From the moment she started dribbling a basketball at the age of seven, JuJu Watkins hasn’t looked back. As she enters her sophomore season, she has already earned multiple accolades. Shattering the Division I freshman scoring record, comparisons to the legendary Maya Moore, and many more. But do you know that she started writing this story back in her high school days when she was already a household name as the No. 1 recruit in the nation?

Prioritizing her game over all else, she consistently delivered standout performances. With her eyes set on excellence, she continued putting up big numbers.

JuJu Watkins’ time at Sierra Canyon

JuJu Watkins’ journey to the pinnacle of high school basketball began long before her record-setting senior year. She played her earlier years at Windward High, where her talent was evident. After transferring to Sierra Canyon for her junior year, she led her team to the Open Division state title with a 30–2 record, averaging 25 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. 

Her stellar play not only won her multiple Player of the Year titles from various prestigious organizations but also recognition from major publications. In 2022, as a junior, she was also named Gatorade California Player of the Year. 

Then, in her senior year, she earned the prestigious title of Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. But that was just one of many accolades. It was the USA Today High School Sports Awards Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2023 that placed her firmly among the elite in high school basketball.

From there, she was on the up and up, winning the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Trophy alongside USC men’s basketball signee Isaiah Collier. This historic moment marked the first time both top honors for high school basketball went to athletes committed to the same university. And she deserved every bit of it. After all, she led the Sierra Canyon to a remarkable 31-1, claiming the CIF Southern Section Open Division title. Over the course of the season, she averaged a staggering 27.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. 

Her exceptional performance also earned her a spot on the WBCA Coaches’ All-American Team, along with being named the WBCA High School Player of the Year. A standout moment came on her Senior Night when she scored an astonishing 60 points in a single game against Notre Dame High School, marking one of the highest point totals in history.

Even she proved that she can shine on big stages. For instance, leading the USA Basketball Women’s U17 National Team to victory at the FIBA World Cup. The hype around her was palpable. On one particular morning, as her team gathered for photos, Coach Alicia Komaki planned a surprise to celebrate Watkins’ achievements. 

WNBA star Candace Parker came in to give the Gatorade National Player of the Year award to the young star. “Juju was in the conversation as one of the nation’s top players in the Class of 2023 prior to playing her first high school game,” said Chris Menning, a national evaluator for Blue Star Basketball. 

Adding to the string of praises, Phillips, who has been a coach for three decades, shared, “I’ve coached against Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi, and comparatively when they were in high school, they were equally dominant. They’re just head and shoulders above their peers, and that’s where JuJu is. She’s head and shoulders above her peers in a lot of ways.” This comparison with the greats says a lot about her potential. 

Through it all, her family has been a great support. JuJu Watkins’ parents nurtured her talent from a young age. When she expressed a desire to pursue basketball more seriously, her parents developed a structured training regimen for her. And she made each effort count. 

Being recognized as a five-star recruit and the top player in the 2023 class by ESPN, Watkins attracted attention from elite college programs across the nation before ultimately committing to USC. But you know what? Beyond her impressive statistics and awards, what sets the 19-year-old apart is her commitment to the game.

Continuing the legacy of putting ‘game before fame’

The USC Trojans’ guard has always remained grounded, focusing on her development and performance rather than the accolades surrounding her. While many teenagers might revel, she stayed focused. In her own words, “I feel like a lot of people get so caught up in what’s going to happen and what the future looks like that they aren’t paying attention to what needs to happen now.” 

Off-court, the hoopers’ rise in popularity has drawn significant media attention and interest in her off-court endeavors. Notably, she became the first high school athlete to sign with Klutch Sports Group for NIL representation. She even signed a deal with Nike.

But instead of celebration, she had a very humble approach towards it, saying, “If I was one year older than what I am now, I would not have been able to accomplish this in high school. I’m honored and grateful and blessed to be a part of breaking more barriers and knocking down all the doors so that women behind us, all these women, younger women can look up to that and aspire to do even bigger things or be in the same position.”

Now, at USC, she has already rocked her freshman year and is projected as the No. 1 pick for the WNBA draft in 2027. At the same, she keeps her ‘game before fame’ spirit alive as she is often seen redirecting praise towards her teammates and coaching staff, dedicating her time to practice and minimum self-promotion.

No doubt, she is poised to make an even greater impact, continuing to redefine what it means to be a true champion. And we are all in to witness it.