USC’s JuJu Watkins Makes History as First-Team All-American, Leading Trojans to No. 1 Seed
The 2024 season has been a remarkable one for the USC women’s basketball team. The Trojans have achieved something that hadn’t happened in 38 years—securing the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Tournament. This accomplishment marks a historic milestone for USC women’s basketball, as they have not held this prestigious position since 1986.
Adding to their accomplishments, USC clinched the Pac-12 Tournament title for the first time in a decade. The team’s success is further highlighted by their role as hosts for NCAA Tournament games at their on-campus arena, Galen Center, for the very first time in its nearly two decade history.
This season has been filled with landmarks and achievements for USC women’s basketball, including another significant feat: JuJu Watkins becoming a First-Team All-American—a distinction that hasn’t been bestowed upon any player from the program since Tina Thompson received it back in 1996.
JuJu Watkins’ inclusion on the All-America Team does not come as a surprise given her exceptional scoring abilities throughout the season. She consistently ranked second in points per game, just behind Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.
Even without her defensive contributions, Watkins would have likely earned Second-Team All-America honors based purely on her offensive prowess.
However, it is Watkins’ defensive skills that elevate her to first-team status on the All-America roster. She is an elite on-ball defender and regularly records multiple steals per game. Additionally, she demonstrates shot-blocking capabilities and exhibits excellent instincts as a help defender for USC.
It is her ability to excel at both ends of the court that solidifies her deserving place among first-team selections. With Watkins leading their charge as a First-Team All-American, all eyes are now on how far she can carry the Trojans in this year’s Women’s NCAA Tournament.