Juju Watkins Will Be the Next WNBA Star

With her dominating performance in a game against the UCLA Bruins, and her all-around basketball skills and talent, guard Juju Watkins is anticipated to be a huge WNBA star, including people like me. (Credit: SI Kids)

With the University of Southern California now taking residence in the Big Ten Conference, there is more opportunity for me to see who are the top student athletes in the conference. For women's’ basketball, I remember watching a game between the USC Trojans and the undefeated UCLA Bruins and guard Juju Watkins erupted for 38 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks. I immediately grabbed my paper and pencil and began to explore this college star. It was also the highest amount of points that I got to see ANY college player score in my life.

Both the NCAA and WNBA have their eyes open on Watkins. This year, she is averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game and is one of the best all-around players in the country. The USC Trojans’ win over the Bruins was one of the headlines for the league and according to ESPN’s Alexa Phillipou, Watkins is the first player with 35 points, 5 blocks, 5 assists in a game in the last 20 seasons across all Division 1 basketball.

Watkins IS WNBA material and she is going to be the next big star along with talents like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink. She is averaging 6.9 rebounds this season which is remarkable for a guard. She can assist and get the basketball to the open player, while taking over a game in her scoring. Not only can she slash through the defense and get to the basket, but she is a great shooter. In the game against the Bruins, she made six threes and is currently shooting 34.9% from downtown, which has been an improvement on her freshman year (31.7%).

Teams will be in the front row to try and get her to a franchise once her collegiate career is over. Scouts are watching, and watching as we speak.