Sensational USC freshman JuJu Watkins led the Trojans to a stirring revenge win against the previously unbeaten and then-No. 2 UCLA Bruins as she poured in 32 points to overwhelm their crosstown rivals 73-65.
The UCLA Bruins beat the USC Trojans 71-64 two weeks previously, and Watkins took it personally. Although she missed all six of her 3-point attempts and only shot 8 of 22 from the field, she drained all 16 of her free-throw attempts. USC (13-1) moved up to No. 6 in the rankings, while UCLA (14-1) fell to No. 5.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant acknowledged the stirring performance by JuJu Watkins on his Instagram stories:
“Another day at the office @jujubballin,” he wrote.
Kevin Durant caption
The extraordinary season of JuJu Watkins
Juju Watkins is having a stellar season, and the 32-point effort was her sixth 30-point game and third double-double this season.
She won her record ninth Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award. Averaging 26.1 points per game ranks her No. 2 in the country just behind Iowa’s relentless star Caitlin Clark.
Her feats this season have landed her on the top 25 John R. Wooden Award watch list.
“I think we’re headed for some unprecedented things,” USC coach Gottlieb said after the watch list was announced. “She handles all of this with such grace. We try to do a good job of allowing her to be her, which is different and special, but also shielding her from some extra stuff. We’re constantly kind of updating that plan as we go.”
She was also full of praise for Watkins after the game against UCLA.
“She’s a winner,” Gottlieb said. “She just goes all out all the time, puts her body and emotional spirit on the line. … She’s something else.”
After the game, JuJu Watkins revealed where she got her motivation for the clash.
“I fed off my teammates’ energy,” Watkins said. “You just want to be a part of that. On the defensive end, we played a great game. The whole team did it.”
The college basketball world knows about Watkin’s talent, but now others seem to be taking notice. After watching USC play against UC Riverside, L.A. Lakers star LeBron James, whose son plays for the men’s team, also heaped praise on her.
“She’s the next greatest thing in women’s basketball,” James said.
With the emergence of JuJu Watkins, it seems as if women’s college basketball’s future is safe after stars like the record-chasing Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese depart for the WNBA.
News
WATCH: Travis Kelce GROOVES to girlfriend Taylor Swift’s “LOVE STORY” during party in Sin City with Patrick Mahomes
Kelce was recently spotted at Swift’s Sydney leg of Era’s tour. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (Via Imago/X) The Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is in the mode of…
WATCH: Patrick Mahomes, who is married to Brittany, BACKS OUT when a random woman TRIES DANCING with him at Vegas club
Travis Kelce was also present at the scene. Patrick Mahomes was spotted in a club in Vegas (via Imago/ Screengrab on X) Patrick Mahomes is not just a…
Travis Kelce BREAKS Rule No.1 of dating Taylor Swift as tight end is CAUGHT on camera clicking photos with female fans (VIDEO)
Travis Kelce BREAKS Rule No.1 of dating Taylor Swift as tight end is CAUGHT on camera clicking photos with female fans Swift had prohibited Kelce from being…
Taylor Swift fans slam ‘INAPPROPRIATE’ X-rated lyrics during Australian leg of her Eras tour
Taylor Swift fans have shared their shock over some X-rated lyrics during the Australian leg of her Eras tour. The global megastar, 34, has been performing to sell-out…
Coaches involved in Cam Newton fight reveal what caused viral brawl with former NFL QB: ‘NOBODY’S GOING TO LET YOU GO AROUND DISRESPECTING’
Two of the men involved in the mass brawl with Cam Newton which has gone viral on social media have broken their silence on the fight –…
WATCH Travis Kelce’s dad Ed hits back at former reality star after she CLAIMED Chiefs star’s romance with Taylor Swift would not last: ‘Who TF is this troll?’
Travis Kelce‘s father Ed has branded reality TV star Bethenny Frankel a ‘troll’ after the reality star cast doubt on Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift. Frankel, who is best known for appearing…
End of content
No more pages to load