In a highly anticipated announcement, Juju Watkins has been crowned the unanimous ‘Player of the Year’ in women’s college basketball, a title that has sparked a wave of excitement from fans and analysts alike. The Southern California star led the Trojans to an impressive season, showcasing her incredible skills, leadership, and versatility on the court. But as the accolades pile up, the question lingers: Is she truly the best player in college basketball right now, or are we witnessing the rise of a player who’s simply a product of the system she plays in?

Watkins has been nothing short of extraordinary this season. With an average of 22.5 points per game, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, she’s proven that she can do it all. Her ability to score from anywhere on the floor, her athleticism in transition, and her leadership in clutch moments have made her the face of women’s college basketball. She’s the player every fan talks about, the one opposing coaches game-plan for, and the one who’s expected to lead USC to the NCAA tournament’s later rounds.

But is she really the unanimous choice for Player of the Year, or is there more to the story?

The Case for Juju Watkins

First and foremost, it’s hard to argue with Watkins’ numbers and the impact she’s had this season. She’s led USC through a challenging schedule and kept them in the national conversation. Her performances have often been a spectacle, from her 35-point game against top-ranked Stanford to her triple-double against UCLA that sent shockwaves through the basketball community.

What’s been most impressive about Watkins is her ability to dominate in a variety of ways. She’s not just a scorer; she’s a complete player. Her vision and passing have improved dramatically, and she’s shown a real understanding of how to create opportunities for her teammates. On top of that, her ability to rebound, especially on the defensive glass, has allowed USC to run and gun, taking advantage of fast-break opportunities.

Beyond the stat sheet, Watkins has been a leader on the court. She’s a vocal presence, rallying her teammates when the game is on the line. She’s shown maturity beyond her years, playing like a seasoned veteran even though she’s still a sophomore. Her leadership and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have made her one of the most reliable and respected players in the country.

Her unanimous Player of the Year award is well-deserved based on her on-court performance, her impact in key games, and her ability to consistently raise her game when needed. There’s no question she’s one of the most talented players in women’s basketball today.

The Critics: Is She Really the Best?

Despite her accolades, some critics argue that the unanimous Player of the Year title may have been awarded more due to her name recognition and hype rather than a truly dominant season. While her numbers are undeniably impressive, there are other players who have arguably had just as significant an impact on their teams and the season as a whole.

Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, and Caitlin Clark are all players who have had standout seasons, and some might argue that they were just as deserving of the Player of the Year title as Watkins. Bueckers, for example, has been a force for UConn despite battling injuries, leading her team to a high seed in the NCAA tournament. Aliyah Boston, the reigning Player of the Year, has once again been exceptional for South Carolina, making a case for herself as the most dominant forward in the country. And, of course, Caitlin Clark, who has been putting up historic numbers at Iowa, has proven herself to be one of the best shooters in college basketball history.

While Watkins has certainly been outstanding, there’s a valid argument that other players have matched or even surpassed her in certain aspects of the game. For instance, while Watkins is great on the offensive end, her defensive consistency has occasionally been called into question. There have been games where her team struggled defensively, and her individual defense didn’t quite measure up to some of the other top players in the country. Defenders like Bueckers and Boston have consistently dominated on both ends of the floor, with their defensive presence playing an equally important role in their teams’ success.

The System Question: Is It About the Team or the Player?

Another factor to consider is the system in which Watkins plays. USC has a talented team, and much of the offense runs through Watkins, allowing her to shine in ways other players don’t have the same opportunity to. For instance, players like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are in high-pressure systems where the load of the offense doesn’t always fall as heavily on their shoulders. While this can’t take away from their individual brilliance, it’s worth questioning how much of Watkins’ success is a result of playing in a system that’s designed to maximize her strengths.

This isn’t to say that Watkins isn’t talented—she absolutely is—but the level of competition she’s faced in the Pac-12 has been softer than what players like Clark have had to deal with in the Big Ten. The Pac-12 has improved, but the competition level still hasn’t reached the same intensity as that of the SEC or Big Ten, and that may affect the way we evaluate Watkins’ impact on the game.

The players in other conferences, particularly Clark, have had to fight through tougher opponents consistently, and that could be a factor when evaluating whether Watkins truly stands out as the best in the country.

The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters

At the end of the day, though, it’s clear that Juju Watkins is one of the top players in women’s college basketball. The fact that she won the Player of the Year award unanimously is a testament to her talent and the way she’s captured the attention of fans, coaches, and analysts alike. Whether or not she’s the “absolute best” is subjective and open to debate, but the conversation around her success highlights just how competitive and exciting the landscape of women’s college basketball has become.

Watkins has proven herself to be a major talent and a future star in the sport, and her Player of the Year award is a reflection of that. Even if she isn’t the consensus “best” player for everyone, there’s no denying that she’s an extraordinary player who will continue to make waves in the coming years, both at USC and potentially in the WNBA.

Is Juju Watkins the true Player of the Year? While the answer may differ depending on who you ask, there’s no doubt that her journey is just beginning, and she’s poised to be a dominant force in women’s basketball for years to come.