USC Trojans' JuJu Watkins Makes History, Usurps Caitlin Clark

In a win over the No. 1 UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins made history in college basketball, recording a statline that no men's or women's player has registered this century, including former Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark.

Feb 13, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) drives to the basket against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) during the first quarter at Galen Center. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

In a resounding win over the No. 1 UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins made history, accomplishing a feat that former Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark or former LSU Tigers star Angel Reese never reached in their respective college careers.

Watkins became the first player of the century in Division I college basketball, men's or women's, to record a statline of 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 5+ blocks, and 5+ three pointers made, according to OptaSTATS. Watkins finished the game with 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, and five assists. She also made six of nine three-point attempts.

Feb 13, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) drives to the basket against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) during the first quarter at Galen Center. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Her incredible performance came in the biggest moment of the Trojans' season, a home game against the unanimous No. 1 team in the country and crosstown rival, the UCLA Bruins. In fact, the Bruins were previously undefeated before falling to Watkins and the Trojans on Thursday night.

The Trojans beat the Bruins 71-60 in a back-and-forth game, stamping themselves as one of the elite programs in women's college basketball this season. After the game, Watkins spoke to the media about her performance and gave credit to her teammates as well as her coach, Lindsay Gottlieb.

"I think coach (Gottlieb) has always been by my side throughout the whole process. And she calms me down in moments, and, you know, puts me in the right position to do what I do. And you know, these past couple of weeks have been tough from a shooting percentage perspective, but we have the relationship where it's like, you got the next one, you got the next one. So, I just think that that confidence in me is really all I need. And it just motivates me to go out there and play freely," said Watkins after the game."

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Women's basketball has exponentially grown in popularity over the last few years, mainly thanks to the star power of Watkins, Clark, Reese, and many others. A number of celebrities were in attendance at the Galen Center to watch USC and UCLA face off, including comedian Kevin Hart, WNBA star Kelsey Plum, and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels among others.

The game received national attention, and Watkins even received some praise from NBA legend Lebron James.

YES SHE DID!!! JUJU TOO TOUGH!! 🔥🔥🔥💪🏾

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 14, 2025

The Trojans fell out of the top-five in the AP Top-25 Poll after suffering an upset loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Currently ranked No. 6 in the country, USC is expected to rise when the updated rankings are released. Will the Bruins fall below the Trojans? UCLA still holds one of the better resumes in the nation with only one loss, but USC now has the head-to-head victory.

After the game, Gottlieb also spoke to the media about JuJu's game, refusing to take any credit.

"I know you're going to ask me a million questions. I didn't teach JuJu (Watkins) any of that. Just trying to put her in situations to be her best self, and she does most of that work. And what I was so impressed with tonight, obviously was the mentality she came out with, obviously the ball going through the net helps. . . . She ends up with eight blocks as well," said Gottlieb.

USC and UCLA have another matchup scheduled for March 1 in Pauley Pavillion, and the game will serve as the regular season finale for both teams. Before that, however, Watkins, Gottlieb, and the Trojans will travel to Seattle, Washington to face the Washington Huskies on Sunday.

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