Preseason All-Athletic team features Sarah Strong, JuJu Watkins in women's basketball
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 29, 2026, 11:46 AM
Last updated Oct 29, 2026
The 2026-27 women’s college basketball season showcases prominent players including reigning Player of the Year Sarah Strong from UConn and USC’s JuJu Watkins, who aims for a comeback after an ACL injury. The preseason All-Athletic teams were announced by The Athletic on October 29, highlighting returning stars such as Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame and Madison Booker of Texas. Strong, who averaged 18.4 points per game last season, leads UConn, while Watkins, a standout guard, enters her senior year full of potential for USC. Other key players include Joyce Edwards from South Carolina and Mikayla Blakes from Vanderbilt, both expected to make significant contributions. The season tips off on Sunday, with high expectations for returning stars to shape the competitions ahead.
- •Sarah Strong of UConn is the reigning Player of the Year.
- •JuJu Watkins returns to USC after recovering from an ACL injury.
- •Hannah Hidalgo aims for a national championship with Notre Dame.
- •Texas's Madison Booker is on the verge of 2,000 career points.
- •The women's college basketball season begins this Sunday.
- 11:46 AMYahoo Sports — Women’s college basketball preseason All-Athletic team: Sarah Strong, JuJu Watkins and more
"The 2026-27 women’s college basketball season is expected to be headlined by players who aren’t receiving preseason hype based on potential but on their proven credentials. The reigning Player of the Year, Sarah Strong, returns as a junior on a mission to bring another championship to UConn. JuJu Watkins, the expected No .1 WNBA Draft pick should she enlist, is back at full-health for USC. The top three scorers from last season are back, as are the top scorers from three of last year’s Final Fou
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