“It feels like family”: JuJu Watkins opens up about special bond with USC teammates and coaches

JuJu Watkins is all set to begin her sophomore season with the USC Trojans. Last season, she led the team to the Elite Eight — the program's first appearance in 30 years.

For this season, the Trojans have added two graduate transfers, Kiki Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen, along with five freshmen recruits. In Tuesday's episode of "Boardroom," Watkins shared that she and her teammates have been active with team-building activities and retreats.

JuJu Watkins added that their off-court friendship forms the base of their on-court chemistry.

"I would say pretty much my friend group is my team," Watkins said (01:54). "It feels, you know, like family and the relationship between me and my coaches is just so important, especially (head coach) Lindsay (Gottlieb).

"She's one of the main reasons that I even went to USC just because she's just such a great coach and person. Having that feeling that I can go to her about anything and just trusting her. That's really everything I was looking for in a coach; that trust, that bond, just grateful for her."

---

JuJu Watkins talks about improvements to her game over the summer

After the Elite Eight loss in April, Watkins said in the press conference that she would be back in the gym and work on improving her game. She kept her word as she posted videos from her time at the facility while working with her trainer, Phil Handy.

In an interview with Andy Katz, Watkins talked about her offseason workouts:

"I think the biggest thing is just becoming a smarter player all around," Watkins said on Oct. 22. "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."

Apart from her individual workouts, JuJu Watkins also hit the floor with her new teammates, familiarizing herself with their games.

"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," Watkins said. "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."

The Trojans will begin their 2024-25 campaign against Ole Miss on Monday.