USC Women's Basketball: Prolific JuJu Watkins Already In Elite Scoring Company

The freshman phenom is lighting it up on the scoreboard.
USC Women's Basketball: Prolific JuJu Watkins Already In Elite Scoring Company
USC Women's Basketball: Prolific JuJu Watkins Already In Elite Scoring Company /
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Just five games into her collegiate career, USC women's basketball freshman phenom guard JuJu Watkins has broken a 30-year-old record as she continues to dominate on the court.

In the No. 8 Trojans' comeback win over Penn State, Watkins had 31 points, her third game scoring 30 or more this season. Trojan legend Lisa Leslie was the last USC women's basketball player to have three 30-point games as a freshman, meaning Watkins will very likely shatter the record as there is plenty of basketball to be played.

Leslie won three MVP awards in the WNBA and was a two-time champion. In her time at USC, she set Pac-10 records for scoring (2,414), rebounding (1,214) and blocked shots (321).

Watkins also secured her first career double-double, securing 12 rebounds in the victory. The highlights didn't stop coming as the freshman guard sunk a half-court shot to beat the buzzer at halftime.

In addition to Watkins' sensational performance, forward Rayah Marshall had her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Kayla Padilla went three-for-three from beyond the arc.

Facing a six-point deficit with under two minutes remaining, Watkins scored the Trojans' final seven points to continue USC's unbeaten streak.

The Trojans are 5-0 and will be back in action against Cal Poly next Tuesday.

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Patrick Warren
PATRICK WARREN

Patrick Warren is a 2023 graduate of USC and was the sports editor at the Daily Trojan, covering firsthand the inaugural season of the Lincoln Riley era. He is originally from Chattanooga, TN.