JuJu Watkins: The Rise of a Basketball Prodigy
Judea Skies "JuJu" Watkins, born on July 15, 2005, has rapidly ascended to become one of the most prominent figures in American college basketball. Her journey from a park league player at age seven to a national sensation is a testament to her dedication, skill, and impact on the sport. Watkins' career is marked by numerous accolades, record-breaking performances, and a relentless drive to excel.
Early Life and High School Career
Watkins began her basketball journey in a park league at the age of seven, setting the foundation for her future success. She honed her skills by training with former National Basketball Association (NBA) assistant coach Phil Handy and emulating the playing style of Arike Ogunbowale.
Windward School and Sierra Canyon School
As a freshman at Windward School in Los Angeles, Watkins quickly made her mark, averaging 21 points and nine rebounds per game. Her outstanding performance led the team to the CIF Southern Section Open Division title game and the regional final, showcasing her early potential and leadership.
Before her junior year, Watkins transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, a move that further elevated her career. During her junior year, she averaged 25 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, leading Sierra Canyon to an Open Division state title and a 30-2 record. Her exceptional play earned her the title of California Gatorade Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball. She also received player of the year honors from the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News, solidifying her status as a top high school player.
In her senior year, Watkins continued to dominate, averaging 27.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. She guided Sierra Canyon to the CIF Southern Section Open Division title, a 31-1 record, and the regional final. A defining moment of her senior year was when she scored a career-high 60 points in an 88-39 victory over Notre Dame High School, marking the second-most points scored in a game in area history. Watkins was named Gatorade National Player of the Year and Naismith Prep Player of the Year, along with repeated honors as California Gatorade Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball.
Read also: The Story of JuJu Watkins
Recruitment
Watkins was highly regarded as a five-star recruit and the number one player in the 2023 class, according to ESPN. Her talent and potential attracted significant attention from college programs nationwide. Ultimately, she committed to USC, marking a significant milestone in her career.
College Career at USC
Freshman Season (2023-2024)
Watkins made an immediate impact in her debut game on November 6, 2023, scoring 32 points in an 83-74 upset win over AP No. 7 Ohio State. This performance set a USC record for points in a freshman debut, surpassing Lisa Leslie's previous record from 1990. On November 22, she recorded her first double-double with 31 points and 12 rebounds in a 71-70 victory over Penn State. This game was the first of three consecutive 30-point games, tying Cheryl Miller for the longest streak in program history.
On January 14, 2024, Watkins scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 73-65 win over AP No. 2 UCLA. A standout performance occurred on February 2, when Watkins scored a career-high 51 points and secured 11 rebounds in a 67-58 victory over AP No. 4 Stanford. This broke the USC single-game scoring record held by Cherie Nelson since 1989 and marked the first 50-point game by an NCAA Division I freshman since Elena Delle Donne in 2010.
Continuing her impressive run, Watkins scored 42 points in an 87-81 win over AP No. 11 Colorado on February 23. This set the single-game scoring record for the Galen Center, USC's home arena, and marked her 11th 30-point game, surpassing Cheryl Miller for the most in a season by a USC player. In the semifinals of the 2024 Pac-12 tournament, Watkins scored 33 points and had 10 rebounds in an 80-70 double-overtime win over UCLA, setting a tournament single-game scoring record for a freshman. Although her scoring was limited to nine points in the final, USC defeated Stanford 67-58 to win its first Pac-12 tournament since 2014.
Watkins led USC to the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA tournament, where she scored 29 points and had 10 rebounds in an 80-73 loss to UConn. Her stellar freshman season earned her unanimous first-team All-American honors and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award. She was also recognized as the national freshman of the year and set the NCAA Division I freshman scoring record, solidifying her status as a rising star in college basketball.
Read also: NCAA Women's Basketball star
Sophomore Season (2024-2025)
Entering her sophomore season, Watkins was named an AP preseason All-American and the Big Ten preseason player of the year. In her season debut on November 4, 2024, she posted 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in a 68-66 win over AP No. 20 Ole Miss. On November 15, Watkins became the fastest USC player to reach 1,000 career points (38 games) and tied for the fourth-fewest games in Division I history to reach the mark, as part of a 22-point effort against Santa Clara.
On December 3, she scored a season-high 40 points and shot 9-of-11 from three-point range in a 94-52 victory over California Baptist, breaking the program single-game record in three-pointers. On December 21, Watkins led USC to a 72-70 win against AP No. 4 UConn, contributing 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists. On January 12, 2025, she posted 35 points on 13-of-15 shooting, 11 rebounds, and five steals in a 95-73 win over Penn State.
A significant highlight of her sophomore year was on February 13, when Watkins led USC to a 71-60 victory over undefeated, AP No. 1 UCLA, recording 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, and five assists. This performance made her the first Division I player in 20 seasons to achieve at least 35 points, five blocks, and five assists in a single game. On March 1, Watkins scored 30 points in a rematch with AP No. 2 UCLA.
Watkins' exceptional performance throughout the 2024-25 season led to numerous accolades. She was named Women's National Player of the Year by the USBWA and Naismith College Player of the Year. Watkins also won the prestigious John R. Wooden Award.
Injury and Setback
In a setback, Watkins sustained a season-ending knee injury in March 2025, requiring surgery. This injury sidelined her for the remainder of the season and the entire upcoming season as she underwent rehabilitation for an ACL injury.
Read also: Discover the story of JuJu Watkins
USC vs. UCLA Game on February 2025
The USC Trojans, ranked No. 4, faced the No. 2 UCLA Bruins in a highly anticipated match where USC emerged victorious with an 80-67 win. The Trojans began strongly and maintained their lead throughout the game, securing the Big Ten championship in their first year in the conference. Despite facing foul challenges, with USC guard Talia von Oelhoffen fouling out, the team collectively stepped up to defeat their cross-town rivals. JuJu Watkins led the Trojans with 30 points.
The Trojans concluded the regular season with an impressive 26-2 overall record and a 17-1 standing in Big Ten conference play, with both of UCLA’s losses attributed to USC.
Game Highlights
Fourth Quarter: USC effectively managed the clock, maintaining their lead and forcing UCLA to commit fouls. Avery Howell contributed two consecutive three-pointers, extending USC's lead to 19 points. Despite von Oelhoffen fouling out, USC maintained control, winning 80-67.
Third Quarter: UCLA improved defensively but struggled with shooting. Iriafen, who had limited playtime in the first half due to foul trouble, made significant contributions in the third quarter. USC closed the quarter leading 64-51.
Second Quarter: USC maintained their lead with a strong performance from Watkins, despite facing foul challenges. Kennedy Smith’s three-pointer early in the quarter propelled USC to a 5-0 run. USC led at halftime with a score of 46-32.
First Quarter: USC started strong, with Watkins scoring 13 points. UCLA narrowed the score, but USC maintained a 23-20 lead.
Pre-Game Analysis
USC entered the game as 4.5-point underdogs on Fanduel Sportsbook, with JuJu Watkins leading the team, averaging 24.2 points per game. The Bruins, with a 28-1 season record, were led by Lauren Betts, averaging 20.0 points per game.
Watkins’ performance in the previous game against UCLA, where she recorded 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, and five assists, set high expectations for this matchup.
International Career
Watkins has also achieved success on the international stage, winning a gold medal with the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico. Her contributions to Team USA highlight her versatility and ability to perform under pressure in international competitions.
Awards and Recognition
JuJu Watkins has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including:
- Gatorade National Player of the Year
- Naismith Prep Player of the Year
- Unanimous First-Team All-American
- Ann Meyers Drysdale Award
- National Freshman of the Year
- USBWA Women's National Player of the Year
- Naismith College Player of the Year
- John R. Wooden Award
NIL Deals and Endorsements
Watkins has capitalized on her growing fame through various Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. She was signed by Klutch Sports Group as their first female athlete client and has secured NIL deals with major brands such as Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm. These partnerships reflect her marketability and influence both on and off the court. Watkins has also invested in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league, indicating her interest in expanding her involvement in the sport beyond her college career.
Personal Life and Influences
JuJu Watkins is the daughter of Robert Neal-Watkins and Sari Watkins and has three siblings: Mali, Dami, and Mar. She emphasizes her family as a primary source of motivation in her basketball career and life. Watkins also values community involvement and philanthropy, carrying on her family's legacy of giving back to the Los Angeles community.
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