Bueckers, Watkins named among Wooden Award finalists

UConn great Paige Bueckers and USC star JuJu Watkins are among five players selected as finalists for the prestigious Wooden Award on Tuesday.

UCLA center Lauren Betts, Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, and Texas forward Madison Booker are also finalists for the annual distinction celebrating the most outstanding player in women's basketball.

The Wooden All-American team features Kentucky's Georgia Amoore, Florida State's Ta'Niya Latson, LSU's Aneesah Morrow, TCU's Hailey Van Lith, and Hidalgo's Notre Dame teammate Olivia Miles in addition to the award finalists.

Bueckers won the Wooden Award as a freshman in 2021 and is considered the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. Her Huskies are in their 16th Final Four in 17 years. Bueckers is chasing her first national title.

Betts and Booker are also still competing in the NCAA Tournament. Booker and the Longhorns face South Carolina in Friday's first semifinal matchup in Tampa, Florida, while Betts and the Bruins take on UConn in the nightcap.

Watkins has been viewed as a favorite for player of the year honors following a fantastic sophomore campaign with the Trojans. Her season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament due to a torn ACL.

The winner of the award named after legendary UCLA men's coach John Wooden will be announced later in April.