Résumé Rundown: JuJu Watkins

The University of Southern California basketball star is blazing trails on her way to the WNBA

By Danielle Wright · Updated February 17, 2025

For the average 19-year-old, the return to college for sophomore year is often as straightforward as gearing up for a new semester. But for Judea “JuJu” Skies Watkins, life as a second-year University of Southern California (USC) student is anything but simple. That’s because the 6-foot-2-inch guard is one of the most sought-after recruits in basketball. After quickly becoming a standout on the USC team, Watkins went on to win an ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete and to grace the cover of Slam magazine.

Before her rise to fame, Watkins was just a girl from Los Angeles, heavily immersed in basketball. At the prestigious Sierra Canyon School—home to celebrity teens like Kylie Jenner, Zaire Wade and Bronny James—she honed her skills in a program renowned for producing top talent. Reflecting on her early days in the sport, Watkins says her passion for it began at home. “Basketball was always in my family,” she explains. “My parents and then my older brother played in high school, so it was always around me. We would be playing in the backyard, and I just always loved it. At first, I was not good at all—and I just really had a hunger to get better. At that point, I knew that it was something that I wanted to take seriously.”

And she did. Watkins’s drive and ambition propelled her to lead her high school team to an Open Division state title, and an incredible 30–2 record, during her junior year; she averaged 25 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game that season. By 2023 she had captured the attention of the wider basketball world, earning the title of “Number 1 recruit” from ESPN.

In her first year at USC, she received the illustrious Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, as the best women’s basketball shooting guard from the NCAA, and was named an All-American. Notably, she set a record by surpassing WNBA legend Lisa Leslie for most points scored in a freshman debut, tallying a whopping 32.

Last fall, Watkins made headlines with an NIL (“Name, Image, Likeness”) deal extension with Nike; it is said to be one of the richest shoe deals in women’s basketball history. With a still-growing list of accomplishments and accolades, Watkins emphasizes the importance of taking things one day at a time, in order to manage the pressure she places on herself. “The most important thing for me is pacing myself and being patient,” she says. “That’s something I’m working on, but taking it day by day helps me navigate this space.”

Despite her rising stardom, Watkins remains grounded. She recalls her humble beginnings—including her job as a receptionist at her grandfather’s nonprofit, Watts Labor Community Action Committee, at just 10 years old. “I had to transfer calls and everything,” she says with a laugh. “It taught me how to handle pressure, in a unique way.” Looking ahead to 2025, Watkins is focused on continuing to make a positive impact: “I want to be the best version of myself and do what I can for the team.”