USC Women's Basketball: Kobe Bryant's Legend Looms Large For Trojans Star

The Black Mamba's first of three bronze statues was unveiled Thursday.

During her 51-point record outpouring against the Stanford Cardinal in a 67-58 victory last Thursday, star USC Trojans wing JuJu Watkins enjoyed her best night in college hoops (so far) while wearing Hall of Fame Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant's black snakeskin-style Kobe “Mambacita” signature shoes. 

Her footwear also paid tribute to his late daughter Gianna, as her No. 2 jersey adorned both sides of the kicks.

Per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times, the 6'2" shooting guard/small forward reflected this past Wednesday on Kobe's influence on her overwhelming offensive output. One of three promised bronze statues commemorating Bryant's legacy was unveiled in front of a throng of Lakers legends yesterday.

“Kobe is L.A.,” Watkins said after practice Wednesday with the sneakers untied and strewn on the floor at her feet. “I’m always just in constant awe of him and his legacy, and of course Gigi, too. [I’m] just always making sure I have that type of mindset and trying to adopt more of that Mamba mentality every time I step on the court.”

Through her first 19 contests, Watkins is averaging 27.3 points on .431/.353/.841 shooting splits (the second-most in the country), 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 dimes, 2.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks, while appearing on seemingly every midseason watchlist.