Can JuJu Watkins Surpass Cheryl Miller As USC Trojans’ Greatest of All-Time?

The current NCAA season belongs to freshmen. Whether it is the South Carolina Gamecocks’ guard MiLaysia Fulwiley or the University of Southern California Trojans’ guard JuJu Watkins, the fans have seen a lot of breakout stars this year. Watkins particularly has been at the top of her balling finesse such that she has been seen as a threat to the NCAA star Caitlin Clark. Now with her perpetual brilliance, she is also seen by many as the contender to the former USC star Cheryl Miller.

Miller notably holds a lot of records for the USC and she became the first baller whose jersey number was retired by the college.

How was Cheryl Miller, the athlete?

Miller played the role of a forward in the USC team and was a four-year letter winner. Smashing 3018 points, Miller ranks at the fourteenth spot in the all-time leading scorers in NCAA history. Other than that, she ranks at the tenth spot currently in the all-time rebounds in NCAA women’s history with an astounding number of 1,534.

The 3x Naismith award winner had the lowest points average in her freshman year with an exceptional 20.4 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per match. Additionally, she had 3.5 assists per game in the first year. The Wade Trophy winner led the Trojans to an impeccable record of 112-20 with NCAA titles in 1983 and 1984 consecutively. For her brilliant contribution of 22 points per game with 10.6 rebounds per match, she was named the MVP for both these years. 

During the next two years, her competitive spirit only increased when she thrashed 26.8 points per game with a towering 15.8 rebounds per match. In terms of points and rebounds tally, this was the best season for Miller. She picked her second Naismith award for her exemplary performance.

During her final year with the USC, Miller averaged an extraordinary 25.4 points per match, grabbing 12.2 rebounds per outing in the process. She also had a wonderful steal average of 4 in that year. She won her third Naismith award in a row in that year.

Overall, she still holds a lot of USC records including that of points, rebounds, field goals, field throws, steals, and games played. In 1986, she became the first player male or female whose jersey was retired by the USC. The number 31 thus cannot be donned by anyone in the USC basketball. 

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But does Watkins stand a chance to beat Miller? An analysis of her performances will paint a better picture.

How has Watkins performed?

Watkins is having a breakthrough year as a freshman, She has basketed a spectacular 26.9 points per game with 7.2 rebounds per match. She also has an impressive 45% field goal percentage along with 79% free throw percentage. Her 44.1% three-pointer percentage has established her as an outstanding shooter for the USC.

She proved her prowess and put up a resilient show during the USC’s loss to the UCLA Bruins by dropping 27 points with 11 rebounds. Her stats thus displayed that she is fantastic both with her offensive and defensive skills. Her other exceptional performance came against the Penn State when she nabbed 12 rebounds and smoked 31 points in the process. She also had a remarkable 45% field goal percentage and a 11-for-14 free throws. Watkins’s achievement at least in this season for the USC has been unmatched.

She stands only behind the Iowa Hawkeeys star Caitlin Clark who has besotted a humongous 31.5 points per match. Many critics are also curious to know if Watkins will sweep all the major NPOY awards in her freshman year. If she does so, she will become the second player in the women’s NCAA basketball after the Univeristy of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers to win the Naismith Award. 

The California-born athlete had her season high of 35 points against the Le Moyne Dolphins. She topped that up with 9 rebounds which was the cherry on the cake for her. Her next best gameplay in terms of points was in her opening game when the USC locked horns with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Thus, her first game announced her coming on the college basketball circuit.

The USC have given her the space to be the alpha in the team and that has benefited both Watkins and the team. If she continues her on-song performances who knows she might give Clark a run for her awards. Watkins and Miller have assumed quite similar roles for their teams and surely their names can be taken in the same breath. The two exemplify the quote – “Great accomplishments depend not so much on ingenuity as on hard work.”

Can Watkins eclipse Miller?

Comparing both the players just in terms of points shows that Watkins might surpass Miller in terms of points in the first season. While Miller soused 673 points in her freshman season, Watkins has potted 268 till now. If she goes on to continue her incredible performances, she might be able to eclipse Miller in the first season.

Where Watkins might not be able to touch Miller is her rebounds. While she has nabbed 7.2 rebounds per game, Miller grabbed a whopping 9.7 rebounds per match in the first season. The thing to note here is that Watkins has been given the alpha role while Miller’s teammates included basketball legends namely Cynthia Cooper. 

Watkins emerging as the best USC player depends on a lot of other factors including the number of seasons she plays with the USC and the role she assumes throughout her stay. Looking at it right now can not provide the exact picture since Watkins has only played 11 games.

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By the end of the season, it will be clearer because Watkins, if she were to leave a mark as the best USC player, this year towards the end will provide a better picture of her caliber since she needs to outdo Miller in terms of stats in all the departments. Miller notably still leads the USC stats in many departments, and Watkins will be able to get there only if she plays for the USC atleast for three years.