women's college basketball season even tips off.
The USC star was named one of 20 players on the 2026/27 preseason watch list for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award on Tuesday. That nod puts her within reach of a third award — a feat no shooting guard has accomplished in NCAA women's basketball history.
JuJu Watkins Could 3-Peat NCAA Drysdale Award This Season
Watkins first took home the Drysdale trophy as a freshman, then again as a sophomore, becoming the only two-time recipient since the celebration launched in 2018. Before an ACL tear during the 2025 NCAA Tournament sidelined her for the entire 2025/26 campaign, she swept the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award, and AP Player of the Year too, all while averaging 24.6 points per game.
It's been 580 days since Watkins last worse a Trojans jersey. However, that rust hasn't shown in USC's preseason action. Watkins scored 18 points with three steals and two blocks in her team's 78-76 exhibition win over Cal on October 25th.
Now a preseason shooting guard of the year frontrunner and the Big Ten's Preseason Player of the Year, Watkins opens her official comeback on November 2nd when USC tips off against UNLV.
