Strong, Watkins headline AP preseason All-America team — SkimNews
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- Sarah Strong earned 30 of 31 votes for the preseason AP All-America team, building on her 18.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as the reigning AP Player of the Year.
- JuJu Watkins returns from an ACL tear that sidelined her last season, having previously won AP Player of the Year honors as a sophomore in 2025.
- Hannah Hidalgo received 28 votes for the preseason team, following a season where she averaged 25.3 points and 5.6 steals per game as a Notre Dame senior guard.
- Mikayla Blakes led the nation in scoring with 27.0 points per game and earned 27 votes, despite acknowledging her role will shift with more talent joining Vanderbilt.
- Madison Booker tallied 28 votes and helped Texas reach the Final Four for the second straight year, averaging 18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists last season.
Why it matters: Five elite players are positioned to shape the upcoming season, with Strong, Booker, and Hidalgo having deep postseason experience. Watkins’ return from injury adds star power to USC’s lineup, while Blakes’ scoring dominance signals a rising threat in the SEC, altering competitive balance in women’s college basketball.
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