Juju Watkins, USC’s rising basketball star, has always been about idolizing the greats. She’s already caught national attention, and her game speaks for itself. Not to mention, she’s rocking those Nike commercials and making sure the spotlight stays on her. All this while, her love for Kobe Bryant has been obvious. However, it’s LeBron James who’s now getting her nod when it comes to choosing the one to take that game-winning shot.

Recently, CBS Sports gave Juju a scenario—down by one, three seconds left, who takes the final shot? And they put her in a spot. James Harden vs. LeBron? No hesitation, ‘LeBron.’ Kawhi Leonard vs. LeBron? Again, ‘LeBron.’ Stephen Curry vs. LeBron? You got it, ‘LeBron.’ Then came the tough one: LeBron or Kobe. For a moment, the 19-year-old paused, took a deep breath, and then said, ‘ LeBron.’

Juju might have picked the 4× NBA champion over the Black Mamba for that last shot, but there’s no denying Kobe’s influence on her game. The comparison is quite evident. Just like Kobe, she’s got that relentless scoring mindset, that ‘Mamba Mentality.’ As a freshman, the USC star is already putting up big numbers: averaging 27.3 points on solid shooting splits, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. 

The NBA legend was known for his killer instinct and for putting his team on his back, and Juju did the same at USC. And let’s not forget how her 51-point game against Stanford was no less than Kobe-esque. Moreover, she did it wearing his snakeskin-style Mambacita kicks, honoring both the Black Mamba and his daughter Gianna. Well, that’s respect for the legacy that Kobe built. But what made her choose King James then? 

Surpasses strong bond for Juju Watkins

James has been there, courtside, rooting for Juju and showing his support. He was there in December 2023, watching as she dropped 27 points, dished out five assists, and snatched five steals. After her 51-point game, the 2023 NBA Cup champion took to social media to congratulate her. It’s clear that he sees something special in her, and he has been pretty vocal about it. “She’s the next greatest thing in women’s basketball,” he said. 

The connection between both basketball stars has been more than just admiration as the Lakers’ power forward has been a role model, and Juju’s been watching, learning, and taking it all in. However, her choosing James over Bryant might come down to an all-around game. 

When the pressure is on, the 39-year-old has shown time and again that he can either make that shot or make the right passes. His track record speaks for itself. Undoubtedly, one of his most memorable clutch moments came in Game 5 of the 2018 Eastern Conference First Round against the Indiana Pacers. While the game was tied at 95 and just seconds remaining, he nailed a three-pointer to clinch a victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

And the young star sees that. Maybe that’s why Juju chose LeBron. It’s not a snub to Kobe but respect for the 3x Olympic gold medallist who delivers in those crucial moments. Amidst it all, we can’t deny that Watkins is only getting started, and she has that X factor. With some of the biggest names backing her up, she is destined for greatness!