ESPN
Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 05:43 PM2 min readVerified Wire
Sarah Strong & JuJu Watkins Headline Preseason AP All-America, Signaling New Era in Women's Hoops
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Sarah Strong of UConn and JuJu Watkins of USC were named to the preseason Associated Press All-America women's college basketball team released Thursday, cementing their status as the sport's most decorated returning stars.
The selection underscores a shifting power dynamic in women's college basketball, where UConn's dynastic presence continues alongside the ascendant force at USC. Both players captured the AP Player of the Year honor in each of the last two seasons, a rare feat that highlights their sustained excellence. The preseason All-America team, a tradition spanning decades, serves as both a benchmark for individual achievement and a preview of the conference races and national title aspirations ahead.
ESPN analysts noted the selection reflects both individual brilliance and team context, with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma praising Strong's versatility and USC's Lindsay Gottlieb highlighting Watkins' court vision. Having two of the nation's most dynamic players recognized before a ball is even tipped speaks to their impact on and off the court, said one conference commissioner. Watkins dedicated the honor to her teammates, while Strong emphasized the responsibility of carrying UConn's tradition into a new era.
As the 2024-25 campaign tips off, the duo will be under a microscope like never before, with every game scrutinized for how their teams translate regular-season dominance into postseason success. Both are projected as top WNBA draft prospects, and their presence on the court is expected to drive viewership records and attendance spikes across the sport. Conference opponents will likely game-plan specifically to contain their star power, potentially reshaping strategic trends across the league. The AP All-America nod is merely a prologue to a season that could further cement their legacies and elevate the national profile of women's college basketball.