USC Women's Basketball: Trojans Assistant Convinced JuJu Watkins Already WNBA-Caliber

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 17, 2024

Apr 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) shoots a jump shot. / Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

All-American freshman USC Trojans shooting guard JuJu Watkins enjoyed a heck of a debut college season, and appears poised to inherit the "best player in the NCAA" mantle from the since-departed Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese.

The 6'2" Sierra Canyon School alum was so good, in fact, that one assistant coach on Lindsey Gottlieb's staff thinks the 18-year-old could already contribute at the next level.

“If I’m being completely honest, I think she could come off the bench and be a spark plug for somebody right now,” Trojans assistant coach Chris Koclanes said, perThuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times. “She would have to adapt because from high school to college, now college to the pro, it’s a whole other level of speed, physicality. But the way she’s been able to adjust already here, she’s going to be able to do it.”

Prior to joining USC, Koclanes had plied his trade for a pair of solid WNBA clubs in the Connecticut Sun and the Los Angeles Sparks.

“If these players are ready and they don’t want to be in school and they want to go pursue [the WNBA], I don’t see why you should hold them back,” Koclanes said. “Give them the option.”

During her freshman season, Watkins averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while leading USC to a 29-6 record and its first Elite Eight berth in 30 years.