JuJu Watkins Is Building More Than a Basketball Career
For BET’s 45th anniversary, we’re honoring our legacy of discovering and uplifting talent with “The Future of Black Culture” series. From Kendrick Lamar’s first televised performance to spotlighting legends like Beyoncé in her early career, BET has always been a platform for rising stars. This year-long series will kick off with five profiles, followed by a new feature each month, showcasing the next generation of trailblazers across entertainment, music, sports, art, tech, and activism.
Why We Co-Sign: JuJu Watkins is making her name as the best female basketball player in the college ranks today. She's a future top pick in the WNBA Draft, an investor into women's hoops leagues as a sophomore in college, and the face re-defining USC women's hoops.
Breakout Moment: Her run in March Madness last year getting USC to the Elite Eight
What’s Next: Another end-of-year run that could see her claim a national title
JuJu Watkins is already stamping her name on women’s college basketball. After a freshman campaign for her hometown USC Trojans, Watkins has leapt into the top ranks of the sport. She was born in the sunshine of LA and decided to stay home. What followed was a sight to see: scoring ‘SC ain’t seen since Cheryl shot the rim red and a unanimous All-American nod with a trip to the Elite Eight, the first time in 30 years, for a Trojans team that hadn’t produced much worth talking about before then.
The world got to learn about the next great star the West Coast will produce. But everyone south of Santa Clarita already knew what the rest of y’all got to learn: Judea Watkins isn’t what’s next.
She’s what’s right now.
Her sophomore campaign has since sizzled with a similar delight. The Trojans are a top-five contender in college basketball and Watkins’ star has simultaneously risen. But, her mind hasn’t recently been locked away to the game of basketball, only. Her home has seen tragedy as the year turned, with fire and ash turning communities around LA upside down.
I, just, always try to be myself. In any environment. In whatever I do. I just try to reflect my morals, my values, and what I believe in.
“It’s been devastating,” Watkins told BET. “To know that so much is going on in my city…and having to continue on with [the season], it kind of sucks. But, I think, by volunteering stuff and just helping in any way that the team and I can is important.” Watkins said she and USC’s team have been doing just that, even saying, “whatever I can do with my non-profit or any way I can help, I will.”
Watkins has embraced her role as an athlete by using her platform to invest in the communities she believes in. She wants to represent a light to her community in Los Angeles by putting her money where her passions lie.
During the middle of this season she was part of a round of investment for the Unrivaled women’s basketball league before its debut this month. The group included the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, olympian Michael Phelps, Watkins, and others.
“It was really cool for me to still be in college and help promote the movement of women’s sports, specifically women’s basketball,” Watkins said. “I’m super excited for this era in the league and Unrivaled, a place where players are kind of able to make the decisions and have a league they’re excited about. And, maybe, I’ll play in it one day.”
Being Watkins’ age and still being able to help plant a seed for the game was a valuable opportunity for her. Something not many athletes, let alone college sophomores, have the chance to do. She says she doesn’t take it for granted.
“The season is so crazy. The schedule is hectic at times. But, I’m always in a state of [gratefulness],” she says. “I’m grateful for this opportunity and everything that happens to me. I, just, always try to be myself. In any environment. In whatever I do. I just try to reflect my morals, my values, and what I believe in.”
“Being a Black woman in this space, especially in this new era of college basketball, it’s been an amazing opportunity,” she continues. “I’ve really honed in on my talent and what I’m able to do. I’m really grateful to be here now and serve as a [representative] for all the little girls and little boys everywhere in LA. I think that's been a main focus for me. I just try to continue to be grounded and, you know,” she says. “Keep my head down while working.”
Staying in LA has helped keep me grounded.
Growing up in Watts on the south side of LA, Watkins believes strongly in her roots. Her great grandfather, Ted, founded the Watts Labor Community Action Committee after the Riots in 1965. He was praised by the mayor for having one of the best community action programs in America. She grew up hooping at a park named after him, and hanging at the committee through her childhood.
She wants to bring a championship back to LA, she says. That’s top of mind. Part of the reason why she stayed home when the best women’s hooper in America could have gone anywhere else. She feels called to work in her community. “I want to continue to help rebuild the foundation at USC,” she says. “Adding on to what legends like Cheryl Miller and Cynthia Cooper have done for the Trojans. Increasing the sisterhood at ‘SC and bringing back our winning culture.”
And whenever the burden of carrying the torch for the next wave of women hoopers becomes too much, she can always lean back on the village that raised her, in the sunny backdrop of California. Staying home always felt right, she says. “The only thing is,” she laughs. “I see my parents way too often.”
“But, staying in LA has helped keep me grounded,” she admits. “Honestly, it’s the way I was raised. Having my village around me to, just, rely on in the times of need. To have that sense of comfort when life gets a little hectic, it definitely works in my favor. It’s one of the main benefits of being home.”
