AP Player of the Week: Freshman JuJu Watkins of USC leads Trojans to two big wins
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts after making a 3-point basket in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. Credit: AP/Josie Lepe
The Associated Press national player of the week in women's basketball for Week 13 of the season:
JUJU WATKINS, USC
The 6-foot-2 freshman wing from Los Angeles scored 51 of her team’s 67 points in an upset victory over then-No. 4 Stanford. She added 11 rebounds and four steals in that game. Her point total was the highest by a freshman since Elena Delle Donne had 54 in 2010 for Delaware. Watkins followed up her historic night with a 29-point effort in a win over Cal. It's the second time that Watkins has been honored as the AP Player of the Week.
RUNNER-UP
Caitlin Clark, Iowa. The senior guard moved into second on the NCAA all-time scoring list and now only needs 66 points to pass Kelsey Plum. Clark averaged 36.5 points in wins over Northwestern and Maryland. She also had a season-high 12 assists in the victory over the Terrapins.
HONORABLE MENTION
Aaliyah Edwards ( UConn ), Taiyanna Jackson ( Kansas ), Jewel Spear ( Tennessee ).
Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Watkins scored 51 points. Credit: AP/Santiago Mejia
KEEP AN EYE ON
Katie Dinnebier, Drake. Had the second triple-double in school history with a 19-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist effort against Northern Iowa. She leads the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring at 19.1 points and assists at 6.3. Her triple-double was the 14th in conference history.
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AP voters: Pat Eaton-Robb, Doug Feinberg, Pete Iacobelli, Hank Kurz, Janie McCauley, Joe Reedy, Teresa M. Walker, John Zenor.
UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) looks to shoot while defended by St. John's guard Jailah Donald (5) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Credit: AP/Cloe Poisson
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