Davidson headlines USC Big Ten award winners
Four players were tabbed for Big Ten honors following the conclusion of the season.
By ADRIANA BRADY
Since the season began, star freshman guard Jazzy Davidson was rumored to be a heavy favorite in multiple national recognitions, even making the Naismith College Player of the Year watchlist. Now, she can officially add four new awards and honors to her stellar rookie season resume.
Davidson was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, becoming the first Trojan to receive the honor. She also unanimously earned spots on the All-Big Ten First Team and All-Freshman Team, as well as a spot on the All-Defensive team – nearly sweeping the available honors.
Davidson led all Trojans in every major statistical category this season — the only player in Division I to do so for their respective team — averaging 17.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.1 blocks and 2 steals. She also took home seven Big Ten Freshman of the Week Awards, was named United States Basketball Writers Association National Freshman of the Week four times and was selected for the 2026 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Late-Season Team.
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Senior guard Kara Dunn received an All-Big Ten Second Team honors selection. Dunn’s 15.6 points per game, highlighted by a dominant second half of the season that saw her score 20 or more points in seven straight games, were the second-most on the team. She also averaged 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
Throughout her only season as a Trojan, Dunn surpassed 1,500 career collegiate points, recorded two double-doubles and earned a Big Ten Player of the Week award.
Sophomore guard Kennedy Smith continued her status as a defensive weapon for the Trojans, earning a selection onto the All-Big Ten Defensive team, alongside Davidson. She ranked second on the team in steals with 1.8 to go along with 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Smith posted a career-high six blocks during a win over Illinois on Feb.8, which was the most in a single game for a Trojan.
Sophomore guard Brooklyn Shamblin was named a recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, despite only appearing in 12 games for USC this season. The award recognizes one student-athlete from each team in the conference who has shown hard-work, sportsmanship and honorable behavior, according to the Big Ten.
