The women’s college basketball world has a new shining star – and her name is JuJu Watkins. The freshman guard put together a season for the ages at USC, etching her name in the record books and earning a slew of national awards. Watkins’ sensational debut has many already predicting future WNBA superstardom.
A Season of Shattered Records
Donning the cardinal and gold, Watkins wasted no time announcing her presence. The 6-foot-2 Los Angeles native poured in a program-record 32 points in her very first collegiate game. It was a sign of the fireworks to come.
By season’s end, Watkins had amassed a Division I freshman record 920 points, topping the previous mark that had stood since 1984. Her 27.1 points per game average trailed only Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark nationally. Watkins’ scoring barrage included 14 games of 30+ points, a USC benchmark.
Perhaps her signature performance came in a 51-point eruption at Stanford, the top single-game scoring output by any D1 player this season. Watkins also set a new USC standard with 241 made free throws, showcasing her ability to attack the basket and draw fouls.
Guiding the Trojans to New Heights
Watkins’ electric play elevated the Trojans to their deepest NCAA Tournament run in three decades. USC charged to the Elite Eight behind their freshman phenom, marking just the third time in program history the Trojans advanced that far.
Across the thrilling tournament journey, Watkins displayed her full arsenal – slashing drives, pull-up jumpers, tenacious defense. She joined a select group of only five Pac-12 players to total 750 points, 150 rebounds and 50 steals in a season, cementing her status as an all-around force.
Raking in the Hardware
Accolades rolled in for Watkins all season long. The Pac-12 showered her with 14 Freshman of the Week nods and three Player of the Week honors. By March, the national awards began to pile up:
- Unanimous First Team All-American
- USBWA National Freshman of the Year
- WBCA Freshman of the Year
- Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Nation’s top shooting guard)
- All-Pac-12 First Team
- Pac-12 All-Defensive Team
- Pac-12 Freshman of the Year
The consensus was clear – Watkins had authored one of the greatest freshman seasons in the history of the women’s game. And with three years of eligibility remaining, there’s no telling what heights she may reach.
From High School Hero to Endorsement Star
Watkins arrived at USC as one of the most highly-touted recruits ever. She cleaned up on the high school awards circuit, capturing California Ms. Basketball twice, National Player of the Year honors from Gatorade, USA Today, and MaxPreps, and MVP of the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.
Her immense talent and marketability landed Watkins a landmark multimillion-dollar shoe deal, one of the most lucrative ever for a women’s player. The contract, which will feature Watkins’ own signature shoe line, confirms her status as a burgeoning superstar with a devoted fan following.
International Dominance Offers a Glimpse of the Future
Lest anyone doubt if Watkins’ game would translate to the college level, her international résumé provided a compelling sneak preview. The guard led Team USA to gold at both the FIBA U17 World Cup and U16 AmeriCup, capturing tournament MVP honors each time.
With the Paris Olympics looming in 2024, many envision Watkins playing a feature role on the star-studded Senior National Team. Her speed, scoring prowess and fearlessness in the face of elite competition give her the ideal skillset to thrive on the world stage.
The Sky’s the Limit
After one of the most scintillating freshman seasons in NCAA history, JuJu Watkins has the basketball universe at her fingertips. With a trail of shattered records, national awards, and endorsement riches already in her wake, one can only imagine the encore performances still to come at USC.
WNBA executives are already salivating over Watkins’ pro potential. Most projections tab her as the presumptive No. 1 overall pick whenever she decides to declare for the draft. A tantalizing combination of size, skill, marketability and swagger, Watkins seems destined to become the face of the league and one of the signature athletes of her generation.
As far as what motivates the young star? “I just want to be the best,” Watkins said after USC’s season ended. “I’ve got more history to make.” Spoken like a true freshman phenom, wise beyond her years yet still scratching the surface of her immense potential. The JuJu Watkins era is just beginning – and women’s basketball may never be the same.
