At just 19 years old, JuJu Watkins has already made an indelible mark on the world of college basketball. From her record-breaking performances to her game-changing contributions on the international stage, Juju Watkins is on track for world domination.

A Meteoric Rise

Hailing from Watts in Los Angeles, Watkins began her basketball journey at the age of seven. She showcased exceptional school talent, leading her team to a 30-2 record and a state title. Watkins went on to represent her country at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2022 and received tournament MVP honours for her outstanding performance.

In her senior year at High School, she averaged 28.1 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, earning her the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award. Unsurprisingly, she was touted as the No.1 prospect in the Class of 2023 by ESPN.

An epic arrival

Her transition to USC was nothing short of spectacular. In her freshman season, Watkins set the NCAA Division I freshman scoring record with 920 points, surpassing a record that had stood since the 1983-84 season. She also led the Trojans to the Elite Eight, marking the school’s deepest NCAA tournament run in three decades. Her remarkable performances included a 51-point game against Stanford, breaking the USC single-game scoring record.

JuJu’s accolades have continued to accumulate. She was named a unanimous first-team All-American and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2024. Her relentless form as shooting guard has won her the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for 2 consecutive seasons in her freshman and sophomore years. Her achievements have also earned her the USBWA National Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year in 2025.

Watkins’ on-court talents have earned her endorsement and sponsorship deals with companies like AT&T, Nike, Mielle, SpringHill, Wells Fargo, Ritz, Celsius, and Dove.

Brand partnerships with positive impact

Beyond her athletic prowess, Watkins is committed to using her platform to inspire and uplift others. Following evolutions in laws allowing college athletes to benefit financially from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights, many student-athletes found themselves newly wealthy with little to no experience of managing their personal finances. Recognising the importance of and relatively low levels of financial literacy amongst students, JuJu partnered with NerdWallet, to help educate fellow student-athletes on managing their earnings responsibly. Through this collaboration, Watkins emphasises the significance of budgeting and saving, ensuring that her peers are equipped to make informed financial decisions.

A community icon  

Watkins is the first woman to be represented by Klutch Sports Group alongside a number of high-profile NBA players. She signed with Klutch as a high school junior and was clear from the outset that she wanted to use her platform to help her home community. Responsible management of her finances is one of the ways she hopes to make a difference. Her dedication to community empowerment is also evident in her support for the new 3-on-3 women’s professional basketball league, Unrivaled. Watkins is an investor alongside the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Phelps. A brainchild of XXXX, Unrivaled’s goal is to provide WNBA players with domestic opportunities to play and be paid a salary during their offseason. This investment is indicative of Watkins aspirations to actively provide more opportunities for women in basketball and continue her personal development beyond the college season.

ACL adversity

Up until recently, JuJu’s playing career has been on track for stratospheric heights. But earlier this year the youngster suffered a torn ACL during a game against Mississippi State, bringing her sophomore season to a premature end. We have no doubt that JuJu Watkins will put in the work to return to her pre-injury form. We’ll be watching closely as she returns from this set back; all the best know that form is temporary, but class is permanent.

To the future

Looking ahead, as Watkins remains focused on her athletic career and community impact she continues to break barriers in women’s basketball. We can’t wait to see what endorsement deal she earns next and how else she plans on innovatively serving her community and aspiring athletes throughout the basketball world.