Rephrased: "Juju Watkins, hailed as the Queen of LA, is spearheading a resurgence in women's college basketball."
As January unfolds outside the Galen Center, USC's freshman standout, Juju Watkins, commands attention. Amidst the bustling crowd awaiting the men's volleyball showdown against Harvard, all eyes gravitate towards her. Bathed in the fading sunlight of downtown L.A., iconic photographer Atiba Jefferson captures her essence as she effortlessly exudes style in a knitted cropped gray sweater, cargo pants, and Js. The scene evokes a quintessential California vibe, interrupted only by a sudden shout from a passing car.
"We love you Jujuuuuuu!!!!!!!!"
Now, Watkins truly becomes the focal point. With a humble smile, she brushes off the unexpected outburst, later speculating it might have been a teammate playfully teasing her. "I'm not entirely sure," she muses from the team's practice court. "It could've been one of my teammates just messing around. I do get recognized sometimes, but it's not too frequent."
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Indeed, despite her modesty, there's a solid reason why Juju Watkins is dubbed "The Juju Show." Her prominence traces back to high school, where her talent attracted the likes of Chris Brown and 2 Chainz, who attended her games at Sierra Canyon. As the top recruit in the Class of 2023, she garnered admiration from basketball legends such as LeBron James, USC icon Cheryl Miller, and fellow Californians James Harden and Paul George. Her impact is tangible even on the USC campus, where her No. 12 jersey is proudly displayed in the school bookstore.
"I've always envisioned playing for a college that I deeply connect with, and having immense pride in my choice of institution," she reflects. "To finally realize that dream, to have made that decision with confidence—it's truly a dream come true."
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Right by the newsstand, the Daily Trojan catches our eye, prominently featuring a photo of Watkins driving down the court in the sports section with the caption, "USC will need a big game from her to pull off the upset against the Bruins."
And deliver she did. Just days following her SLAM cover feature, Juju showcased her prowess with a double-double performance in a victory over UCLA, captivating a record-breaking crowd of 10,657 spectators. Her remarkable display, totaling 32 points and 10 rebounds, earned her recognition as the Associated Press National Player of the Week and the Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week. Let's not forget, she's merely 18 years old, already embodying the essence of a versatile guard, seamlessly blending scoring and playmaking abilities with a polished style that's undeniably captivating.
Yet, let's indulge in a moment of speculation. Actually, scratch that—let's fully embrace it. It's a common practice in the sports realm to anoint promising young talents as the next big thing, much like LeBron James was dubbed "The Chosen One" during his high school days. Even he acknowledges Juju's potential, declaring her as the future of women's basketball in the Los Angeles Times.
As she spearheads a resurgence in L.A. basketball and heralds a new era of freshman stardom, Watkins embodies the essence of why women's sports deserve fervent support and investment—not merely for its importance, but for the sheer excitement and uniqueness it brings.
"I believe women's basketball is in a perpetual state of evolution, and to be a part of that journey, to be in the mix, is a profound honor," Watkins reflects.
Just three years ago, we found ourselves in the gym with a 15-year-old Juju and her father, Robert, capturing a glimpse of her daily routine in a "Day in the Life" documentary. Hailing from the Watts neighborhood, Watkins exhibited extraordinary talent from a tender age, dropping 30 points on the court at just 6 years old. So dominant was she that during one game, a younger boy resorted to physically lifting her off the court, unable to contain her prowess. Even during one-on-one matchups with her father, Robert noted her competitive spirit, recognizing her potential when she displayed frustration.
"That's when I knew she had it," he reminisced. "When she started getting mad."
Today, Watkins retains that fiery passion but has honed it into a competitive drive that defines her every performance on the court. She acknowledges a transformation when she plays, contrasting starkly with her laid-back demeanor off the court. "Honestly, I believe basketball brings out another side of me," she reflects. "I'm very mellow away from the court. Sometimes it's overwhelming. The yelling, the intensity—that's not really me."
The world witnessed this intensity firsthand during her college debut against Ohio State, where amidst a stellar 32-point performance, Watkins displayed unbridled excitement with every tough layup, punctuated by celebratory claps and screams. Her record-breaking freshman debut, surpassing Lisa Leslie's scoring record, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Despite initially setting modest expectations for herself, Watkins quickly adjusted, setting higher goals while emphasizing the importance of enjoying the game.
Within just six games, she shattered yet another record held by Leslie, notching the most 30-point games by a USC freshman in program history. Guiding the Trojans to an undefeated record of 6-0 and their highest AP Top 25 ranking in nearly three decades, Watkins left an indelible mark on the court. An astonishing statistical feat further cemented her legacy, placing her in elite company alongside LeBron James as one of the few players in the last 20 years to achieve such remarkable numbers over a six-game span.
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At present, Watkins boasts an impressive 26.1 points per game, trailing just behind Caitlin Clark for the highest scoring average in the nation. For Juju, establishing a winning culture at USC has always been a primary objective.
"I believe in instilling a winning culture here at SC. That's what matters most—ensuring that when my teammates and I depart, USC continues to thrive," she emphasizes. "My aim is to elevate L.A. women's basketball, representing the West Coast and my roots in Watts."
Legacy resonates deeply within the Watkins family: Watkins Memorial Park honors her great-grandfather, a local civil rights advocate who founded the Watts Labor Community Action Committee. Juju's upbringing revolved around playing either in her family's backyard or at the Watts gym, named after her great-grandfather. Both her parents, Robert and Sari, were high school athletes who instilled in her the drive to excel in everything she pursued. Her middle name, Skies, reflects their aspirations for her, echoing the sentiment expressed by Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller, who once declared, "The sky's the limit" for Juju, according to the Associated Press.
"My mom admired Lisa and Cheryl; she grew up during their era," Watkins reveals. Watching the "Women of Troy" documentary with her mother, she gained insight into the profound influence of players like Miller, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, and fellow L.A. native Tina Thompson, finding them "inspiring" then and now. "It's truly a sisterhood here," she reflects. "I cherish the fact that I can reach out to them anytime, and they're there for me. It means a lot."
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