Jul 15, 2005
Cancer
United States
19 years old
N/A
N/A
Basketball Player
JuJu Watkins: USC's Rising Star and Trailblazer in Women's Basketball
🧍 Personal Background
Full Name: Judea Skies "JuJu" Watkins
Date of Birth: July 15, 2005
Age: 19 (as of April 2025)
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Position: Guard
College: University of Southern California (USC)
Jersey Number: #12
Family: Youngest of four children to Robert and Sari Watkins
Heritage: African-American; great-granddaughter of civil rights activist Theodore Watkins Sr.
Hometown: Watts, Los Angeles
Social Media: Instagram: @jujuwatkins
JuJu Watkins, a native of Watts, Los Angeles, has rapidly ascended the ranks of women's basketball, showcasing exceptional talent and dedication from a young age. Her family's legacy of community activism, notably through her great-grandfather's establishment of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, has instilled in her a profound sense of purpose both on and off the court.
🏀 High School Career at Sierra Canyon
Watkins attended Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, where she led the Trailblazers to a remarkable 31–1 record during her senior year. She averaged 27.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, culminating in a career-high 60-point performance on Senior Night. Her outstanding play earned her numerous accolades, including:
Gatorade National Player of the Year
Naismith Prep Player of the Year
McDonald's All-American
MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Watkins also represented the United States in international competitions, securing gold medals and MVP honors at both the 2021 FIBA U16 Americas Championship and the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.
🎓 Collegiate Achievements at USC
Choosing to stay close to home, Watkins committed to the University of Southern California, where she made an immediate impact:
Freshman Year (2023–24): Averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, setting the NCAA freshman scoring record and leading USC to its first Elite Eight appearance in three decades.
Sophomore Year (2024–25): Continued her stellar performance with averages of 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Notably, she scored 38 points with 11 rebounds and eight blocks in a victory over top-ranked UCLA. Her season was unfortunately cut short due to an ACL injury sustained during the NCAA Tournament.
Watkins' contributions have propelled USC to significant milestones, including their first Big Ten regular-season title in 31 years.
🏆 Awards and Recognition
Watkins' exceptional play has garnered numerous honors:
Associated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Year (2025)
The Athletic's National Player of the Year (2025)
John R. Wooden Award Winner (2025)
Pac-12 Freshman of the Year (2024)
First-Team All-American (2024, 2025)
She became only the fourth sophomore to receive the AP Player of the Year award since its inception in 1995.
💼 Off-Court Endeavors and Influence
Beyond her athletic achievements, Watkins has made significant strides off the court:
NIL Partnerships: Secured endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike and Gatorade, with an estimated NIL valuation of $576,000.
Entrepreneurship: At 19, became the youngest investor in "Unrivaled," a new 3-on-3 women's basketball league, joining a group that includes Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Phelps.
Community Engagement: Actively involved in community service, reflecting her family's legacy of activism and commitment to uplifting underserved communities.
📈 Career Statistics Overview
Over her two seasons at USC, Watkins has compiled impressive statistics:
Games Played: 67
Points Per Game: 25.5
Rebounds Per Game: 7.0
Assists Per Game: 3.4
Field Goal Percentage: 41.2%
Three-Point Percentage: 32.2%
Free Throw Percentage: 83.6%
She holds the USC record for most points scored in a freshman debut and is the fastest player in program history to reach 1,000 career points.
JuJu Watkins' blend of athletic prowess, leadership, and community involvement positions her as a transformative figure in women's basketball. Her journey from a high school phenom to a collegiate superstar continues to inspire and shape the future of the sport.
