When the time came to choose where she would play college ball, JuJu Watkins could have gone virtually anywhere in the United States.
But the Los Angeles native didn’t go far — staying home at the University of Southern California in a move that had much larger meaning than just remaining close to friends and family.
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“When a superstar from your city stays in your city, you don’t only believe in that player, but you also start to believe in your city,” sports analyst Andraya Carter said. “I think JuJu staying home did a lot for the young girls in L.A.”
In the third episode of the second season in “On The Rise: JuJu Watkins,” the docuseries frames the superstar’s special connection to the Los Angeles area against the USC women’s basketball team’s push into the postseason.
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JuJu Watkins deals with adversity while navigating transcendence in return of ‘On The Rise’
A devastating knee injury ended the sophomore season of the USC superstar who has become a global phenomenon.
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On the day before a critical matchup with UCLA in the 2024-25 regular-season finale, a USC pep rally on campus included “The Hoop Bus,” which prominently featured Watkins’ face with a Nike logo.
Signing autographs nearby before “the most imprtant game of the season so far … we can’t lose,” Watkins found inspiration in the hometown support.
“To see the excitement around the game, so many people came out,” she said. “To see my face on the side of a bus, students coming to support the bus, it definitely got me hyped again. To see the love and support, it motivates me work even harder.”
Behind 30 points from Watkins, the fourth-ranked Trojans beat the second-ranked Bruins 80-67 to earn the top seed in the Big Ten tournament at 17-1.
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“We’re always happy after a win, but I think that one hit a little bit different,” Watkins said.
The game drew a host of celebrities, including WNBA legend Candace Parker, musician John Legend and NFL quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“She definitely feeds off the crowd,” said Watkins’ father, Bobby.
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JuJu Watkins heeds a call to service, community that underpins her commitment to fans
Her family instilled altruistic principles before she garnered fame in women’s basketball.
USC would win twice more in the Big Ten tournament but fell to UCLA 72-67 in the title game despite 29 points from Watkins. The Trojans still earned a top seed in the NCAA tournament.
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“It’s the end of the season, so you can’t dwell on it,” Watkins said. “This is going to motivate us more going into the tournament. We always talked about a national championship, so when it came close to March Madness, it’s, ‘OK, we have to win.’ ”
As the schedule stretched past the 30-game mark, Watkins spent more time in the trainer’s room trying to mitigate the potential for nagging injuries.
“The season is so long so you really start to feel little knick-knacks toward the end of the season,” she said. “It’s just being more intentional about caring for your body. I have to keep reminding myself this is the final stretch. Just maximize the amount of time left and taking every game as an opportunity to get better and prepare myself.”
Heading into the NCAA tournament, the goal was simple for Watkins.
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“I love breaking expectations,” she said. “I’m always trying to push boundaries or limitations set on me.”
More from “On The Rise: JuJu Watkins”
Season 1, Episode 1: JuJu Watkins on choosing USC, the LeBron commercial, family
Season 1, Episode 2: How family and community lift JuJu Watkins
Season 1 Episode 3: For JuJu Watkins, when one door closes, another opens
Season 1, Episode 4: ‘The JuJu Effect:’ Watkis begins to build new legacy at USC
Season 1, Episode 5: Squarely in the spotlight, Watkins announces college arrival
Season 1, Episode 6: JuJu Watkins introduces herself in historic freshman season
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Season 2, Episode 1: JuJu Watkins deals with adversity while navigating transcendence
Season 2, Episode 2: Heeding a call to service underpins JuJu Watkins’ fan connection
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