In a remarkable turn of events, the AP Player of the Year award has crowned its champions in college basketball, showcasing two extraordinary talents.

On the women's side, USC's sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins clinched the honor with a staggering 29 of 31 votes from the Associated Press panel, reinforcing her status as a rising star in women's basketball.

Meanwhile, Duke's 18-year-old freshman Cooper Flagg made headlines by securing the AP Player of the Year award on the men's side, marking a monumental moment in his young career.

Flagg's performance throughout the season has been nothing short of spectacular. He boasted an impressive average of 18.9 points and 7.5 rebounds, helping propel Duke to a prominent No. 1 ranking in the final AP Top 25 poll.

With his thrilling gameplay and innate scoring ability, Flagg has become a pivotal player in Duke's push toward yet another national championship.

His recognition as only the fourth freshman to win this prestigious award places him alongside legends like Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant, a testament to his exceptional talent.

As further speculation surrounds Flagg's future, it's widely anticipated that he may declare for the 2025 NBA Draft following just one collegiate season.

Duke's head coach, Jon Scheyer, hinted at this possibility after the team’s Sweet 16 match, stating, 'Cooper is about to move on with something incredibly special with the next step he's going to go after this.'

This foreshadows an exciting future for Flagg as he looks to follow in the footsteps of the game's greats.

On the women's side, JuJu Watkins had an equally impressive campaign, wrapping up a stellar sophomore year with an average of 23.9 points and 6.8 rebounds over 21 games.

However, her hopes of leading USC deep into the NCAA Tournament were dashed after suffering a torn ACL against Mississippi State.

Despite her injury, Watkins has established herself as a top WNBA Draft prospect, though she will have to wait until she graduates or turns 22 years old to enter the draft.

Once recovered, she is expected to be a top pick, solidifying her spot among elite players.

In a unique first, the AP coaching award also ended in a tie, with both Bruce Pearl of Auburn and Rick Pitino of St. John's sharing the honor for their exceptional seasons.

Pearl's leadership guided Auburn to a 32-5 record and a No. 4 rank, while Pitino's turnaround of St. John's resulted in a 31-5 record after a lackluster previous year.

Despite their strong regular-season performances, both teams faced early exits in the NCAA tournament, underscoring the unpredictable nature of March Madness.

As Cooper Flagg and JuJu Watkins bask in their well-deserved accolades, the world of college basketball eagerly anticipates their next moves, whether it’s continuing to dominate at the collegiate level or making the leap to professional success.

Keep an eye on these sensational athletes—their journeys are just beginning!