USC alum Saweetie shares importance of relationship with JuJu Watkins and squad

JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans played their home opener against Cal Poly at Galen Center on Sunday. Celebrities like rapper Saweetie, Los Angeles Sparks' Chiney Ogwumike and Trojan legend Cheryl Miller were there, cheering for the team.

After the 90–35 win, Saweetie, who graduated from USC in 2016 with a bachelor's in communication, joined the Trojans in their locker room for a chat. Overtime WBB posted a video on Instagram of the rapper addressing the team.

"I don't know what else to say because you guys are already winners, you guys are already doing that," she said. "There's a reason why you guys are here today. They recruited you."

"If I could give you some game, it would be, really cherish the relationships that you have with one another. Because after you, you know, the time clock goes out, after you guys graduate, these relationships will stick with you for the rest of your life."

---

JuJu Watkins and USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb comment on their successful partnership

Lindsay Gottlieb joined the USC Trojans in 2021 and has already managed to turn the program around, making it the focal point of women's college basketball. The biggest change the team saw last season was JuJu Watkins joining the team.

The Trojans advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to UConn for the first time in 30 years. Despite the loss, the ball had been set in motion for USC's rise. The Trojans look set for a championship run with Watkins, a No. 1 ranked freshman class and two veteran seniors joining the team.

In an interview with Boardroom, Watkins spoke about her trust in coach Gottlieb and explained that she was the reason the guard chose USC.

"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."

The coach also spoke about the crucial role of Watkins within the team.

“The other thing that jumps out is she really is a dog and a winner," Gottlieb said. "She’ll play through injury. She’s tough. She exudes sort of a competitiveness that, again, other people really feed off of.

"And then I would say that the growth we’ve seen is really her trusting her voice and being a vocal leader as well.”

USC had a great start to its season with two wins in a row. It will next host CSUN on Tuesday and Santa Clara on Friday.