When Juju Watkins was in high school, she was already seen as the sports future face. At a mere 19 years of age, she has the poise and demeanour of someone beyond her years, easing into her collegiate career to take over the veterans’ role on the team and earning the recognition of basketball greats. When she was playing at a packed Galen Center, her impressive performance earned likes from LeBron James, Candace Parker, Vanessa Bryant, Kevin Hart, and even Will Ferrell. But still, there was one person she was especially hoping to see.

Sanaa Lathan. The Love and Basketball star who ends up playing for the LA Sparks in the movie, made a courtside appearance for one of the real-life games against NY Liberty this August. JuJu Watkins, a Sparks supporter herself, wasn’t oblivious to the fact. So as a fan of the star, Watkins wishes Lathan could make it to her game too, considering they play for the same city.

“I just saw Sanaa Lathan at a [Los Angeles] Sparks game,” Watkins shared with ‘Broadroom.tv’. “I’m like, she has to come to an SC game. That would just be so crazy. Just as a fan of ‘Love & Basketball’, growing up, that’s my favorite movie. I would be so starstruck if she came.”

While she wishes Lathan was there, Watkins is also grateful for the celebrities showing up in support.

Watkins’ high-level play was enough to earn praise from future WNBA mates and opponents alike, including Chelsea Gray, Aliyah Boston, and three-time MVP A’ja Wilson. In a game against No. 4 Stanford and its now-retired winningest coach, Tara VanDerveer, Watkins scored an astonishing 51 points. She went 14-for-26 from the field, helping No. 15 USC dominate the Cardinal 67-58 in the team’s final regular-season PAC-12 meeting.

“It’s always crazy seeing somebody famous in the stands and trying to focus, but we try to put on a show as much as we can,” Watkins said. Earning more than half of USC’s points, Watkins immediately garnered recognition from across the WNBA and collegiate basketball world.

But her success isn’t limited to the court

She’s making waves off-court, too. On October 29, Watkins made history by adding a major NIL partnership to her portfolio ahead of the 2025 season. “NYX is all about breaking boundaries and celebrating individuality, ” She said. She became the first collegiate basketball player to enter the makeup world with NYX Professional Makeup.

“I am thrilled to partner with NYX Professional Makeup to help further amplify their mission to inspire beauty enthusiasts around the world to embrace their own personal style,” Watkins shared. For her, the opportunity goes beyond basketball—she’ll be featured in various national marketing campaigns.

From the brand’s social media to other digital platforms, she’ll be advocating to “empower the loud, proud, and authentic self-expression of female athletes.” Her ‘Women of Color’ campaign will even appear in retail displays across the country. Impressive, right? Whether on or off the court, Watkins is clearly just getting started.