USC guard JuJu Watkins reflects on biggest improvement in her game: "In terms of IQ, I've definitely grown"

JuJu Watkins delivered one of the best seasons ever by a first-year player. She shattered the freshman scoring record after tallying 920 points. Moreover, she constantly challenged Caitlin Clark for the NCAA scoring title last year.

Watkins averaged 27.1 points during her rookie season, while Clark led Division I with 31.6 points per game.

The USC player has been putting in the work this summer to refine her game. She expounded on this in an interview with Andy Katz released on Oct. 22.

"I think the biggest thing is just becoming a smarter player all around," Watkins said. "I'm lucky that I had that experience my first year, so now I kind of know what to expect. Got my feet wet a little bit, so just in terms of IQ, I've definitely grown; I'm seeing the results in the work I put in over the summer."

"Getting to know my teammates a little bit more—about where they like the ball and what not—so that I'm able to kind of control the floor. And I think the biggest thing for me is definitely efficiency, something that I definitely could have worked on or have worked on. So just excited to see how this year turns out."

Despite being a freshman, JuJu Watkins was the Trojans' leading scorer in 31 of their 35 games last season, including all NCAA tournament matches.

Moreover, she transformed the landscape of USC women's basketball by posting impressive numbers against top-tier teams, including 42 points against Colorado, 51 against Stanford and 32 against UCLA and Ohio State.

JuJu Watkins's USC to clash with Paige Bueckers' UConn near Christmas

Last season, USC's Elite Eight matchup against the UConn Huskies marked the end of Watkins' record-breaking season. Paige Bueckers' squad won the matchup 80-73, putting an end to the Trojans' year.

JuJu Watkins will get the chance to seek redemption on Dec. 21 when the two teams play again..

Aside from getting the win, Bueckers also emerged victorious in her individual matchup with Watkins. The UConn star posted 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks on 47.8% shooting, while Watkins notched 29 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks on a 39.1% clip.