Juju Watkins has been in the spotlight for some time. When she joined the USC Trojans, she was quickly recognized as one of the best players in the country due to her playing style and production. Watkins is performing well on the court, with her collegiate stats comparable to Caitlin Clark‘s. Watkins’s 29 points against UCLA meant she surpassed Clark’s total of 1,602 points in her first two seasons (62 games) at Iowa. This season, the 19-year-old is averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 31 games. When she joins the WNBA in the 2027 season, she will be one of the faces of the league alongside Clark, A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese. Let’s delve into why she may known as one of the best college prospects ever.
Juju Watkins is a Star In The Making
Lethal Offense
One of Watkins’s biggest strengths is her scoring prowess. As a freshman, the 6’2″ guard averaged 27 points while shooting 44 percent from the field. Her freshman season included a statement game against Stanford, where she scored 51 points. Her numbers are not a surprise as she can shoot the three, destroy opponents with her midrange game, and finish up at the rim.
These attributes make the 19-year-old one of the most complete female basketball players in the world. Being so difficult to stop going downhill makes her a walking bucket. It is hard to believe that she went on a scoring slump earlier in the season. If she can help the USC Trojans win an NCAA Championship, she will be in the same category as Candace Parker and Maya Moore.
Impactful Defense
Juju Watkins defensive impact deserves the same attention as her offensive impact. She contributed to USC having the 3rd best defense in college basketball behind Mississippi and West Virginia when she led the Trojans in steals and blocks. It is not a surprise that she more than held her own against Paige Bueckers, Hannah Hildago, and Deja Kelly. When Watkins guarded them, Bueckers shot 2/9, Hildago 1/2, and Kelly shot 0/2. This shows she is not scared of matching up with the other teams’ best players when necessary.
Watkins’ ability to read the floor so well makes her so great defensively. By reading the floor, she can help her teammates whenever they are in trouble. Watkins’ defense is the main reason she is compared to Maya Moore and Candance Parker.
Great Leadership
Finally, Watkins is a well-respected leader. On the court, she helped the team recover from a disappointing loss against Notre Dame at a crucial part of the season. Off the court, she holds herself accountable while wanting the best for her teammates.
The sophomore guard’s leadership skills have been hailed by her teammates and coaches. USC head coach Lindsey Gottlieb says that Watkins can “lock in and get to a zone, raise her level, and galvanize those around her.“ Her ability to lead the team will be more crucial than ever in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
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