When JuJu Watkins wasn’t born, Cheryl Miller put the entire women’s basketball on the map. Yes, not just USC, where she applied her traits and won back-to-back championships. Even though she could never turn pro, still today many athletes respect her for paving the way. One such star is Watkins, who is also trying to bring back the lost glory to the Trojans program. But in her pursuit, she recently suffered a season-ending injury. This unfortunate end reminded the CBS reporter of a similar fate that Miller had gone through that changed the trajectory of her career.

“I’ll be honest: as I saw the injury and then officially heard what the injury was there was a part of my mind that could not let Cheryl Miller out of out of my Consciousness.” Erica Ayala was on CBS Sports HQ to discuss the injury blow of the USC star. She narrated the story of Reggie Miller’s elder sister and the injury problems she had to face back in the 80s. Plus, how these injuries took a toll and because of which the 61-year-old never turned pro.

“Because for those who know Cheryl Miller, we did not see her at the pro level, we did not see her after her USC days at the international stage because she uh had an ACL injury. And back then in the 80s, the technology, the rehab what we know about the injuries is not what it is today.” The injury was back in 1987, when the 2x NCAA champion was playing a pickup game in the USC campus. Similar to JuJu Watkins, Miller tried to split two defenders but ended up tangling her leg.

The fall caused an ACL tear, and at the age of 22, further plans of pursuing basketball were washed away. However, Ayala believes this necessary won’t be the fate of JuJu Watkins. “That’s the good news for JuJu, that’s the good news for this USC team. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, but we do know that she will have great care.”

Did you know the sophomore guard already shares a bond with the USC alum? No doubt, they will communicate, and Miller might help her out with overcoming the injury.

JuJu Watkins on her bond with the Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller

Last year, the 19-year-old surpassed Miller’s 39-year-old record for most 30-point games in a season. A month after the achievement, the 6″2′ baller spoke in length about Miller’s impact on the program and its effect on her. Even though she wasn’t back then, Watkins still considers the 3x Naismith Player of the Year to be her inspiration.

“Just thinking of how much she (Cheryl Miller) was able to accomplish in her team. I think that just understanding the history here. Wanting to kind of revive that in a sense and create a new era here at SC was really important to me. I aspire to do at least some of the things that she was able to accomplish.” The impact of Miller on the program was huge. She played for four years and helped the team to two NCAA titles with a 132-4 record. The contributions on the hardwood looked like 3,026 points, 1,353 rebounds, and 368 assists. Miller even broke the scoring mark for the state by averaging 37.5 points per game.

The record-breaking feat also includes a 105-point game. She did not play but earned the recognition and demanded people’s attention with her display. That’s why JuJu Watkins previously stated achieving greatness like Miller. But now her focus would be rehab from her season-ending injury, and then continue to leave a mark on the USC program.