JuJu Watkins Shines Again: Claims Second Big Ten Player of the Week Honor!

Women’s Basketball | December 23, 2024

USC sophomore guard JuJu Watkins has been awarded her second Big Ten Player of the Week title after an impressive all-around performance that enabled her No. 7 Trojans to triumph over No. 4 UConn for the first time in their program’s history. Watkins recorded a game-leading 25 points in USC’s 72-70 victory against the Huskies in front of a packed audience of 15,684 at XL Center in Hartford, Conn. This marked UConn’s first road defeat since February 2023.

Alongside her 25 points, Watkins secured six rebounds, provided five assists, and achieved a game-best three blocks during the match. On the defensive side, she was assigned to guard UConn’s All-American senior Paige Bueckers for a considerable portion of the game — Bueckers recorded 9-of-22 shooting and concluded with 22 points, three rebounds, and two assists. 

Watkins has successfully scored 20 or more points in 11 out of USC’s 12 matches this season, maintaining a double-digit score in all 12, and has dished out five assists in USC’s last three games. She was previously honored as Big Ten Player of the Week on Dec. 9 after netting 40 points against CBU and 21 in USC’s conference-opening victory at Oregon.

Returning to Galen Center after a brief holiday intermission, Watkins and USC are set to host their inaugural Big Ten Conference games. Now placed at No. 4 nationally, the Trojans (11-1, 1-0 Big Ten) will compete against No. 23 Michigan (10-2, 1-0) at 7 p.m. on Dec. 29, before facing Nebraska (10-2, 1-0) at noon on New Year’s Day.