Other than losing in the Elite Eight and not winning it all, USC Trojans All-American freshman and phenom JuJu Watkins' debut season in college couldn't have been better.
The 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth was the nation's second-leading scorer behind Iowa Hawkeyes superstar senior point guard Caitlin Clark. She averaged 27.1 points with .401/.319/.852 shooting splits and 7.3 points per game. She led the Cardinal and Gold to a stellar 29-6 record with rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.6 blocks.
It's not just statistics that fascinate experts. Her pure athleticism should translate well to the WNBA level. But don't worry, Trojans fans. The 18-year-old son of a local hero still has three seasons left. The Ringer's Bill Simmons reflected on her speed and the evolution of the women's game in general on a recent episode of her eponymous show, The Bill Simmons Podcast.
“Well, the style of play is 100 times better than it was 20 years ago. The slashing kicks and shooting are really fun to watch, and the players are more skilled. Did you see JuJu at the tournament? ” Simmons asked pod guest Joe House. “Her speed from coast to coast was just amazing. I never expected to see that in a women's basketball game like that.”
Other USCs: Legendary forward ranked in top 25 players on U.S. national team