The women’s college basketball world is buzzing about USC sensation JuJu Watkins, and for good reason. The electric sophomore guard achieved an incredible milestone on Friday, scoring her 1,000th career point in just her 38th game—tying for the fourth-fewest games needed to reach the milestone in NCAA Division I history.
Watkins, who set the NCAA freshman scoring record last season with 920 points, needed just 80 points entering her sophomore campaign to join the exclusive 1,000-point club. She wasted no time getting there, pouring in the historic points on a second-half jumper against Santa Clara.
Scoring 1,000 points is a tremendous accomplishment for any player, but to do it in just 38 games is absolutely mind-blowing. JuJu is a once-in-a-generation type of talent.
– A USC athletics source familiar with the situation
Fastest to 1,000 in NCAA History
Only three players in Division I women’s history have reached the 1,000-point benchmark faster than Watkins:
- LSU’s Maree Jackson (1975-77) – 37 games
- Oregon State’s Carol Menken (1978-80) – 37 games
- New Orleans’ Sandra Hodge (1980-82) – 37 games
Watkins shares the 38-game mark with Weber State’s Kathy Miller and Delaware legend Elena Delle Donne. Other notable names who reached 1,000 in a flurry include:
- Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State – 41 games
- Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M – 44 games
- Caitlin Clark, Iowa – 40 games
Chasing Cheryl Miller’s Legacy
While Watkins is undoubtedly thrilled to join such elite company, she still has a way to go to catch USC’s all-time leading scorer Cheryl Miller, who tallied 3,018 points in her illustrious career. Miller reached the 1,000-point plateau in 48 games.
However, if Watkins maintains her current pace, she could shatter Miller’s program scoring record by the end of her junior season. Through 38 games, Watkins is averaging a scorching 26.3 points per game.
The sky is truly the limit for JuJu. She has all the tools to become one of the greatest scorers in college basketball history. Cheryl Miller’s USC record is certainly within reach.
– A person with knowledge of the USC program
Leading the Trojans to New Heights
Watkins’ individual brilliance has the third-ranked Trojans dreaming of a national championship. USC is off to a blistering start this season as they chase the program’s first title since 1983 and 1984, when Miller powered the Trojans to back-to-back crowns.
With Watkins leading the charge and the Trojans surrounding her with a talented supporting cast, USC has all the ingredients to cut down the nets in April. And if they do, Watkins will surely be at the center of it all, likely shattering more records along the way.
As great as JuJu is individually, what makes her truly special is how she elevates her teammates. She’s the type of transcendent player who can carry a team to a championship.
– A close observer of PAC-12 basketball
So buckle up college basketball fans, because the JuJu Watkins show is just getting started. And with history already in her rearview mirror, there’s no telling what astonishing feats the USC super sophomore will achieve next.
