USC's Jazzy Davidson Named WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year

USC's Jazzy Davidson Named WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year

April 01, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Davidson earns another national honor after historic debut season for the Women of Troy

PHOENIX – USC standout freshman Jazzy Davidson has been named the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year presented by Adidas, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today, adding to an already historic debut season for the Trojans.

Davidson's selection further solidifies her status as the nation's top freshman, adding to her U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Tamika Catchings National Freshman Player of the Year honor earlier this season, along with National Freshman of the Year recognition from The Athletic. She joins JuJu Watkins as the only Trojans in program history to claim all three national newcomer of the year honors.

Davidson led USC to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament and delivered a record-breaking postseason debut, scoring 31 points with six rebounds and five assists against Clemson. In doing so, she 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.

Her all-around production placed her among elite company. Davidson 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 Caitlin Clark. Over the course of the season, she joined a legendary group, including Maya Moore, Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker, JuJu 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.

Davidson closed her freshman 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 also ranking among the national leaders in both categories. She also led USC 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 20-point performances and two 30-point games, highlighted by a career-high 32-point outing against No. 10 Ohio State.

Her standout play earned her Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors along with First-Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Defensive Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team recognition. A unanimous selection to both the All-Big Ten and All-Freshman teams, Davidson was the lone freshman named to both the All-Big Ten and All-Defensive squads.

From her collegiate debut to clutch late-game performances, including a game-winning basket against No. 9 NC State, Davidson consistently delivered on both ends of the floor. With both WBCA and USBWA National Freshman of the Year honors now to her name, Davidson solidifies her place as one of the most impactful freshmen in USC history and one of the brightest rising stars in women's college basketball.

ABOUT THE WBCA FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
The WBCA Freshman of the Year award honors the top NCAA Division I freshman or redshirt freshman in the nation. All conference freshman players of the year are considered for the award, while conferences that do not select one may nominate a player for consideration.