Despite USC’s Elite Eight loss to UConn, talented freshman JuJu Watkins found herself in tears. However, her emotions weren’t solely tied to the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament run for the Trojans. Watkins was saddened by the realization that it marked the last game she would play with her teammates until the following season.

“I have the best teammates in the world,” she said, her voice trailing off as she wept.

As a freshman, JuJu Watkins earned the prestigious honor of being named an AP first-team All-American. Throughout the season, she showcased her talent by averaging 27 points per game, second only to Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, who made history by setting the all-time Division I scoring record.

Watkins demonstrated her potential to fill the void left by Clark once the Iowa standout moves on to the WNBA after this season.

In the final game of her freshman campaign, a hard-fought 80-73 loss to the Huskies, Watkins showcased her talent with a remarkable 29-point performance. Notably, she also surpassed the single-season freshman scoring record, previously held at 898 points since 1983 by Tina Hutchinson of San Diego State. Watkins concluded her season with an impressive tally of 920 points, solidifying her place as a rising star in collegiate basketball.

“The record is great. Just the moments that I’ve got to spend with this team have meant everything to me,” she said. “I’m just excited for next year.”

Watkins burst onto the collegiate scene with a remarkable debut, scoring 32 points in a standout performance that propelled USC to an 83-74 victory over Ohio State. Her impact continued throughout the season, reaching a pinnacle when she tallied a season-high 51 points in a thrilling 67-58 win over Stanford on Feb. 2.

In the Sweet 16 matchup, Watkins displayed her clutch gene, seizing control in the crucial final moments. With just 3:13 remaining on the clock, she orchestrated a decisive three-point play by driving the length of the floor, propelling the Trojans to a thrilling 74-70 victory over Baylor. Watkins concluded the game with 30 points, guiding USC to its first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years.

“It’s really rare that you get a superstar that can come in. She’s selfless. She’s mature. She’s a winner. She only cares about winning. She’s (expletive) 18 years old. Sorry. Excuse my language,” Forbes said. “Seriously, I would want to be her teammate every day of the week. I truly mean that. I think this program couldn’t be in better hands than with her.”

The Trojans’ journey in the tournament was halted at the Elite Eight stage, where they encountered a formidable UConn team led by star player Paige Bueckers. Despite Watkins’ formidable talent, she faced a formidable challenge from the Huskies, who effectively employed double-teaming tactics to contain her impact on the game.

“For her to have the year she had as a freshman, fearless, confident, one of the best players in the country, she’s got a lot to build on,” Bueckers said. “I know getting here, feeling this loss, we’ve been a part of it, it’s very motivating. It lets you build experience on how to be better, how to learn from it.”

Watkins, a local talent who attended Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles, emerged as one of the standout freshmen of the season, alongside notable peers like Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Texas’ Madison Booker.

Against the backdrop of Hollywood, Watkins shone brightly, capturing the Los Angeles spotlight. Her distinct presence even earned her a spot in a television commercial alongside Joel Embiid for AT&T, showcasing her trademark bun hairstyle—an endorsement deal among several others she secured.

Despite the glamour of endorsements and the allure of Hollywood, it’s the game itself that continues to drive and motivate Watkins.

“I think just coming up short, that adds a lot of fuel to the fire for the next couple years,” she said. “I’m just excited to go back home and get in the gym now. I’m really focused on learning from this season as a whole, things I can improve on.”