The legend of JuJu Watkins grows in elite performance, end-of-game cramps vs UCLA
It is the stuff of legend.
A No. 1-ranked recruit chooses to stay home, in front of her friends and family, and revive a long-dormant college basketball program with a proud past. JuJu Watkins could have gone to Dawn Staley’s South Carolina juggernaut or Kim Mulkey’s powerhouse at LSU or Geno Auriemma’s Connecticut dynasty. She was the best high school player in women’s basketball in the Class of 2023. She could write her own ticket.
She chose home. She chose USC. It was a remarkable display of faith and trust in Lindsay Gottlieb.
Would such a decision be rewarded, or would it become apparent that USC just isn’t — and wasn’t — what it once was? Would USC make some small and modest gains but never even approach what the elite women’s basketball programs are doing today?
JuJu Watkins hoped for the magical story, but merely hoping for the fairy-tale outcome hardly guarantees it. Would this big life choice be met with regret, or would this player’s loyalty to USC — to Los Angeles — be rewarded?
The drama attached to JuJu Watkins’ choice to become a USC Trojan was — and still is — enormous. She could have chosen the sure thing — South Carolina, UConn, or other established programs — but she wanted to revive USC.
Watkins’ success — USC’s success — is magnified by what we’re seeing on the court. It really is the stuff of legend, and we’re going to provide a few central snapshots of Watkins’ legendary performance against No. 2 UCLA on Sunday. Let’s take a little journey through this game and its aftermath:
GETTING TO THE BASKET
Rack attack for Ju 😤
📺 @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/VKxYyrIex3
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) January 14, 2024
BIG ANSWER TO UCLA BASKET
Londynn Jones off a steal with the banked 3, but JuJu Watkins answer with the pull-up 2
THE PAC 12 pic.twitter.com/GB94AdAsXh
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) January 15, 2024
HIGHLIGHT REEL
JuJu Watkins with 32 points 3 blocks 3 steals 3 assists & 10 rebounds in the win over 2nd ranked UCLA! @Jujubballin pic.twitter.com/A0Y9RtJLdk
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) January 15, 2024
DOING IT ON DEFENSE
JUJU WATKINS DAMN AND THE SAVE pic.twitter.com/9UnMqTKiv9
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) January 14, 2024
FREE THROWS: TAKE 'EM AND MAKE 'EM
JuJu Watkins: 16 of 16 at the foul line today.
Cash. Money. #USC https://t.co/JFxZXyutvH— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) January 15, 2024
LA TIMES REACTS
“She’s a winner."
How JuJu Watkins' 32 points helped USC end UCLA's undefeated season and rivalry winning streakhttps://t.co/SmQ5Xds7Yy
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) January 15, 2024
WINNERS SACRIFICE FOR THEIR TEAM
JuJu Watkins is just everywhere. Picks up loose ball, races downcourt, finishes a double-clutch layup. Then dives on the floor to recover a rebound and force a travel on a UCLA player. Sheer effort.
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) January 14, 2024
END-OF-GAME CRAMPS
Buzzer goes off as USC beats UCLA and JuJu Watkins literally collapses with cramps. Teammates crowd around her. Watkins: 32 points tonight, 16-of-16 on FTs, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals. pic.twitter.com/jdYSvwCsLg
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) January 15, 2024
FIGHT ON FOREVER
JuJu Watkins, lying on her back on the ground with trainers working out the cramps on her legs, gets the mic and shouts: "FIGHT ON!!!!!!"
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) January 15, 2024
CELEBRATING WHILE CRAMPING: MULTITASKING!
A cramp wasn’t gonna stop Ju from turning up the crowd 😂✌️ pic.twitter.com/JcQvmimrQI
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) January 15, 2024
POSTGAME MEDIA SWARM
This is the crowd outside of the press room that swarmed USC star JuJu Watkins after her 32-point performance to upset No. 2 UCLA.
Superstar on and off the floor. pic.twitter.com/0EES9C9iFZ
— Gavin Carlson (@GavinCarlsonDB) January 15, 2024
GOTTLIEB ON JUJU
Lindsay Gottlieb on this moment and JuJu Watkins postgame: “I don’t know what else to say other than, she’s something else and we’re grateful that we’re in this ride with her.”
Full comments here: https://t.co/RKotzLyd2E pic.twitter.com/OiYSqQeSwX
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) January 15, 2024
JUJU REACTS
“We’re going to take it all in for a day and then get right back to the gym.”
Following her sixth 30-point performance of the season, @jujubballin breaks down @USCWBB’s upset win with @keelyismyname ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yE6VWnjuQ6
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 15, 2024
THE PRAISE COULDN'T BE GREATER
Ya'll know me, I don't do the hyperbole. I don't like building hype. I like letting things play out
JuJu is like that. She is freaking special. Enjoy the moments, because wow https://t.co/jclIS8u5x8
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) January 15, 2024
FINAL STATS: 32 POINTS AND A WHOLE LOT MORE
UNDEFEATED NO MORE.
No. 9 @USCWBB upsets No. 2 UCLA handing the Bruins their first loss of the season.
Freshman JuJu Watkins in the win:
✌️ 32 PTS
✌️ 10 REB
✌️ 3 AST
✌️ 3 STL pic.twitter.com/duC3o2F3Kr— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 15, 2024
