Like any number of basketball players in the college or pro scenario, JuJu Watkins proudly repped Kobe Bryant in her freshman year at USC. Now she has her own historic deal with Nike – one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball. But whether she wears her own line or the NBA great on the court, fans will always compare her to the Black Mamba.

When a recent video of her playing style compared to the Lakers’ legend went viral, fans couldn’t help but notice how Watkins could very well be the next Kobe in the W. The video posted by Women’s Hoops Network begins with them chewing gum in between plays and goes on to show how the two approach defense near the hoop similarly – confusing them with dribbling and then taking a shot either inside or from near the three-point line. “JuJu most definitely studied the Mamba. Her moves & form are all Kobe. 🔥🔥” as one fan points out.

Moving on, while Watkins’ talent alongside her Kobe “Mambacita” sneakers shine on the court, it’s more about the Mamba Mentality she imbues in herself. Watkins has that relentless scoring mindset, if last season’s numbers are anything to go by.

The 19-year-old averaged 27.3 points on solid shooting splits, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game and impressed NBA and WNBA stars alike. Once Kobe Bryant had described had five pillars to channeling one’s own Mamba mentality – fearlessness, relentlessness, passion, obsessiveness, and resilience. And Watkins certainly brings it all to the court.

Basketball fans can’t wait to see more of JuJu Watkins- the “bucket getter”

The era of Caitlin Clark in college basketball is gone; now it’s time for JuJu Watkins to take over the mantle. Setting the national freshman scoring record at 920 points, Watkins is ready to usher in a new Trojans era. She already helped lead the school to the Eilte Eight for the first time in 30 years last season, and much of her play is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant.

Another fan compares the late Bryant daughter to the USC sophomore, “Juju 🤞🏾 Gigi”. At just 13 years of age, Gigi Bryant had often been compared to her father, especially their height. Watkins herself had said last season, “Kobe is L.A. I’m always just in constant awe of him and his legacy, and of course Gigi, too. [I’m] just always making sure I have that type of mindset and trying to adopt more of that Mamba mentality every time I step on the court.”

It’s almost exactly what Watkins did all of last year and is expected to continue doing in the upcoming season. Her teammate India Otto described her as “a relentless worker…detail-oriented. A perfectionist who doesn’t stop until she gets it right,” per the LA Times.

But interestingly, JuJu Watkins shuns comparisons to Bryant herself. When asked for an NBA comparison, she stated that No. 24 was “too great.” “I get Paul George sometimes a lot,” Watkins said instead, “and that’s just like the best compliment ever. So yeah, I’ll say Paul.”

Gearing up for tip off on Nov. 4, USC fans can’t wait to see their favorite in action. “Can’t wait to watch her hoop this year I’m not missing a game she a bucket getter 💯” one wrote. While another said, “She’s good good 🔥😍” While the 19-year-old has a few years left before she can be eligible for the WNBA draft, the basketball community is already imagining her in the pro leagues. “The WNBA is in great hands w CC, Paige Buckets then JuJu…bring on the youth movement,” as one fan said.

JuJu Watkins now carries on the legacy of the Black Mamba in Southern California, with her ability to perform at a high level even after a devastating loss. And isn’t that all what the Mamba Mentality is about?