Few players in college basketball manage to captivate audiences like JuJu Watkins has this season. The USC Trojans’ superstar sophomore has been a driving force behind her team’s impressive success, solidifying her as a frontrunner for National Player of the Year.
As her performances continue to dazzle, an incredible comparison has surfaced that places Watkins in the same conversation as one of the greatest players to ever step on the court: Maya Moore.
JuJu Watkins Draws Legendary Comparison Amidst Dominant Season
According to a tweet from On Her Turf, analysts and fans have been comparing Watkins to the former UConn Huskies legend.
Juju Watkins is drawing comparisons to Maya Moore through her playmaking and leadership on the court. 👏 pic.twitter.com/4RKZ2lcyyD
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) March 6, 2025
“That’s all it took really was the chemistry, and it’s coming at the right time. I mean, USC is playing so well right now. JuJu playing so well right now. And the biggest flex for her right now are these comparisons with her and Maya Moore.”
She also added:
“Like, they’re comparing her to Maya Moore a lot, and I see it. When you look into the details, the games are a little bit different, but overall, their impact—her impact on a game—is the same as Maya Moore. When you talk about the steals, talk about the three-point field goal percentage, the block shots—I mean, it’s very comparable.”
This recognition is no small feat, as Moore remains one of the most accomplished players in the history of women’s basketball. She won two NCAA Championships at UConn, four WNBA Championships with the Minnesota Lynx, and an Olympic gold medal, cementing herself as one of the all-time greats.
Despite experiencing what she described as a scoring slump earlier in the 2024-25 season, Watkins has exploded back into top form. She delivered back-to-back 30-plus-point performances in USC’s two critical regular-season victories against their archrival, the UCLA Bruins. Those wins secured the Trojans’ top seed in the Big Ten Conference Tournament and further solidified Watkins’ place among the best players in the nation.
While individual accolades and comparisons to basketball legends are meaningful, Watkins’ primary focus remains on one goal: winning a national championship. Few understand the effort required to achieve that feat better than Moore, who guided UConn to back-to-back national titles in 2009 and 2010.
Maya Moore Breaks Down What Makes JuJu Watkins Special
Moore recently appeared on SportsCenter to discuss women’s college hoops, and she took a moment to share her thoughts on Watkins’ electrifying play. Moore praised the USC star’s versatility, physical strength, and leadership potential.
Maya Moore is a big fan of Juju Watkins 👀 ✌🏽
“Looks like she takes really good care of her body… to be able to do different things on the court. I think that was one of my strengths. There really wasn’t an area of the game that I couldn’t be pretty effective in. And so she’s… pic.twitter.com/C03TJ0aD4h
— Vanshay Murdock 🎥🎥 (@VanshayM) March 7, 2025
“JuJu, first of all, just her physical body, it looks like she takes really good care of her body to be strong, to be able to move, to be able to do different things on the court,” she said. “I think that was one of my strengths. There really wasn’t an area of the game that I couldn’t be pretty effective in.”
Moore also highlighted Watkins’ two-way impact, noting her ability to contribute on both ends of the floor.
“And so she’s got the full package that way, of looking like she cares about defense,” she said. “Obviously still areas to grow in all categories, but just offensively, she’s a bucket. I enjoyed scoring, just like JuJu does. So if she can continue to try to bring that joy, try to continue to be a leader, the sky is the limit.”
Finally, Moore emphasized the natural talent and competitive spirit that makes Watkins a must-watch player.
“But she’s smooth,” she said. “She’s smooth, as well. Love watching her game. She’s a competitor.”
KEEP READING: How JuJu Watkins’ Family Mantra ‘Don’t Move, Improve’ Inspired Her Game
With March Madness around the corner, all eyes are on Watkins and the Trojans as they prepare to make a deep postseason run. Moore has already taken notice. The rest of the basketball world won’t be far behind.
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