JuJu has come to the USC Trojans to play college basketball for the first time, and she gets to take the world by storm. Yes, she is indeed a freshman, but the command with which she rules the court is as if she has been there and done that.
From record-breaking performances to leading her team through the NCAA Tournament, she has already established herself as one of the brightest young stars in women’s college basketball.
How JuJu Watkins Took Over College Basketball Before Injury Struck
Watkins wasted no time making up the difference. Her first college appearance was a scorcher — she scored 32 points against No. 7 Ohio State, earning her a new USC freshman debut record that will hold since Lisa Leslie’s breakthrough 1990 season.
Throughout the year, she kept breaking boundaries with multiple 30-point games, being the rightful linchpin of the Trojans’ offense.
Her most electrifying performance was on Feb. 2, 2024, when she buried No. 4 Stanford under 51 points. It also set the record as the new single-game score for USC and cemented her legacy within the program even further.
Watkins’ Injury and USC’s Tournament Hopes
Just as USC was building momentum in the NCAA Tournament, Watkins suffered a devastating setback—a torn ACL in her right knee. This happened during the second round when the team decimated Mississippi State by a score of 96-59. Despite losing their star player, USC remains focused on its championship aspirations.
Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has expressed confidence in her team’s ability to rally around Watkins’ absence. Some of these stars of the future include Kiki Iriafen, Rayah Marshall, and Talia von Oelhoffen, and their contributions will be vital if the Trojans are going to have any chance of continuing their run into the tournament.
What Future Holds for USC?
USC plays Kansas State in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Even without Watkins on the floor, the Trojans are determined to push forward.
KEEP READING: Can Paige Bueckers or JuJu Watkins Clinch the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year Award?
Sadly, Watkins’ freshman season ended with a bit of an asterisk, but she’s already beginning to make herself known in the record books of college basketball. With her talent, drive, and determination, she is one to keep an eye on for many years to come.
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