Sarah Strong and JuJu Watkins lead preseason AP All-America women’s team

UConn’s Sarah Strong and USC’s JuJu Watkins headline the preseason AP All-America women’s college basketball team. Strong, the reigning AP Player of the Year, received 30 votes from the 31-member national media panel. She averaged 18.4 points and 7.7 rebounds last season, helping UConn reach the Final Four.

Watkins, who also previously earned AP Player of the Year honors, returns to competition following an ACL injury sustained during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The preseason All-America roster also includes Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes, Texas forward Madison Booker, and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo.