The Galen Center in Los Angeles turned into a mini-Hollywood premiere on Saturday as the USC Trojans, led by the sensational JuJu Watkins, locked horns with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The game? An undefeated clash. The vibe? A mix of courtside glitz and nail-biting grit. And while the scoreboard tilted Notre Dame’s way in a 74-61 slugfest, the real drama unfolded off the hardwood.
A Celebrity Lineup That Stole the Show
Forget courtside seats; this was a courtside parade. Among the standout attendees were WNBA star Cameron Brink and hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, who turned the arena into their personal fashion runway. Brink, recovering from her ACL injury but still very much the queen of cool, rocked a leather jacket over a blue tee, a sleek black skirt, and boots that screamed, “I could guard you in these if I wanted to.”
Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg, ever the showman, was dripping in JuJu-themed swag. A jacket adorned with Watkins’ likeness and a matching T-shirt made one thing clear: Snoop isn’t just a fan; he’s the president of the JuJu fan club. It’s the kind of energy we all need from our hype men.
When Legends Mingle
The surprises didn’t stop there. Hollywood heavyweight Michael B. Jordan showed up, dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, proving once again that he looks cool without even trying. Brink and Jordan shared a moment for the cameras, alongside WNBA icons Chiney Ogwumike, Candace Parker, and Dearica Hamby. Throw in ESPN’s Malika Andrews, and you’ve got a group picture that’s already worth a thousand retweets.
Brink, now a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover star (because apparently, she’s amazing at literally everything), seemed unfazed by the spotlight. If anything, she thrived in it, reminding everyone why she’s one of the most recognizable names in basketball—even if she wasn’t suiting up for this game.
The Game: JuJu vs. Hidalgo
Now, about the basketball. JuJu Watkins gave it her all, dropping 24 points on a tough Notre Dame defense. Sure, she missed all five of her 3-point attempts, but let’s not nitpick. She also snagged six rebounds, dished out five assists, and even managed a couple of steals. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo matched Watkins with 24 points of her own, solidifying her spot as the villain of the evening for USC fans.
Ultimately, Notre Dame’s depth and defense proved too much for the Trojans, handing Watkins and Co. their first loss of the season. But hey, undefeated runs are overrated, right? (Okay, maybe not.)
A Night to Remember
While the scoreboard didn’t favor USC, the night was a victory for basketball culture. From Snoop’s JuJu jacket to Brink’s effortless swagger and the star-studded cameos, it felt like a celebration of everything that makes the sport magnetic.
And let’s face it—when your game draws a crowd like this, you’re already winning. Notre Dame may have taken the W, but the Galen Center? It took the crown for the place to be.
Basketball might be a game of numbers, but on nights like these, it’s also a spectacle. And if you missed it, well, better luck next time.
