Some debuts create deafening debates. This is exactly what happened when the University of Southern California point guard Juju Watkins stunned everyone with her maiden NCAA performance. She scored a staggering 32 points in her first college basketball game against No. 7 ranked Ohio State. The freshman’s 11-of-18 scoring from the floor with five assists and six rebounds helped the Trojans to win the match by a respectable margin of 83-74.

But very little is known about this new court sensation. Who’s she? And what went into her becoming the heartthrob of college basketball fans? 

Advent of Juju Watkins

With her great-grandfather founding the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Watkins shares a popular lineage. She was born to Sari and Robert Neal-Watkins on July 15, 2005 in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old was a child prodigy and had started taking an interest in basketball when she was only 7 years old. A huge fan of the Dallas Wings point guard Arike Ogunbowale, Watkins emulated her game while training with the Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy.

She started her school basketball at the Windward School in Los Angeles, averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds per game as a freshman. Her stunning display propelled her team to the CIF Southern Section Open Division Finals and the Regional Finals.

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The Los Angeles Times Player of the Year projected a barrage of outstanding performances by averaging 27 points and 12 rebounds per game in her sophomore year.

The 2023 Naismith Prep Player of the Year then transferred to Sierra Canyon High School and led her new team to the Open division State title. She was named the California Gatorade Player of the Year for her significant contributions at an average of 25 points, with 10.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Thus she averaged a double-double during the season. She upped her game during her senior year by averaging 27.3 points with 13.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists, helping her squad clinch the CIF Southern Section Open Division title and get an entry to the regional final.

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In addition to her regular school basketball, Watkins has played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and shared MVP honors. She also got a chance to participate in the Nike Hoop Summit.

Juju as a National Pride

She has also shone during the FIBA Under-17 World Cup and FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship. The 2x Miss Basketball has helped her national team bag the coveted gold medals during both her stints. While she averaged 20 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 steals that got her the MVP honors during the Under-16 Americas Championship, Watkins showed superior player attributes acumulating 13.1 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per match at the Under-17 World Cup.

Watkin’s career highlight off the court happened when she signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Nike, subsequently appearing in an ad with the NBA legend LeBron James and his son and her classmate, Bronny James.

Watkins has all the capabilities to be a big player. Her athleticism makes her a good point guard. Her rebounds are as effective as a power forward. She is an exceptional jumper since she can make a move in the flash of a second.

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For her exemplary skills, she was reviewed as a five-star recruit and the No.1 in the 2023 class. In November last year, she committed to the USC over South Carolina and Stanford. Fans now hope she continues her mind-boggling performances in the coming games, powering her team to the NCAA title.