LOS ANGELES, CA — JuJu Watkins has officially entered the spotlight, and it’s not just because of her jaw-dropping skills on the basketball court. At 19 years old, the USC guard is already living a life most college players can only dream of—dominating the NCAA, starring in her own docuseries, and possibly taking career advice from none other than LeBron James. Meanwhile, her name is becoming a whisper (or maybe a shout) in conversations about the WNBA’s next big thing. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
Laker for Life? Maybe, Maybe Not
Just when you thought JuJu couldn’t get any more Los Angeles, the Lakers dropped a bombshell: a photo of Watkins donning their “City Edition” jersey. Coincidence? Probably not. While she’s years away from WNBA eligibility, the hometown hero could be eyeing a future in the City of Angels. Could she team up with Cameron Brink on the Los Angeles Sparks someday? Let’s just say if LA ever needed a “Showtime” sequel, JuJu’s got the script memorized.
Watkins’ stats from last season are pure box office: 27.1 points per game (on a respectable 40.1% shooting), 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks. To put it in perspective, she’s already threatening Caitlin Clark’s record books. Clark, the darling of Iowa, might want to keep a close eye on her throne. Watkins has at least two more years at USC, and if this pace keeps up, that scoring record may as well pack its bags and move to SoCal.
Clark vs. Watkins: A Rivalry Brewing?
Speaking of Clark, the 22-year-old phenom has been the face of women’s basketball. She’s Iowa’s pride, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and a name that will echo in basketball history. But there’s one thing she doesn’t have: a college championship. Enter Watkins, the potential disruptor of Clark’s legacy. Could JuJu do what Clark couldn’t? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: this storyline has more drama than a reality TV reunion.
And let’s not forget Paige Bueckers, the UConn star who could meet Watkins in a battle for the ages. Their hypothetical NCAA showdown would be the kind of matchup that crashes ESPN’s servers. First, though, Watkins has to handle Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo today at 4 PM EST—a player many are dubbing the “Angel Reese to JuJu’s Caitlin Clark.” Rivalry alert!
Lights, Camera, JuJu!
If Watkins’ life wasn’t already Hollywood-worthy, her new docuseries, On the Rise: JuJu Watkins, drops today on NBC and Peacock. Produced by LeBron James’ Klutch Sports and Uninterrupted, the series promises an inside look at her life on and off the court. The trailer? A cinematic masterpiece featuring JuJu playing hoops with LeBron, Bronny, and Bryce James. Talk about rubbing elbows with greatness—or, in this case, crossing them over.
The series isn’t just a flex; it’s a spotlight on women’s basketball as a whole, echoing Kobe Bryant’s vision for the sport. And let’s face it, if Kobe were here, he’d probably be courtside, grinning ear-to-ear as JuJu carries the torch he lit for the next generation of female athletes.
What’s Next?
For now, JuJu Watkins has her eyes on the prize: keeping USC undefeated and making a deep run in March. Her journey to basketball immortality starts with today’s clash against Notre Dame. Can she lead the Trojans to a championship? Can she surpass Clark’s records? And most importantly, will she keep sticking her tongue out after clutch free throws? Only time will tell.
One thing’s certain: JuJu Watkins isn’t just on the rise—she’s skyrocketing. Whether she’s breaking records, sparking rivalries, or just casually hanging with LeBron, her star power is undeniable. If you’re not paying attention yet, now’s the time to tune in.
