JuJu Watkins: The Rising Star of NCAA Women’s Basketball
JuJu Watkins, the standout shooting guard for the University of Southern California, has swiftly become a household name in women’s basketball. The daughter of two former college basketball athletes, Watkins shattered multiple records in her freshman season. She was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week twelve times, broke Lisa Leslie’s 30-point game record, and surpassed Caitlin Clark’s NCAA freshman scoring record, leading the Trojans to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades. Recently, she was honored as the Best Breakthrough Athlete at the ESPYs.
Watkins has successfully leveraged her name, image, and likeness (NIL) for numerous endorsement deals, with her NIL valuation standing at $417K, according to On3. Balancing her roles as a student-athlete and brand ambassador, Watkins maintains a rigorous schedule. Her day starts with a 7 a.m. workout, followed by classes until 1 p.m., then training sessions and additional classes. “By the time I get home, I’m very ready to call it a night and get some much-needed rest,” Watkins shared. To prepare for games, she relies on a ritual of deep breaths and listening to her favorite music to relax and center herself.
Despite the media attention and comparisons to other great players, Watkins remains humble. “I think there are always others and there are so many great players in college basketball,” she said. “My peers are a talented group, glad to be a part of that conversation, but honestly, I don’t think I hold any sole responsibility for it, cause there’s so many ways to distribute that.”
Watkins has looked up to WNBA stars like Candace Parker since childhood and is enthusiastic about the growing interest and investment in the WNBA. She is collaborating with Meta AI, a tool within Instagram and Facebook, to provide fans with insights into women’s sports. “It can be used for new fans and old fans to build more traction and give them another eye into the sport that they love,” Watkins explained. Meta AI offers insights into training regimens, nutrition plans, and other critical information for young, aspiring athletes.
Watkins is passionate about giving back to her community. “I hold my community so dear to my heart,” she said. “They pour so much into me to help me become the person I am, so any time I am able to help my community and younger girls who are aspiring to be on the same stage as me, I take it.” Last season, she arranged for buses to bring students to games, emphasizing the importance of representation.
Balancing basketball, school, and personal life, Watkins makes time for family and friends. “I try to squeeze in my alone time as much as I can, go shopping or watch a movie with my friends,” she said. Attending USC, in her hometown of Los Angeles, allows her to stay connected with her support network. “Honestly, I think home is where the heart is, the teammates and coaches are great,” she said. “Every time I step out on the court with my teammates, with my coach, I know they have my back.”
Beyond basketball, Watkins has a keen interest in beauty and fashion, frequently sharing her outfits and wishlists with her 926K Instagram followers. “I definitely want to do something in the beauty industry, cause I think that translates on and off the court,” she added.
As Watkins continues to excel on and off the court, she remains focused on contributing to the growth of women’s sports. “The NCAA has made significant strides by investing more in women’s sports,” she said. “It’s great to witness the 180-degree change and how the culture has evolved for the better. I’m happy to be a part of this positive change.”
