JuJu Watkins has officially cemented herself as one of the most dominant forces in college basketball. After an incredible season with the USC Trojans, Watkins received the National Player of the Year honor from The Athletic. The USC community erupted with praise, celebrating the sophomore star’s achievements.
JuJu Watkins Leads USC to Historic Season
Watkins delivered a stellar campaign that saw her average 24.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Her leadership on the court played a crucial role in guiding USC to one of its most successful seasons in recent memory. With Watkins at the forefront, the Trojans finished the regular season with an impressive 26-2 overall record and a dominant 17-1 mark in Pac-12 play.
On Thursday, USC’s official Instagram account posted an eight-minute tribute video celebrating Watkins’ journey, highlighting her growth from a highly touted prospect at Windward School in Los Angeles to one of the premier players in the country.
The video featured heartfelt messages from USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb and others who have witnessed her rise firsthand. The USC Trojans’ official X page also shared the video, captioning it:
“Fresh off a Big Ten regular season title, @USCWBB’s JuJu Watkins is ready to help lead the Trojans into postseason play. Rewatch the story of how the legacy of a relative inspired the superstar to stay home!”
“Don’t move… improve.”
Fresh off a Big Ten regular season title, @USCWBB‘s JuJu Watkins is ready to help lead the Trojans into postseason play.
Rewatch the story of how the legacy of a relative inspired the superstar to stay home ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/F9ol0RMTLW
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) March 6, 2025
Watkins reshared the video on her Instagram story, adding two heart emojis to express her gratitude toward the Trojan family. Now, her only motto is, “Don’t move… improve.”
Her impact extended far beyond her statistics, as she led USC to its first regular-season conference championship in three decades. Along with the National Player of the Year recognition, she also earned the 2025 Pac-12 Player of the Year award and secured first-team All-Pac-12 honors, making this a season to remember.
Stephen A. Smith Advocates for JuJu Watkins’ Recognition
Watkins’ meteoric rise has drawn national attention, but some believe she still deserves more widespread recognition. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith weighed in, stating that Watkins should be receiving the same level of praise as Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.
Given her record-breaking freshman campaign — where she averaged 27.1 points per game, second only to Clark in the NCAA — Smith’s argument is hard to dispute.
Meanwhile, one of USC’s fiercest rivals, the UCLA Bruins, has been nearly unstoppable this season—except when facing the Trojans. In a packed Pauley Pavilion last Saturday night, USC decisively defeated UCLA 80-67, clinching the regular-season Big Ten conference title in front of 13,659 passionate fans.
The win marked the Trojans’ fourth consecutive victory over the Bruins and their first at Pauley Pavilion since January 20, 2019.
UCLA managed to keep the game close at certain points, cutting the deficit to three at the end of the first quarter and narrowing USC’s lead to four late in the third.
However, each time the Bruins attempted to mount a comeback, Watkins and the Trojans responded emphatically, regaining control with decisive scoring runs. By the six-minute mark in the fourth quarter, USC had stretched its lead to 20 points, effectively sealing the game.
Once again, UCLA found itself unable to contain Watkins. She dominated the first half, scoring 23 of USC’s 46 points before halftime. Just weeks earlier, she had torched the Bruins for 38 points in USC’s 71-60 victory at the Galen Center.
KEEP READING: Paige Bueckers vs. JuJu Watkins — Who Has the Edge in the Player of the Year Race?
This time around, she finished with 30 points, five assists, three blocks, and two steals, putting on yet another masterful performance.
As USC prepares for the postseason, Watkins remains the driving force behind the team’s championship aspirations. With the momentum of a record-breaking season and the confidence of being named the National Player of the Year, she is set to lead the Trojans on what could be a historic run through March Madness.
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