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/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: John McGillen
USC’s JuJu Watkins Earns National Accolades After Trojans Top No. 2 UCLA In Front Of Record Galen Center Crowd
January 16, 2024 | Women's Basketball
The freshman is the AP National Player of the Week and Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week.
After dropping 32 points and securing her third double-double as a Trojan in USC's 73-65 win over rival UCLA, freshman JuJu Watkins has added another set of accolades to her growing awards list. Playing in front of a standing-room only crowd at Galen Center, Watkins helped steer the Women of Troy to their second win over a top-10 opponent this season as No. 6 USC took down No. 2 UCLA. For her efforts, Watkins has picked up national acclaim as the Associated Press National Player of the Week and as the Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week, as awarded by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb also received the spotlight this week, selected as National Coach of the Week by ESPN.
With a Galen Center record crowd of 10,657 watching USC hand UCLA its first loss of the season, Watkins notched her sixth 30-point game as a Trojan and set a new USC record with a 16-of-16 effort from the free-throw line vs. the Bruins.
In addition to her steady hand from the stripe and game-high 32 points, Watkins secured her third double-double in hauling in 10 rebounds for the Trojans. She also delivered three blocks and had three assists and three steals to help guide USC to a 73-65 victory in the first-ever regular-season meeting between top-10 basketball teams at Galen Center. It was USC's second win over a top-10 opponent this season, marking the first time since 1993-94 that that's been done by the program.
Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played this season (13 games), and she already holds the USC record for total 30-point games in a season by a true freshman. What's more, Watkins' 16 made free throws vs. UCLA stands as the third most in a single game by a Trojan.
Also this week, Watkins set a new conference record in earning her ninth Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award — and in just 10 weeks of work.
Watkins and her fellow Women of Troy are now set to hit the road to take on two more ranked Pac-12 opponents this week. No. 6/4 USC visits No. 20 Utah on Friday (Jan. 19) and then heads to face No. 3 Colorado on Sunday (Jan. 21).
With a Galen Center record crowd of 10,657 watching USC hand UCLA its first loss of the season, Watkins notched her sixth 30-point game as a Trojan and set a new USC record with a 16-of-16 effort from the free-throw line vs. the Bruins.
In addition to her steady hand from the stripe and game-high 32 points, Watkins secured her third double-double in hauling in 10 rebounds for the Trojans. She also delivered three blocks and had three assists and three steals to help guide USC to a 73-65 victory in the first-ever regular-season meeting between top-10 basketball teams at Galen Center. It was USC's second win over a top-10 opponent this season, marking the first time since 1993-94 that that's been done by the program.
Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played this season (13 games), and she already holds the USC record for total 30-point games in a season by a true freshman. What's more, Watkins' 16 made free throws vs. UCLA stands as the third most in a single game by a Trojan.
Also this week, Watkins set a new conference record in earning her ninth Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award — and in just 10 weeks of work.
Watkins and her fellow Women of Troy are now set to hit the road to take on two more ranked Pac-12 opponents this week. No. 6/4 USC visits No. 20 Utah on Friday (Jan. 19) and then heads to face No. 3 Colorado on Sunday (Jan. 21).
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb Media Availability 9/18/25
Thursday, September 18
USC WBB's Lindsay Gottlieb, Rayah Marshall and Talia von Oelhoffen | Trojan Press Conference
Monday, March 31
USC WBB heads to the Elite 8, defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16 | Rapid Reaction
Saturday, March 29
Kennedy Smith on USC WBB heading to the Elite Eight, Trojan freshmen getting the job done
Saturday, March 29
