In the world of basketball, where signature moves and flashy plays dominate the headlines, JuJu Watkins is flipping the script—literally—with her signature hair bun. The USC Trojans’ rising star recently revealed the origin story of her iconic top knot, and it had none other than former Warriors guard Gilbert Arenas in stitches.
On Monday, Complex Sports dropped a gem on Instagram featuring a candid confession from Watkins during her interview on On the Rise: JuJu Watkins. Alongside her sharp plays on the court, her hair bun has become a trademark, but as it turns out, there’s more to the bun than meets the eye—or the rim.
“Everybody’s gonna know that my mom does my hair,” Watkins admitted, sparking a wave of chuckles across the basketball universe.
The video clips revealed Watkins’ pregame ritual, where her mother not only secures her bun with precision but also doles out game-day wisdom. Imagine your mom handing you the basketball equivalent of Sun Tzu’s Art of War while fixing your hair—now that’s multitasking. Watkins even jokingly defended herself when asked if she’d mastered the art of bun-making.
“Listen, this is all I am gonna say: I’m working on it,” Watkins said with a laugh. “This woman has 18 years of experience, so please, relax! Chill on me for a second.”
Meanwhile, Arenas couldn’t resist joining the fun, dropping three laughing emojis in the Instagram comments. Because of course, the man who’s seen it all on the court finds the idea of a “Mom-powered bun” absolutely hilarious.
JuJu Watkins: The Bun, The Legend, The Clutch Gene
JuJu Watkins has been making waves since her college debut on Nov. 6, 2023, and not just because of her hairstyle. Gilbert Arenas has been singing her praises for months, even comparing her to NBA legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. During a guest spot on Shannon Sharpe’s Nightcap podcast, Arenas gushed about Watkins’ game, which he claims is anything but ordinary.
“If you watch her work out, you wouldn’t know she was a girl,” Arenas said, clearly flabbergasted by her skill set. “She works out with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker, and she can mimic all of them. She’s got so much power, so much swag. I’ve seen this girl do some amazing things during big games. She’s got the Kobe and Jordan gene.”
And if that wasn’t high enough praise, Arenas dropped more names like Jimmy Butler and Caitlin Clark as players who share Watkins’ “clutch gene.” Apparently, when the pressure’s on, she’s as unshakeable as a perfectly styled bun.
Even Shannon Sharpe couldn’t hold back, agreeing that Watkins’ game has shades of WNBA icon Maya Moore. That’s elite company for someone who’s still crafting her collegiate legacy.
Basketball and Buns: The Ultimate Assist
The hilarious confession about her bun adds another layer to Watkins’ growing mystique. While most players are focused on slam dunks and crossovers, Watkins has the perfect pregame weapon: her mom. The bun, it turns out, isn’t just a hairstyle—it’s a strategy session, a confidence boost, and a literal crown for the Trojans’ queen of the court.
So, what’s next for Watkins? More jaw-dropping performances, more comparisons to legends, and maybe, just maybe, a YouTube tutorial titled “How to Style Your Bun Like a Pro (With Mom’s Help).” If she ever decides to drop that, Arenas will surely be the first one to comment—laughing emojis and all.
