University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Katie Chin
USC’s JuJu Watkins Named Sullivan Award Semifinalist
February 16, 2024 | Women's Basketball
The freshman is in line for honors as the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level — VOTE FOR JUJU!
Barely a year into her Trojan career, USC women's basketball freshman guard JuJu Watkins has been named one of the most country's outstanding athletes at the collegiate of Olympic level with her selection as a semifinalist for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award. The annual award goes to a U.S. athlete who displays not only athletic ability but who demonstrates qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the field of play.
Fan voting weighs into an athlete's advancement to the finalist category — VOTE HERE: https://aausullivan.secure-platform.com/94th/gallery?roundId=5 — fans can vote once per day through the final day of voting on Feb. 21, 2024.
A 12-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, Watkins is one 30-point outing away from tying the single-season record for such efforts by a Trojan — set by three-time Naismith Award winner Cheryl Miller in 1984-85. Already this season, Watkins has matched Miller's record of consecutive 30-plus games (three) and she pinned up a 32-point performance in her first game as a Trojan, bettering Naismith winner Lisa Leslie's freshman debut effort back in 1990. Watkins also put forth a USC record-setting performance with a 51-point outing in a USC win at Stanford, which also stands as the most points scored by any DI player this season.
Watkins stands as the No. 2 scorer in the nation with 27.7 points per game. Her USC record-setting 51 points scored in USC's win at Stanford stands as the most points scored by any Division I player in a game this season. She's led the No. 10 Women of Troy in 19 games this season, and her eight 30-plus scoring efforts has set a new record for such performances by a USC true freshman. Watkins leads USC in scoring, assists (3.5 per game) and steals (2.6 per game) and is second on the team in 3-pointers made (44). She's also second on the team in rebounding (6.9 per game) and blocks (1.7 per game).
For her all-around achievements in and out of basketball, Watkins has been selected one of the 2024 California Women Making HERstory by the California Women's Caucus. She has been active in community outreach through the Good JuJu Holiday Giveback, where she partnered with Nike and Finish First — her family's nonprofit organization — to donate sneakers, backpacks and t-shirts to local boys and girls basketball teams along with the Finish First Academy Transitional Housing Shelter. Along with her family, Watkins has been active and supportive of the Watts Labor Community and Action Committee Center, which her grandfather founded to tell the story of racial injustice and empower individuals with tools to create change.
The AAU Sullivan Award has been given out since 1930 to the nation's best athlete. Only one finalist will join the illustrious list of previous winners which include: Bobby Jones (1930), Doc Blanchard (1945), Wilma Rudolph (1961), Bill Bradley (1965), Mark Spitz (1970), Bill Walton (1973), Bruce Jenner (1976), Carl Lewis (1981), Joan Benoit (1985), Janet Evans (1989), Peyton Manning (1997), Michael Phelps (2003), Tim Tebow (2007), Shawn Johnson (2008), Missy Franklin (2012), the Ohio State University running back Ezekiel Elliott (2014) and the first surfer to receive the award, Carissa Moore (2021).
USC has had four previous Sullivan Award winners: Sammy Lee (1952), Parry O'Brien (1959), John Naber (1977) and Janet Evans (1989).
THE AWARD
The AAU Sullivan Award honors the most outstanding collegiate, Olympic or similar level athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.
THE AAU
The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by over 800,000 participants and over 150,000 volunteers.
Fan voting weighs into an athlete's advancement to the finalist category — VOTE HERE: https://aausullivan.secure-platform.com/94th/gallery?roundId=5 — fans can vote once per day through the final day of voting on Feb. 21, 2024.
A 12-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, Watkins is one 30-point outing away from tying the single-season record for such efforts by a Trojan — set by three-time Naismith Award winner Cheryl Miller in 1984-85. Already this season, Watkins has matched Miller's record of consecutive 30-plus games (three) and she pinned up a 32-point performance in her first game as a Trojan, bettering Naismith winner Lisa Leslie's freshman debut effort back in 1990. Watkins also put forth a USC record-setting performance with a 51-point outing in a USC win at Stanford, which also stands as the most points scored by any DI player this season.
Watkins stands as the No. 2 scorer in the nation with 27.7 points per game. Her USC record-setting 51 points scored in USC's win at Stanford stands as the most points scored by any Division I player in a game this season. She's led the No. 10 Women of Troy in 19 games this season, and her eight 30-plus scoring efforts has set a new record for such performances by a USC true freshman. Watkins leads USC in scoring, assists (3.5 per game) and steals (2.6 per game) and is second on the team in 3-pointers made (44). She's also second on the team in rebounding (6.9 per game) and blocks (1.7 per game).
For her all-around achievements in and out of basketball, Watkins has been selected one of the 2024 California Women Making HERstory by the California Women's Caucus. She has been active in community outreach through the Good JuJu Holiday Giveback, where she partnered with Nike and Finish First — her family's nonprofit organization — to donate sneakers, backpacks and t-shirts to local boys and girls basketball teams along with the Finish First Academy Transitional Housing Shelter. Along with her family, Watkins has been active and supportive of the Watts Labor Community and Action Committee Center, which her grandfather founded to tell the story of racial injustice and empower individuals with tools to create change.
The AAU Sullivan Award has been given out since 1930 to the nation's best athlete. Only one finalist will join the illustrious list of previous winners which include: Bobby Jones (1930), Doc Blanchard (1945), Wilma Rudolph (1961), Bill Bradley (1965), Mark Spitz (1970), Bill Walton (1973), Bruce Jenner (1976), Carl Lewis (1981), Joan Benoit (1985), Janet Evans (1989), Peyton Manning (1997), Michael Phelps (2003), Tim Tebow (2007), Shawn Johnson (2008), Missy Franklin (2012), the Ohio State University running back Ezekiel Elliott (2014) and the first surfer to receive the award, Carissa Moore (2021).
USC has had four previous Sullivan Award winners: Sammy Lee (1952), Parry O'Brien (1959), John Naber (1977) and Janet Evans (1989).
THE AWARD
The AAU Sullivan Award honors the most outstanding collegiate, Olympic or similar level athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.
THE AAU
The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by over 800,000 participants and over 150,000 volunteers.
USC Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament Round 2 vs South Carolina Highlights | Trojans fall 101-61
Monday, March 23
Jazzy Davidson makes history, drops 31 points, 6 reb, 5 ast in NCAA Tournament debut | Highlights
Saturday, March 21
USC Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament Round 1 vs Clemson Highlights | Trojans win in OT, 71-67
Saturday, March 21
Women's Basketball Press Conference- March Madness Selection Sunday
Sunday, March 15
