"It's a little nerve-wracking": USC's JuJu Watkins recalls breaking Tina Hutchinson's freshman record

0JuJu Watkins enjoyed a historic freshman season with the USC Trojans last year. Among the many records she broke, one of them was the all-time freshman leading scorer in NCAA Division I history.

First set by Tina Hutchinson of San Diego State during the 1983-84 season, the record (898 points) stood for nearly 40 years until Watkins surpassed it with 900 points. On Flau'jae Johnson's 'Best of Both Worlds' podcast, the USC guard recalled the moment (14:49):

"I didn't know until the game. They was like, 'Oh yeah, you could potentially do this.'

"I'm like, 'Okay.' So it's just a little nerve-wracking, honestly. Because it's like, okay I got to do but (also) got to put the team first. I mean, I don't really think about it until the game."

JuJu Watkins surpassed the record during the Trojans' 80-73 loss to the UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight. After the game, the guard spoke to the press about her achievement.

"It's definitely an honor," Watkins said (via ESPN). "I mean, of course, like I said, not really the terms I would like to end on. On my season, I mean, I'm just blessed.

"This program has offered me a lot. I'm so grateful for it. It's just been a great season. The record is great. Just the moments that I've got to spend with this team have meant everything to me. I'm just excited for next year."

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JuJu Watkins shares the skills she honed over the off-season

With her sophomore season, JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans are set to play in the competitive Big Ten Conference. With this change, the guard has updated her skills, and she mentioned that during her podcast appearance with Flau'jae Johnson.

"Definitely left hand and also like pace," Watkins said (12:58). "Just slowing the game down that's the biggest thing for me this year. Then just repetition, like shooting with dead legs, trying to rep that every day."

"I think coming off screens, there's a lot, but also, I get blitzed a lot. So just being intentional with my moves, slowing it down, speeding up, getting to my spots."

She also underwent surgery on her right hand for issues from her high school days. As she was left without the use of the arm, JuJu Watkins used the time to work on her left-hand skills, which she severely lacked last season.

“The biggest thing is, it won’t matter where the defense tries to send her … ‘You try to send me left, send me right, doesn’t matter,’” her trainer Phil Handy said (via The Orange County Register). “‘I’ll be able to execute and dominate with both hands.’”

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What are your predictions for JuJu Watkins? Do you think she will be able to continue with her incredible performance next season? Let's know in the comments section below: