JuJu Watkins is back to create more damage this season. The USC Trojans star left a huge impression as a freshman last year and is already leagues ahead as seen in the first two games of the season so far. After breaking the NCAA freshman scoring record with 920 points, surpassing even Caitlin Clark, Watkins has now upped her game both defensively and offensively. And USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb knows she can improve even more.

Speaking to the press after their dominant 90-35 win over the Cal Poly Mustangs, a reporter asked Gottlieb if Watkins had been working on her blocks. The sophomore guard is averaging 5 blocks per game per ESPN, and her coach is proud of her progress.

“I think we all see how improved she is in a lot of different areas, whether it shows out on the stat sheet,” Gottlieb said. “But I think a big jump from freshman year to sophomore year is you know what’s going on.”

Because when establishing a new player-coach relationship, “You’re just using your talent and figure it out on the fly. And I think if you’re half a second quicker to the spot, if you know what’s coming, if you’re jumping for the ball and you know the back screen’s coming…then you’re athleticism, your talents come out even more.”

Gottlieb knows JuJu is quicker to end up where the ball is going to be now, “So I think we’re seeing a lot of that. She’s in the right place at the right time.”

The reigning Freshman of the Year posted 16 points and 6 rebounds with 2 steals and 4 blocks against Cal Poly, and the game was fortunately drama-free, unlike the much-contested technical foul from Game 1 of the season played in Paris.

In that matchup, she had 5 blocks and the average is looking to rise this season with her offense. She also added a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds along with 3 steals in Paris. It would remind us of why her play style is compared to Kobe Bryant’s and it’s only going to get better.

Calling her a “ridiculous shot blocker,” Gottlieb continued, “They just have that natural kind of ability with the size but if you’re in the right spot, then can do those things that some other people maybe can’t do.”

Even former Lisa Leslie is impressed by the USC sophomore, but she does point out one major flaw in Watkins’ game.

Lisa Leslie reminds JuJu Watkins of one thing about basketball

JuJu Watkins’ stardom is on the rise and Lindsay Gottlieb has been taking notes from Iowa to help her deal with this new change. At times, it might feel isolating to be singled out all the time. But it’s exactly what Lisa Leslie wants Watkins to work on and remember that basketball is played with 5 people on the court.

“I love JuJu Watkins. I think she’s a phenomenal player… scorer. She was blocking shots. Like she was… she’s a good shot blocker,” the former pro said about basketball being a team sport on the latest episode of Just Women’s Sports. “But the idea that I feel like she’s so good and talented but you have to build trust with her. And she doesn’t quite trust her teammates…I’m just saying, JuJu is gonna have to trust her teammates more.”

The USC Trojans have won both their games so far this season and were dominant last season as well, with Watkins largely helping them to reach the Elite Eight. But while working on their individual game is all well and good, Leslie thinks the teammates working better in harmony could make the Trojans even more fearsome.