JuJu Watkins Named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
The Big Ten Conference selected its preseason honors ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 women's basketball season.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Basketball
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JuJu Watkins has been named the 2026-27 Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. The announcement followed selections made by the conference's 18 head coaches and a media panel.
Why it matters
These preseason awards provide an early look at the talent distribution across the conference as teams prepare for the season tip-off. Nine of the 10 recognized players were all-conference selections during the previous season.
The 10-player preseason team includes honorees where nine out of 10 were all-conference selections last season. JuJu Watkins and Olivia Olson were unanimous choices by the 18 head coaches, while Olson and Jaloni Cambridge received unanimous media support.
The players
JuJu Watkins
She is the athlete honored as the 2026-27 Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year.
Olivia Olson
She is a standout basketball player who received unanimous preseason team recognition from both coaches and media.
Jaloni Cambridge
She is a top player who earned unanimous preseason distinction from the media panel.
UCLA
The university program is the reigning national title holder after defeating South Carolina 79-51 in the 2026 NCAA Championship.
Big Ten Conference
This collegiate athletic organization manages competition among member universities and hosts the annual conference tournament.
The details
The Big Ten Conference finalized its preseason recognitions during the lead-up to the official start of competition. The selected athletes were chosen by a panel comprising both league head coaches and members of the media.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: Big Ten Basketball Media Days held in Rosemont, Illinois.
November 2, 2026: The 2026-27 women's basketball season tips off.
March 3-7, 2027: The Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament occurs in Las Vegas.
Season Trajectory
These preseason selections establish the hierarchy for a conference bolstered by the competitive standard set by the 2026 NCAA Championship victory by UCLA, which set the competitive benchmark for current conference programs. The designated honorees will shape the playoff picture as teams compete for seeding in the upcoming tournament.
The recognition of these 10 players serves as a key indicator for fantasy rosters and betting interest throughout the season. Coaches and media unanimous selections like JuJu Watkins, Olivia Olson, and Jaloni Cambridge are projected to be central components of their teams' rotations.
The takeaway
Preseason awards highlight the athletes expected to drive team success throughout the upcoming schedule. Fans can track these players to see which conference stars translate their high expectations into consistent game-day production.
What happens next
The 2026-27 women's basketball season will tip off on November 2, 2026, followed by the Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament scheduled for March 3-7, 2027.
Further reading
Find more analysis on the upcoming season in the Basketball section.
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