JuJu Watkins: USC’s Basketball Prodigy is the Future of Basketball
Written By: Will Ayers
In the world of women's college basketball, few names shine as brightly as JuJu Watkins. With her electrifying talent, Watkins has not only become a standout player for the USC women's basketball team — in her freshman year, she has also become one of the top collegiate basketball players in the country.
JuJu Watkins' basketball journey began with a passion that quickly evolved into an undeniable talent. Born with a natural gift for the game, Watkins honed her skills on the courts of Los Angeles. Her ability to handle the rock, score at will, and her basketball IQ set her apart early on. Her talents earned her a reputation as one of the most promising basketball prodigies the country has seen since the likes of Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, and Candace Parker.
Watkins' high school accolades are unmatched and read like a basketball superhero. Hailing from Sierra Canyon High, Watkins earned Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year and USA Today HSSA (High School Sports Awards) Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2023. As a junior in 2022, the Los Angeles basketball prodigy was named Gatorade California Player of the Year.
To cap off her illustrious high school basketball career, Watkins led Sierra Canyon to a 31-1 record and the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Open Division title. All while averaging 27.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.
But the story of Juju Watkins is only beginning. She has continued to put up huge numbers in her first year at USC. Usually, a freshman will need time to adjust to college basketball. The competition is fiercer, and the players are more skilled. When you enter college, you are playing against the best players from every high school around the country. But with Watkins, things have picked up right where she left off at Sierra Canyon.
At USC, Watkins has become the linchpin of the USC women's basketball team. Her impact on and off the court is immeasurable, and she has helped transform the program into a formidable force in collegiate women's basketball.
Through the first half of the season, Watkins is averaging 26.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and shooting close to 50% from the field. Not to mention, USA has stormed out of the gates this season to a 9-0 record and a top-10 national ranking. This can be attributed to the elite play from Watkins on both sides of the floor, demonstrating her ability to dominate various aspects of the game. Whether scoring with finesse, making crucial defensive stops, or rallying her teammates, she has proven herself to be a true leader and catalyst for success.
As JuJu Watkins continues to elevate her game at USC and put up historic numbers, her name will begin to reach new heights. With her skill set, charisma, and ability to perform under pressure, Watkins is poised to become one of the future faces of the WNBA. She may only be a familiar name in the basketball stratosphere now, but she is destined to become a household name worldwide.