USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins has made history by breaking the NCAA Division 1 women’s college basketball scoring record that stood for 40 years, previously held by San Diego State’s Tina Hutchinson. Watkins achieved this feat during USC’s Elite Eight appearance against UConn, hitting the record-setting three-point shot in the second quarter. This marked USC’s first Elite Eight appearance in three decades. Coming into the game, Watkins was just seven points shy of Hutchinson’s record of 898 points, which she achieved during her freshman season. Watkins’ impressive freshman year has exceeded expectations, as she was already a highly touted recruit and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year.
In addition to breaking the all-time freshman scoring record, Watkins set several school records for USC, despite the program’s history of great players like Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie. She set the Trojans’ single-game scoring record with 51 points against Stanford, one of the top teams in college basketball. Watkins also broke the record for most games with 30 or more points by a USC freshman, with 14 such games heading into the Elite Eight. Her dominance on the court has been evident throughout her freshman campaign, as she finished second in scoring this season, averaging 27 points per game, behind only Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. Watkins won an impressive fourteen out of seventeen Pac-12 Freshman of the Week awards, setting a new record, and was named a first-team All-American and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
Watkins’ exceptional play has not only set records but also transformed the USC women’s basketball program. With her leading the way, the Trojans won their first conference championship since 2014 and achieved their highest NCAA seeding and AP Top 15 ranking in years. Their deep run in the NCAA March Madness Tournament this year, culminating in an Elite Eight appearance, has been fueled by Watkins’ stellar performances. Now, with the Final Four in sight, USC is aiming to make a run for a national championship title with Watkins at the forefront. Her impact on the team and the program as a whole has been significant, propelling USC to new heights and garnering national attention and accolades for her remarkable freshman season.
Watkins’ record-breaking performance and her overall impact on USC basketball have solidified her status as one of the top players in women’s college basketball. Her achievements as a freshman have placed her among the ranks of legendary players who have left a lasting legacy on the sport. With multiple accolades and records to her name, Watkins has proven that she is not only living up to the high expectations set for her but also surpassing them with her exceptional skills and dedication to the game. As she continues her collegiate career, Watkins is poised to make even greater strides and leave an indelible mark on the sport of basketball.
