SUMMARY
- LeBron James was present at one of JuJu Watkins games against UC Riverside when she scored 27 points to lead USC to an undefeated record.
- JuJu claims James always tells her to keep going and succeed in her work.
JuJu Watkins is a name that took the basketball community by storm after making her college basketball debut. She has been making waves in the PAC-12 after the five-star recruit joined the USC Trojans in 2023. Watkins has established herself as a scoring threat and could very well be a challenger to Caitlin Clark’s legacy. Watkins quickly rose to fame and surpassed various records set by Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, and Elena Delle Donne.
Watkins set a new record for the highest-scoring season recorded by a freshman. The Trojans were thriving in her presence as they won the PAC-12 tournament title. Watkins earned a PAC-12 Freshman of the Year title while making the conference All-Freshman Team and All-PAC-12 Team. Along her incredible freshman journey stood LeBron James with overflowing support.
JuJu Watkins appreciates that LeBron James showers her with support
During a USC vs UC Riverside game, LeBron James decided to pay a visit to the Galen Center. JuJu Watkins had an incredible 27-point game while the 4x NBA Championship was seated courtside. During a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George, the USC star recalled seeing James come out to support her and her teammates during the game. She said, “I don’t think after that game I got to see him. But I think like every time I see him, it’s always just like, ‘Keep going.’”
JuJu added, “I mean, just what he’s able to accomplish, I think he’s just already inspiring just seeing how far he’s come. So, for him to really take some time out of his day and come watch us play is amazing.” James has arguably the most impressive trophy case in the NBA and his son formerly competed for the Trojans as well. Bronny James recently left USC to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft.
Paul George shared an important piece of advice to JuJu Watkins
While James continued to show JuJu Watkins support, Paul George also wanted to share his knowledge of being under the limelight. George addressed how money tends to throw superstars like Watkins off track and why it is important to focus on the game. He said, “Just [stay] grounded with what you do. It’s been working, and, you know, the saying is cliche, but it’s true, ‘All money ain’t good money.’ As long as it aligns with you, and it doesn’t, you know, overlap, or it doesn’t become more pressure added to you.”
HER.
JuJu Watkins has been named the Freshman of the Year and an All-American by USA Today Sports! pic.twitter.com/EMdpGfZnDv
— USC Women’s Basketball (@USCWBB) April 5, 2024
Watkins has already signed multiple NIL deals with various companies such as SpringHill, which is owned by LeBron, Nike, Wells Fargo, Celsius, Ritz, Dove, and also Klutch Sports. Her most recent signing was with NerdWallet, a company that helps its customers manage finances. Her NIL valuation currently stands over $500,000.
