JuJu Watkins, a rising star at USC, has exceeded even the loftiest expectations set for her. The top-ranked player in the Class of 2023, Watkins recently showcased her talent with a breathtaking performance against Cal Poly, dropping 30 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks.
Her incredible achievement surpassed the legendary Lisa Leslie’s record for the most 30-point games by a USC freshman, all within just six games. Watkins’ remarkable scoring ability has propelled her to be the second-highest scorer in the nation, trailing only Caitlin Clark, the reigning Wooden Award winner. As a result of her outstanding play, Watkins has earned the Pac-12’s Freshman of the Week award three times in just three weeks.
Thanks to Watkins’ contributions, the USC Trojans are off to a scorching 6-0 start and have surged to their highest AP ranking in nearly three decades. The Los Angeles native’s extraordinary talent was on full display from the start, when she scored 32 points in a stunning victory over then-No. 7 Ohio State. And with a slate of games against formidable Pac-12 opponents on the horizon, this is only the beginning of what undoubtedly promises to be a spectacular career.
