Los Angeles is often regarded as the epicenter of dreams, a city where ambition and talent meet to create opportunities for those daring enough to chase them. JuJu Watkins epitomizes this spirit of possibility; as a standout talent in women’s basketball, she is poised to be the next big thing to emerge from the University of Southern California. Her exceptional skills and magnetic presence on the court align perfectly with LA’s dynamic energy, making it the ideal stage for her to shine.
Therefore, it’s only natural that the site of our conversation is in Los Angeles, Watkins’ hometown. As we converse inside of a masterpiece designed and built by Ramtin Ray Nosrati, the sophomore shooting/point guard is rocking her signature bun, coiffed by her mother. She doesn’t need reminding of what she’s achieved in just one year as a Trojan, but a quick refresher of some major honors:
Not to mention, Watkins topped a trio of sophomores listed as preseason All-Americans as she heads into the 2024-25 season, which should undoubtedly give USC an added boost of confidence playing in the Big Ten. Plus, this year, she’ll be joined on the court by Stanford transfer Kiki Iriafen, who joins her on the list of preseason honors and adds an extra force to the talented young team.
Is it fun being JuJu Watkins? I ask her. “Yea, yea, it is,” she responds with a smile.
In just one year, she’s reinvigorated USC’s women’s basketball program. Watkins led the team to a Pac-12 Tournament title over then-No. 2 Stanford and, during the NCAAW March Madness tournament, passed Tina Hutchinson’s 40-year-old record to become the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in NCAA Division I history against the University of Connecticut. Unfortunately, the Women of Troy’s pursuit to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1986 was stopped by the Lady Huskies, who won the Regional 3 final 80-73.
Despite coming up short, Watkins learned a lot from the tournament run.
“The season was so long, so I got to experience a lot, got to learn the ropes a little bit, and I think now I know what to expect and can actually set more goals for myself because I’m more familiar with the space.”
Watkins’ journey to basketball stardom was not one of immediate recognition but rather a gradual unfolding of her phenomenal talent. Born Judea Skies Watkins, the 6-foot-2 star tells me her parents encouraged her to pursue modeling, so it was a shock when they would see her bouncing a ball. Watkins admits it wasn’t until she was 11 years old that she began to understand the depth of her skill on the court. As basketball emerged as both her calling and career, her family began to settle into this new normal.
“I don’t think any of us expected the trajectory of my journey, but we’ve all adjusted together,” Watkins says. “My parents keep me sane in crazy moments, and I don’t know where I would be without them, really. But like I said, we’re all in this together.”
This relaxed demeanor reflects the spirit of her hometown where potential is plentiful, but only the brightest stars shine. Watkins’ current life is a manifestation of aspirations. As her popularity rises, Watkins channels the same charm and determination as Hollywood’s top talent. From how she speaks of the rapport between her teammates, her status as one of college’s best, I only wish as a college student I had the same type of mental toughness.
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Channeling the Trojan Mindset
While her individual skills dominate headlines, Watkins is quick to credit her success to the collective effort and support of her teammates. She frequently acknowledges the indispensable role that her fellow players have in shaping not only her game but also the cohesive spirit of the team. Whether on the court, where their synergy is evident in every play, or off it, where their mutual respect and friendship strengthen their bond, Watkins emphasizes that unity catalyzes their achievements.
Without hesitation, Watkins names India Otto as her best friend and closest confidant. A part of last season’s March Madness roster, Otto played five seasons at USC and enters her first year as Coordinator of Player Engagement with the Trojans.
Otto and I spoke via email about her friendship with Watkins, and she stressed the secret behind their closeness is the mutual respect they have for one another.
“True friendships form organically, and they aren’t one-sided. We are there for one another,” Otto tells me. “She is my best friend in the whole world and has truly become my sister; blood couldn’t make us any closer. … Seeing the humility that JuJu possesses day in and day out, the maturity, gratitude, poise, and wisdom at such a young age is inspiring. The way she lives life is beautifully done. She also doesn’t suffer fools. She is kind and gracious, but she is aware of what goes on around her.”
As for some of Watkins’ best qualities that personify her as a leader on the team, Otto mentioned her poise, confidence, and work ethic, among other attributes anyone would be honored to hear about themselves.
“She is a gym rat. Not because she is supposed to be, but because she loves this game and she is always working to improve. She has that Mamba Mentality for sure,” Otto continued. “She is focused, driven, relentless, and detail-orientated. Most people walk through the world behind the spotlight. JuJu is that unique talent that the spotlight is focused always on her and she handles it with the utmost grace at every moment, all the while lifting her teammates and recognizing the contributions of those around her.
“She would be the first to downplay her own accomplishments to celebrate that of someone else’s. She’s an incredibly special individual, there’s no one like her. She understands that this is a team game, and she wants each of her teammates to be confident in themselves and be the best they can be.”
This focus on collaboration affirms Watkins’ belief that while individual talent is important, it is the shared focus on the task at hand that truly propels a team to greatness.
When asked to describe the team chemistry in one word, Watkins went with family, explaining that they’re all really close with one another, bonded by a common goal to add more banners to the rafters. Everyone is bought into the vision of the program, too. Now, what is that vision?
“I think that everybody has a different version of why they come to SC,” Watkins says, “but as the program, I mean, we’re kind of hot right now with the season that we had. Looking at the trajectory of it, I think we are setting the standard. We’re building a new era of USC women’s basketball, so I think people will be crazy not to be a part of it.”
“I would say my friend group is my team, but it feels like family. I can confidently say that I trust them and I know they have my back on the court and feel the same way off of it as well.”
– JuJu Watkins
Watkins understands the importance of support in her journey, and that’s why she’s intent on giving back to her teammates in meaningful ways. Recognizing the significance of her Nike NIL deal, she decided to uplift those around her by gifting her teammates and support staff new Nike Zoom Vomero 5 sneakers in a Yellow Ochre colorway. This gesture not only highlights Watkins’ gratitude for the collective effort that contributes to their success but also a gentle reminder that success is sweeter when celebrated together.
At the helm of the USC women’s basketball program? Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, tasked with bringing out the best in her star player. Watkins had offers to play at South Carolina and Stanford, but she tells me it was Coach Gottlieb’s persistence that ultimately solidified her decision to play at the Galen Center.
“She’s a great person, she’s super smart and just really everything I was looking for in a coach,” Watkins says. “She definitely pushes me in so many ways, and having that feeling that I can go to her about anything, I think that that’s half the battle. So yea, grateful for her.”
Coach Gottlieb peeled back the curtain for me about what makes Watkins the perfect addition to this team. Even as a recruit, Coach saw greatness in Watkins, obviously as a skilled athlete, but her humility is unparalleled. Not to mention, her star guard is just universally well-liked by anyone who interacts with her.
“I mean, as good as she is as a player and as much attention as she gets, she centers the team, the sport of basketball, me, the program,” Gottlieb explains via email. “And that’s really unique if your singularly kind of talented superstar is really about the team. It allows you to build something special versus just having a good player. And I think that leadership style is that she’s magnetic. People want to play with her.
“The other thing that jumps out is she really is a dog and a winner. She’ll play through injury. She’s tough. She exudes sort of a competitiveness that, again, other people really feed off of. And then I would say that the growth we’ve seen is really her trusting her voice and being a vocal leader as well.”
Forging a New Era
Women’s basketball is hotter than ever, shattering in-person attendance and small-screen viewership records. The WNBA announced a new expansion team since this interview, and the Las Vegas Aces have already sold out of their 2025 season ticket packages.
Even while she was still in high school, Watkins was looked to as the face of the future. At just 19, her calm, collected demeanor gives the impression of someone much older. Having superseded even the wildest expectations in Watkins’ first year, she is ready to take a veteran spot and exude the same leadership qualities she saw in former teammates.
To her credit, many have already packed Galen Center to watch Watkins play, from the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Candace Parker, 2 Chainz, Will Ferrell, and Vanessa Bryant. On No. 4 Stanford’s home court, and versus the winningest coach in the sport in the now-retired Tara VanDerveer, Watkins dropped 51 points on 14-for-26 shooting from the field to lift the No. 15 Trojans over the Cardinal 67-58 in the teams’ final regular-season Pac-12 meeting. Following that showcase, fellow athletes like ex-USC QB and Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams to Watkins’ future teammates or opponents A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Aliyah Boston all sang her praises via social media.
“It’s always crazy seeing somebody famous in the stands and trying to focus, but we try to put on a show as much as we can,” Watkins says.
With A-listers already watching her prominence soar in real time, I ask Watkins if there’s someone missing from the list of stars she’d like to see out in the crowds.
“I just saw Sanaa Lathan at a [Los Angeles] Sparks Game. I’m like, she has to come to a SC game. That would just be so crazy. Just as a fan of Love & Basketball and growing up, that’s my favorite movie. I would be so starstruck if she came.”
Regardless of who shows up to watch her play, Watkins guarantees you’re in for a show. After all, you’re not just watching her. You’re watching the product of a well-run program designed to be one of the most entertaining experiences in college basketball.
Off the court, Watkins’ style and talent have attracted a wide range of brands, clamoring to work with the young star. Earlier this month, Watkins and Nike reportedly agreed to a multi-year contract that will give her one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball. Details haven’t been revealed, but head of Klutch Sports Rich Paul confirmed the extension, which was orchestrated by Watkin’s agent Jade-Li English. She’s also established partnerships with Gatorade, NYX Professional Makeup, and Celsius.
One thing is clear though, whether she is posting up in the paint or posing on set, Watkins maintains her signature cool that sets her apart and serves as the foundation for ongoing success.
Stepping Beyond the Spotlight
While basketball is undoubtedly the main focus of Watkins’ life, she is, after all, a 19-year-old with a range of outside interests that equally enrich her character. Beyond the court, Watkins enjoys exploring her creative side through watching movies and listening to music, which provides her with a necessary balance and an outlet for self-expression.
Within minutes of speaking with her, it becomes more apparent how quickly Watkins has managed to strike a balance between the demands of basketball and a desire to maintain normalcy. Even down to the way Watkins communicates with her team about what to wear, how to style her hair, etc., everyone provides feedback, but she ultimately makes the final decision.
Even between us, you won’t expect lengthy answers that derail the conversation but, instead, thoughtful responses that prove Watkins is already poised to handle the media blitz that awaits her. The aforementioned accolades and NIL agreements only add to her legendary status, but what I noticed in the afternoon spent with Watkins is that she is an elite athlete who radiates humility, wisdom, and incredible comedic timing.
She is also passionate about giving back to her community and has a foundation that serves as a vehicle for honoring that commitment.
“I think that’s one of my main life goals beyond the court is just to help serve others and do as much as I can to make sure that other people have similar opportunities that I was able to have.”
Watkins’ skills have naturally drawn early comparisons to basketball greats. However, she is quick to refute these correlations, emphasizing that while she respects the icons who came before her, she is focused on forging her own path.
“I feel like that’s a conversation for when it’s all said and done,” she tells me. “I don’t like to compare myself to others, especially greats. I just go out there and play to the best of my abilities and add my own swag to it.”
With the city’s resources, her immense talent, and a desire for embrace, Watkins is more than prepared to make waves and inspire future generations, embodying the very essence of LA’s promise to dreamers.
Production Credits
Hair: Sari Watkins
Styling: Marc Desir // Assistant: Vna Gudino
Makeup: Vanessa Rene Artistry
Art Director – Michelle Lukianovich
Producer – Audrey Blackmore
Writer – Vinciane Ngomsi
Story Editor – Griffin Adams
Photographer – Kacie Tomita
Head of Video – Andrea Masenda
Head of Social – Yoni Mernick
Head of Editorial Operations – Bernadette Doykos
Talent Relations – Lorenzo McCloud
Head of Audience Development – Jonathan Wiener
VP, General Manager – Nate Loucks
CMO – Sarah Flynn
Co-Founders – Rich Kleiman & Kevin Durant
