In the ever-evolving world of college basketball, JuJu Watkins is the name to know. The USC sensation shattered records last season, putting up more points than a broken scoreboard, yet her dream run came to a screeching halt in the Elite Eight—thanks to Paige Bueckers and her UConn squad. But don’t feel bad for JuJu; she’s not moping around. Instead, she’s “grateful” for all that competition, which, of course, includes Bueckers and other top-tier ballers like Aneesah Morrow and MiLaysia Fulwiley.
Watkins, coming off a freshman year where she basically carried the Trojans on her back (no big deal, right?), is determined to lead USC back to the NCAA tournament, and this time, she wants the whole thing—rings, banners, confetti showers, you name it. In a chat with Andy Katz, she dropped some wholesome humility, saying, “I’m just bought into what we’re doing here at USC every day.”
Cue the eye-roll from her competition. You know that Paige Bueckers, fresh off her own villain arc, is eyeing a rematch. That 80-73 Elite Eight win last year? Bueckers is probably sleeping on it like a feather pillow.
“National Title or Bust”
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Watkins has her sights locked on a national title. She’s not here to make friends (though she’s “grateful” for all that friendly competition). “We’re definitely going to do some damage,” she declared, with an air of confidence that makes her a must-watch this season. She’s circling those calendar dates too, and they’re packed with heavyweight matchups: Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo on Nov. 23, a Paige Bueckers grudge match on Dec. 21, and a clash with Caitlin Clark’s old stomping grounds, Iowa, on Feb. 2. Get your popcorn ready.
JuJu’s Got Backup, Finally
But here’s where things get interesting: Watkins won’t be flying solo this time around. Last year, she was USC’s top scorer in 30 of 35 games, but now the Trojans have upgraded. Enter Kiki Irafen, a Stanford transfer who’s ready to share the spotlight—and maybe some of that scoring load. Irafen, one of the best power forwards in the game, averaged 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds while making 55% of her shots. In other words, she’s the real deal, and now the Trojans have a dynamic duo.
With Irafen on board, Watkins can finally catch her breath, maybe even experiment with some off-ball magic. More versatility, less stress—sounds like a recipe for a deep NCAA run.
The Road to Redemption
As JuJu Watkins prepares for another monster season, it’s clear she’s not just playing for personal glory—she’s playing for revenge, for redemption, and for the shiny national championship trophy that slipped through her fingers last year. She’s not the type to hide behind excuses, though. As she puts it, “I’m excited; competition’s great, which I’m grateful for.”
Grateful or not, Watkins is ready to torch the competition, starting with Bueckers and whoever else dares stand in her way. Expect a season full of highlight reels, buzzer-beaters, and maybe even a little trash talk.
Will USC finally get over the hump and win it all? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: JuJu Watkins isn’t here to play nice. She’s here to win.