University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics
USC’s Jazzy Davidson Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
January 27, 2026 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – USC freshman guard Jazzy Davidson has been selected to the Naismith Women's College Defensive Player of the Year Presented by MOLECULE Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday.
Davidson is one of just four freshmen nationally named to the watch list and one of four Big Ten Conference players to earn the distinction.
The Clackamas, Ore., native has quickly established herself as one of the nation's most impactful two-way players. She currently ranks 11th nationally in blocks per game (2.5) and leads the Big Ten in the category, an impressive mark for a freshman guard.
Davidson has delivered several standout performances during her debut season, including a breakthrough outing against Tennessee Tech where she recorded her first career double-double with 20 points (9-of-14 FG) and a career-high 16 rebounds, the most by a USC freshman since Rayah Marshall's performance against Texas Southern on Dec. 18, 2021. She added four assists and two blocks in the win.
Against No. 21 Washington, Davidson posted her second career double-double with a game-high 22 points and team-high 12 rebounds, while also contributing four assists, two blocks and two made three-pointers. She followed with a career-high 24-point effort against Cal, adding four rebounds, four blocks and three triples for her ninth straight double-figure scoring performance.
Davidson continued her defensive dominance at No. 20 Nebraska, finishing with five blocks to go along with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists. The freshman recorded her third double-double against Oregon with 14 points, 13 rebounds (11 defensive), five assists, two blocks and two steals.
Through the season's first stretch, Davidson leads USC in scoring (16.0 ppg), assists (4.0 apg), rebounds (6.4 rpg) and blocked shots (2.5 bpg). She also tops the Trojans in double-doubles (3), double-figure scoring efforts (19) and 15-point performances (10). Additionally, she has led USC multiple times in rebounds (seven), points (six), steals (nine) and blocks (14).
Earlier this season, ESPN ranked Davidson No. 1 in its Dec. 18 women's college basketball freshman impact rankings after also being named the preseason No. 1 freshman.
In addition to her selection to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List, Davidson has been named to both the Wooden Award Midseason Watch List and the Naismith Trophy Watch List.
Davidson is one of just four freshmen nationally named to the watch list and one of four Big Ten Conference players to earn the distinction.
The Clackamas, Ore., native has quickly established herself as one of the nation's most impactful two-way players. She currently ranks 11th nationally in blocks per game (2.5) and leads the Big Ten in the category, an impressive mark for a freshman guard.
Davidson has delivered several standout performances during her debut season, including a breakthrough outing against Tennessee Tech where she recorded her first career double-double with 20 points (9-of-14 FG) and a career-high 16 rebounds, the most by a USC freshman since Rayah Marshall's performance against Texas Southern on Dec. 18, 2021. She added four assists and two blocks in the win.
Against No. 21 Washington, Davidson posted her second career double-double with a game-high 22 points and team-high 12 rebounds, while also contributing four assists, two blocks and two made three-pointers. She followed with a career-high 24-point effort against Cal, adding four rebounds, four blocks and three triples for her ninth straight double-figure scoring performance.
Davidson continued her defensive dominance at No. 20 Nebraska, finishing with five blocks to go along with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists. The freshman recorded her third double-double against Oregon with 14 points, 13 rebounds (11 defensive), five assists, two blocks and two steals.
Through the season's first stretch, Davidson leads USC in scoring (16.0 ppg), assists (4.0 apg), rebounds (6.4 rpg) and blocked shots (2.5 bpg). She also tops the Trojans in double-doubles (3), double-figure scoring efforts (19) and 15-point performances (10). Additionally, she has led USC multiple times in rebounds (seven), points (six), steals (nine) and blocks (14).
Earlier this season, ESPN ranked Davidson No. 1 in its Dec. 18 women's college basketball freshman impact rankings after also being named the preseason No. 1 freshman.
In addition to her selection to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List, Davidson has been named to both the Wooden Award Midseason Watch List and the Naismith Trophy Watch List.
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