USC's Jazzy Davidson Named USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman Player of the Year

Jazzy Davidson Prepares to shoot the basketball

Photo by: Katie Chin/USC Athletics

USC's Jazzy Davidson Named USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman Player of the Year

March 25, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Freshman phenom caps historic debut season after leading USC in every major statistical category and delivering one of the most dominant NCAA Tournament debuts.

LOS ANGELES – USC guard Jazzy Davidson has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Tamika Catchings National Freshman Player of the Year, capping a historic debut season for the Women of Troy.

Davidson becomes just the second Trojan in program history to earn the prestigious honor, joining teammate JuJu Watkins in the USBWA record book. Davidson led USC to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament and delivered a record-breaking postseason debut en route, scoring 31 points with six rebounds and five assists against Clemson. In doing so, Davidson became the first freshman in the last 25 years to post a 30-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist stat line in an NCAA Tournament debut. Her 31 points marked the most ever by a USC freshman in NCAA Tournament play and the second-most by any Trojan in tournament history.

Davidson's all-around brilliance placed her among elite company throughout the season. She became just one of two freshmen in women's college basketball history to total at least 31 points, six rebounds and five assists in an NCAA Tournament game, alongside Iowa legend Caitlin Clark. Over the course of the year, she joined a legendary group of players, including Maya Moore, Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker, Watkins and Sarah Strong as the only freshmen to record at least 500 points, 150 rebounds, 100 assists, 50 steals and 50 blocks in a single season.

The freshman phenom closed her debut campaign with 574 points, 179 rebounds, 132 assists, 64 steals and 63 blocks, averaging 17.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. She was the only Division I player (men's or women's) to average at least 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per contest, while ranking among the national leaders in both categories. Davidson also led USC outright in every major statistical category during the regular season, a feat unmatched across Division I basketball in 2025-26.

Consistency defined Davidson's season, as she scored in double figures in 30 of 32 games, including a streak of 26 straight from Nov. 18 through March 1. She recorded 14 games of 20 or more points and posted two 30-point performances, highlighted by a career-high 32-point outing against No. 10 Ohio State. Her performances on the national stage earned her widespread recognition, including National Freshman of the Year honors from The Athletic and All-America Honorable Mention accolades from both the Associated Press and USBWA.

In conference play, Davidson's impact was equally dominant. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year while also earning First-Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Defensive Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. A unanimous selection to both the All-Big Ten and All-Freshman teams, Davidson was the lone freshman named to the All-Big Ten and All-Defensive squads.

From her collegiate debut where she tallied 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, to multiple double-doubles and game-winning moments, Davidson consistently delivered in key situations. She hit the game-winning basket against No. 9 NC State and posted standout performances against ranked opponents including No. 21 Washington, No. 8 Iowa and No. 10 Ohio State, further cementing her reputation as one of the nation's most dynamic two-way players.

With her selection as the USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman Player of the Year, Davidson not only solidifies her place in USC history, but also sets the stage for what promises to be a remarkable career ahead for the rising Trojan star.

About The USBWA/Tamika Catchings Award
The USBWA has named a national freshman player of the year since the 1991-92 season, with the award officially renamed in 2020-21 in honor of Tamika Catchings. A legendary Tennessee standout, Catchings was a three-time USBWA All-American and the association's national freshman player of the year in 1997-98.