USC HC Lindsay Gottlieb reacts as JuJu Watkins earns Big 10 honor for the 2nd time this season

USC sophomore guard JuJu Watkins has once again earned her second Big Ten Player of the Week honor this season. Watkins delivered an unforgettable performance that helped the No. 7 Trojans secure a historic victory against No. 4 UConn, marking the program's first-ever win over the Huskies.

In the thrilling 72-70 road game at Hartford’s XL Center, Watkins led the way with 25 points in front of a packed crowd of 15,684. This result ended UConn's unbeaten home streak, which had stood since February 2023. The University of Southern California celebrated Watkins’ achievement with a post on their official Instagram account, captioned:

“No surprise here. JuJu Watkins is the @B1Gwbball Player of the Week for the second time this season!”

Her coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, reshared the post, adding some words of encouragement:

“Really proud of @jujubbalin.”

Lindsay Gottlieb reacts to JuJu Watkins' achievement

Watkins’ consistency has been a highlight of USC’s season. She has scored 20 or more points in 11 of the team’s 12 games, hitting double digits in every single one. In her last three outings, she has also recorded five assists per game.

Earlier this month, she earned her first Player of the Week accolade after an impressive 40-point game against California Baptist University and a 21-point performance during USC’s conference-opening win over Oregon.

JuJu Watkins leading USC towards historic win

USC’s triumph over UConn was a defining moment for the Trojans, especially for the returning players who experienced a heartbreaking loss to the Huskies in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

After the win, USC players celebrated enthusiastically, showering Watkins and head coach Lindsay Gottlieb with water bottles in the locker room. Gottlieb, sporting a soaked hairstyle and a beaming smile, talked during the postgame press conference.

“This is a really significant win, and it’s a really significant win because of the stature of UConn’s program and what Geno Auriemma has done for our sport,” Gottlieb said.

“It doesn’t matter to me that they haven’t won a championship in a couple years. There’s still a way that they prepare, a way that they play that makes you better, and it made us better. To bring a team here and know that we could do it, and then to actually do it, is incredibly meaningful.”

This landmark victory propelled USC up the rankings to No. 4. The Trojans will now return to Galen Center after a brief holiday break to host their first-ever Big Ten Conference home games. They are set to face No. 23 Michigan on December 29 and Nebraska on January 1.

JuJu Watkins isn’t just making waves in college basketball with her scoring prowess; she’s also emerging as a dominant force in the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) market. With the departure of Caitlin Clark to the WNBA, Watkins has stepped into the spotlight as one of the most marketable athletes in women’s sports.

Represented by Klutch Sports’ Jade Li English, Watkins has built a portfolio of endorsements with major brands like Nike, Gatorade, Celsius, Cactus Jack, NerdWallet and Funko.

She was also named SBJ’s Best NIL Athlete of the Year, a recognition of her remarkable influence and brand partnerships. One of Watkins’ most high-profile deals is with State Farm, where she joined Caitlin Clark as the company’s second-ever NIL athlete.