The ladies’s recreation has discovered its new star.
There wasn’t a lot query as to who the subsequent nice girls’s faculty basketball participant could be, however after each Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went off to the professional’s, there was nonetheless a sliver of doubt.
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Contemplate that sliver of doubt obliterated.
Contemplate the sneakers of Clark and Reese crammed.
After which some.
It is JuJu Watkins’ world now and we’re all simply dwelling in it.
Coming off a historic freshman marketing campaign, by which she set quite a few information, was each the Nationwide Freshman of the 12 months and a unanimous first-team All-American, averaging 27.1 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a couple of.3 steals per recreation, Watkins has her USC Trojans again within the highlight.
Contemporary off main the Trojans to their first Elite Eight look in 30 years, the sophomore sensation has adopted it up with a stellar second season.
Besides this time, she is not simply pondering Elite Eight.
Watkins needs to win the entire rattling factor.
“We undoubtedly have the aim of the Remaining 4, a nationwide championship,” Watkins advised Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports activities.
“We’re not afraid to voice that as a result of it holds everyone accountable.
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“We’re actually conscious of our potential and the way far we are able to go, and it’s only a matter of harnessing that capability day-after-day and coming into the fitness center with a championship mindset.”
Watkins is the star and face of the game.
There are different wonderful and ultra-talented gamers, reminiscent of Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers, or Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, however Watkins is a category above.
And with that, comes the duty of balancing superstardom, particularly in a metropolis that’s crammed with stars.
“It’s been a course of,” Watkins stated.
“However my foremost concern is my efficiency and persevering with to get higher. It’s about my very own requirements.”
With the celebrity, has additionally come the greenback indicators.
In response to On3’s NIL Valuation, Watkins NIL worth is at $576K.
She is companions with huge manufacturers reminiscent of Gatorade and Nike.
Watkins has led the sixth-ranked Trojans to a 21-2 report, at the moment good for second within the Large Ten, behind solely cross-town rival UCLA.
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The Bruins are an ideal 23-0.
On Thursday evening, Watkins will lead her squad towards the undefeated gals from the west facet.
It’s the first of two matchups towards the Bruins.
And Watkins’ second to shine.