In the fast-paced world of NCAA basketball, legends are made, records are broken, and occasionally, a star emerges who seems determined to make everyone else look like they’re playing pick-up at the local Y. Enter JuJu Watkins, the 19-year-old USC sophomore sensation who’s not just raising the bar—she’s slam-dunking it into orbit.
It’s November, and while most people are still debating the best way to cook turkey, Watkins is busy roasting defenders. In Friday’s 81-50 demolition of Santa Clara, she casually waltzed past the 1,000-point milestone faster than Iowa’s Caitlin Clark could probably spell “milestone.” For reference, Clark—yes, the Caitlin Clark—took 40 games to hit the same mark. Watkins? She did it in just 38, making it clear that her agenda includes a little something called domination.
JuJu Joins the Elite Club—and Makes It Look Easy
Achieving 1,000 points in 38 games isn’t just fast; it’s absurd. It’s the kind of stat that makes even the basketball gods do a double take. To put things in perspective, Watkins joins icons like Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne and Weber State’s Kathy Miller in the “38-game club.” Only a select few—Maree Jackson and Carol Menken—reached the milestone quicker, but let’s be honest: at the rate Watkins is going, she’s probably eyeing their records like a cat stalking a particularly slow mouse.
USC’s golden girl didn’t just stumble into greatness, either. This is a player who racked up national Player of the Year awards in high school like they were free samples at Costco. She dropped an insane 920 points in her freshman season, making the transition to college hoops look about as challenging as a game of HORSE.
Cheryl Miller’s Protégé Is Writing Her Own Script
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the shadow looming over Watkins: Cheryl Miller, USC’s GOAT and the proud owner of 3,018 career points. Miller has taken Watkins under her wing, offering pearls of wisdom like, “Kid, I’m not worried about your body; it’s your brain that needs the work.” Translation? Watkins can bench-press her way to glory all she wants, but staying cool under the mental pressure of elite competition is what separates the legends from the wannabes.
So far, Watkins is making her mentor proud—and maybe even a little nervous. The comparisons to Miller are inevitable, but with Watkins’ scoring pace, there’s a real chance she’ll end up rewriting the USC record books entirely. If Miller’s advice has been to “find a quiet space,” one can only hope her own trophy shelf is getting some Zen time before JuJu storms in.
Is Caitlin Clark’s Crown in Danger?
While Caitlin Clark still reigns as the queen of NCAA scoring and a household name, Watkins isn’t just knocking on the door—she’s about to kick it down, probably while doing a crossover. Clark’s shadow is big, but Watkins is proving that she has the skills, swagger, and scoring chops to make it irrelevant.
And here’s the kicker: Watkins is just 19. Let that sink in. She’s barely out of her teens and already has analysts wondering if we’re witnessing the birth of the next great dynasty in women’s basketball. By the time USC faces Notre Dame on November 23, don’t be surprised if Watkins has added another chapter to her growing legend—and left a trail of broken defensive schemes in her wake.
Legacy in the Making
In just four games this season, Watkins has shown that she’s not just keeping up with the best—she’s setting a blistering pace they’ll struggle to match. As the Trojans march into their next showdown, one thing is clear: JuJu Watkins isn’t just chasing greatness. She’s lapping it.
So, to all the Caitlin Clarks, Cheryl Millers, and NCAA record-holders out there: watch your back. JuJu isn’t coming for your records. She’s coming for your legacy—and she’s bringing the heat.
