Southern Cal may be famous for football, but the university’s basketball programs are booming. While the men grabbed headlines after recruiting Bronny James, the women’s program touts a celebrated freshman, too. 18-year-old JuJu Watkins made her anticipated debut on the hardwood on Monday. The USC star did not disappoint.
Watkins dazzled in an 83-74 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. She scored 32 points, dished out five assists, and pulled down six rebounds in 31 minutes. She shot an outstanding 11-for-18 from the floor in her college debut and showed nerves of steel at the free throw line, where she went 9-for-10.
Watkins’ sharpness paved the way for USC to get the victory in Las Vegas. T-Mobile Arena hosted several games on Monday as the 2023-24 men’s and women’s college basketball season tips off.
JuJu Watkins — the top recruit in the country — scored 32 points in her USC debut to lead the Trojans to an upset victory over No. 7 Ohio State. 🏀🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/fpT9GZKI2m
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 7, 2023
USC figures to be a team to watch out west this season, and a lot of that has to do with Watkins. The 18-year-old LA native attended the famed Sierra Canyon School and ranked as the top recruit in the 2023 recruiting class. She participated in the McDonald’s All-American Game and was also named Gatorade National Player of the Year, and California’s Ms. Basketball.
She committed to USC over powers like South Carolina and Stanford, as well as a host of others. Oh, and she has an NIL deal with Nike.
Needless to say, the USC star freshman had everybody talking after her performance.
JuJu Watkins in her college debut 😤
32 PTS
6 REB
5 ASTW vs. Ohio State ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/FUCnad4QQi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 6, 2023
Lisa Leslie had 30 points in her USC freshman debut. Today, Juju Watkins dropped 32 in hers. 🔥
Postgame interview with the hoops phenom: pic.twitter.com/cPegLBefp0— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) November 6, 2023
JUJU WATKINS. pic.twitter.com/yseGl7oAcy
— WSLAM (@wslam) November 6, 2023
JuJu Watkins NCAA debut:
32 PTS | 6 REB | 5 AST | 11-18 FG
#21 USC takes down #7 Ohio State 83-74! #NCAAW | @USCWBB pic.twitter.com/UgOxTTt7qS
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) November 6, 2023
JuJu Watkins put up a 30 piece in her first college game against a top 10 team and got the upset win. Her bag is verrryyy different, best freshman in the country #FightOn✌🏾
— taraji p henchmen (@theeluvvbelow) November 6, 2023
USC Coach Lindsay Gottlieb on JuJu Watkins' debut: "She's ridiculous. Get used to it."
— Katie Barnes (@katie_barnes3) November 6, 2023