USC Freshman Jazzy Davidson Makes NCAA Tournament History

Davidson's 30-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist performance leads Trojans to upset win over Clemson.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:56pm

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Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson led the 9th-seeded USC Trojans to a 71-67 overtime victory over No. 8 Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Davidson became the first freshman in 25 years to post a 30/5/5 stat line in an NCAA Tournament debut, scoring 31 points with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Her clutch three-pointers in overtime helped USC advance to the second round, where they will face No. 1 South Carolina.

Why it matters

USC has been without their superstar JuJu Watkins all season due to an ACL injury, but Davidson has stepped up in a big way to lead the Trojans. Her historic performance in the NCAA Tournament debut shows she is a rising star and the future of the USC program, even with Watkins expected to return next season.

The details

Davidson scored 31 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, recorded 3 steals, and had 1 block in the overtime win. She hit back-to-back three-pointers in the extra period to give USC the lead for good. The Trojans have now won their NCAA Tournament opener in each of the past three seasons.

  • USC freshman Jazzy Davidson made NCAA Tournament history on March 21, 2026.
  • USC will face No. 1 South Carolina in the second round on Monday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Jazzy Davidson

A freshman guard for the USC Trojans women's basketball team who led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks this season.

JuJu Watkins

The superstar player for USC who tore her ACL in last year's NCAA Tournament and has sat out this season to focus on recovery.

USC Trojans

The women's basketball team from the University of Southern California that has made the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons.

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What they’re saying

“Jazzy Davidson should win National Freshman of the Year.”

— JuJu Watkins

What’s next

The 9th-seeded USC Trojans will face the No. 1 overall seed South Carolina Gamecocks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 23, 2026.

The takeaway

Despite losing their superstar player JuJu Watkins to injury, the USC Trojans have found a new star in freshman guard Jazzy Davidson, who made NCAA Tournament history with her dominant performance in the first round. Davidson's emergence shows the Trojans have a bright future even with Watkins expected to return next season, as the team continues to be a fixture in the NCAA Tournament contender pool.