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JuJu Watkins

JuJu Watkins is an American college basketball player for the USC Trojans.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

JuJu Watkins is an American college basketball player for the USC Trojans. A guard from the Los Angeles area, she has been one of the most highly decorated players in women’s college basketball, earning multiple national player-of-the-year honors and All-American selections. She missed the 2025–26 season while recovering from a right ACL tear.

Early life and high school career

Watkins was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in the area. She attended Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, where she emerged as one of the nation’s top high school basketball prospects.

College career at USC

Watkins joined the USC Trojans and quickly became one of the most prominent players in women’s college basketball. She set major freshman scoring marks and later earned several national player-of-the-year awards.

International play

Watkins has represented the United States in youth international competition. She won gold at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship and also competed in later youth events.

Playing profile and recognition

Watkins is a 6-foot-2 guard known for scoring, rebounding, and all-around play. Her performance has brought multiple All-American selections and major collegiate honors.

Injury and absence

Watkins suffered a right ACL tear during the 2025 NCAA tournament. USC announced that she would miss the 2025–26 college basketball season while recovering.

Key facts

  • Watkins plays women’s college basketball for USC and is listed as a guard.
  • She was a top recruit in the Class of 2023 and chose USC after high school.
  • She has won major national honors, including AP Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year.
  • Watkins helped lead USC to conference success and deep NCAA tournament runs.
  • She sustained a right ACL tear during the 2025 NCAA tournament and missed the 2025–26 season.

Frequently asked questions

Who is JuJu Watkins?
JuJu Watkins is an American college basketball guard for USC who has become one of the most accomplished and widely recognized players in women’s college basketball.
What is JuJu Watkins’s full name?
Her full name is Judea Skies Watkins.
What team does JuJu Watkins play for?
She plays for the USC Trojans women’s basketball team.
How tall is JuJu Watkins?
She is listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m).
Where is JuJu Watkins from?
She is from the Los Angeles, California, area.
Why did JuJu Watkins miss the 2025–26 season?
She missed the season while recovering from a right ACL tear suffered during the 2025 NCAA tournament.

References

  1. USC Athletics — https://usctrojans.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/watkins-juju/17643
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, height, position, school, hometown, family details, academic major, and player profile.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/player/bio/_/id/5175946/juju-watkins
    Supports: College team, position, height, birthplace, status, and national recognition.
  3. USA Basketball — https://www.usab.com/players/juju-watkins
    Supports: National team profile, height, hometown, high school, and USA Basketball participation.
  4. Gatorade — https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/juju-watkins/38946
    Supports: High school honors, height, school, and youth national team achievements.
  5. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/46416498/usc-juju-watkins-miss-2025-26-college-basketball-season
    Supports: ACL injury, season absence, and recent college accomplishments.
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/JuJu_Watkins
    Supports: Youth career notes and 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship gold medal mention.