The expected #1 draft pick for 2026, JuJu Watkins, recently felt rejected by a UPS employee. And she didn’t back down from calling it out, like always. Remember when she didn’t mince words while chiming in to answer what the interviewer asked Flau’jae Johnson? Before their OT Select matchup, the interviewer asked, “What’s gotta change from last year to this year to come outta here with a win?” He was referencing Johnson’s loss last year to Team Paige. And here, before Flau’jae could even think, JuJu said, “A lot.”

And those weren’t some empty threats; rather she was actually that confident, and it showed when Team JuJu won that title. So, that’s JuJu Watkins for you: sharp, competitive, and unapologetically bold. And keep in mind that OT Select was just a one-off summer showcase. Yet JuJu treated it like a title game. So if she brings that energy to a pop-up event in Atlanta, imagine how much more personal it gets when someone takes a shot at her NCAA team, right at her own doorstep, deep in USC territory.

Here’s how it went down: A UPS driver left a delivery slip with a quick handwritten note. It said “Sorry JuJu….Go Ducks!” It was a simple jab, but a loaded one. Especially because USC holds the No. 1 spot in the recruiting cycle according to 247Sports and Rivals. While Oregon leads the Trojans by a tenth of a point for the No. 1 spot according to the On3 Industry Rankings. For nearly a decade, the Ducks have consistently pulled top-tier recruits out of Southern California. They often even out-recruited USC in their own backyard.

However, the 2026 cycle has brought a shift. With USC’s new general manager, Chad Bowden, now leading the Trojans’ recruiting charge. The two West Coast rivals are now locked in multiple head-to-head battles for the same elite prospects. In USC’s home territory. With the chances for the Trojans looking better, JuJu Watkins responded with full confidence to the UPS jab. She took it to her Instagram story, posted a picture of the receipt, and wrote on top of it “@UPS we have beef (eyeroll).”  

JuJu’s confidence stems directly from Chad Bowden’s statements, as much as it does from her playmaking skills. “We’re going to do everything through the city,” Bowden said. “We’re going to do everything through the state. That’s going to be our primary focus. Now, it doesn’t mean we’re not going to dip into other states because you have to… Something that we’ve found is back when national championships were won here, when Rose Bowls were won here, you look at Pete Carroll’s classes – 02, 03, 04 – over 80 percent of recruiting classes were from the state of California.”

For Bowden, it’s a Cali-first recruiting strategy. He is basically aiming to rebuild USC’s dominance by focusing on local talent. He is drawing inspiration from the Pete Carroll era, when USC won big by locking down in-state stars. And that does sound promising.

JuJu Watkins isn’t done yet

JuJu Watkins’ exponential growth isn’t just happening on the court. It’s also playing out on screen. NBC’s confirmation of a second season of On the Rise: JuJu Watkins means only one thing. The fans will once again get an inside look at the life of one of college basketball’s most captivating stars. The first season followed her transition from high school standout to the centerpiece of USC women’s basketball. It debuted on Peacock in late 2024.

Season 2 is set to be juicier, capturing moments that show JuJu’s unfiltered personality. From handling shade to navigating fame, the show, executive produced by LeBron James, Rich Paul, and JuJu herself, digs deep into her life as a leader . Expect it to lean heavily into her viral moments and behind‑the‑scenes drama.

It had some candid behind-the-scenes footage of practices, endorsement shoots, and personal moments. The series is executive produced by LeBron James, Rich Paul, and JuJu Watkins herself. It’s aimed at giving the general public a raw glimpse into the pressures of being a teenage phenom under the national spotlight. The exciting part is that the upcoming season is set to dive even deeper. It will track her crucial junior year at USC and her comeback from injury while adding new layers to her already compelling narrative.

The news sparked excitement across social media, but Watkins responded with a silent confidence. She pulled in reported NIL earnings of over $765,000 last year. She’s pretty much reshaping what it means to be a young female athlete in the NIL era. As one of the most prominent figures in women’s basketball, Watkins is crafting a new path for stardom. One that’s fearless, business-savvy, and grounded in realness. And her return, just amplifies that agenda.