ESPN
Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 06:13 PM1 min readVerified Wire
UConn's Strong and USC's Watkins Headline Preseason AP All-America Women's Basketball Team
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Elite collegiate basketball standouts Sarah Strong of the University of Connecticut and JuJu Watkins representing the University of Southern California have claimed the spotlight as headliners for the preseason Associated Press All-America women's basketball squad released on Thursday.
This high-profile recognition places two of the sport's most dynamic competitors at the forefront of the national conversation, uniting recipients of the last two AP Player of the Year honors on the same marquee preseason list. Their inclusion reflects not only their individual brilliance on the court but also the sustained dominance and rising profiles of their respective basketball programs.
According to sports reporting by ESPN, the distinction sets a towering benchmark for the division as analysts and coaches evaluate championship contenders ahead of the season's official tip-off. Observers note that the presence of such transcendent talent elevates the visibility and competitiveness of the entire collegiate landscape.
As the upcoming campaign approaches, all eyes will be fixed on how these premier athletes shoulder massive expectations and guide their squads through rigorous conference play toward the national postseason tournament.