Geno Auriemma Shared His Bold Two-Word Message to USC’s JuJu Watkins After UConn's Win

Kristen Wong | Apr 2, 2024

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

UConn Huskies' Geno Auriemma has had the undeniable pleasure of coaching Paige Bueckers for the last four years, but that didn’t stop him from recognizing a special talent on the other side of the court.

After the Huskies’ 80-73 win over the USC Trojans in the Portland Region 3 final in the NCAA tournament, Auriemma paid a compliment of the highest order to freshman standout JuJu Watkins.

A teary-eyed Watkins was briefly consoled by UConn's Paige Bueckers following the final whistle. Auriemma, who booked his 23rd trip to the Final Four, also shared a moment with the Trojans star in the postgame handshake line and apparently told Watkins to “go pro.”

What did Geno Auriemma say to JuJu Watkins in the handshake line after the game?

"Go pro" 💀 pic.twitter.com/dp5kJgGkkE

— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) April 2, 2024

Watkins, who just wrapped up her freshman year at USC, will not be eligible for the WNBA draft until after her senior season in 2027. However, the sentiment is clear.

Watkins finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in Monday’s loss to the Huskies to cap off an impressive All-American campaign. The former five-star recruit made history in this year’s NCAA tournament as she passed Tina Hutchinson to become the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in Division I women’s college basketball history. Watkins’s 29 points gave her 920 for the season, beating Hutchinson’s previous record of 898 for San Diego State during the 1983-84 season.

Though Watkins didn't get her fairytale ending, the Pac-12 freshman of the year helped carry the Trojans to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1994.

As one of women’s basketball’s biggest up-and-coming stars, the 18-year-old Watkins is going places—UConn coach Geno Auriemma knows it, and after Monday night, the rest of the world likely knows it, too.