“You look good, you play good”: USC’s JuJu Watkins explains reason behind donning her famous hairstyle

JuJu Watkins, who rose to prominence in college basketball this season, has captivated fans not just with her skills on the court but also her unique hairstyle. The USBWA National Freshman of the Year is always seen on the hardwood with her hair styled in a slicked-back bun.

It became popular among fans and eventually became Watkins' signature look. On Flau'jae Johnson's podcast 'Best of Both Worlds,' on Thursday, Watkins, a six-foot-two combo guard, provided the reasoning behind her iconic hairstyle.

"That was crazy. I think for me, it's like a superstition thing and, like, bun gives me confidence, honestly. You know, you look good, you play good," JuJu said.

"I hope that little girls doing that and playing, I feel like, I hope that gives them the same kind of feeling, just that confidence. I've been wearing it since I was like five. It's just a thing."

Johnson also noted the Philadelphia star Joel Embiid wearing what's now called the 'JuJu Bun' in a commercial and said that it has become a staple for many. She also compared Watkins doing bun with her wearing the headband every game.

"I feel you. I gotta wear my head band, like, that's my thing. It got to be on every game or Imma feel crazy. Imm feel naked," Flau'jae said.

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JuJu Watkins shares her experience watching Paris Olympics

USC star JuJu Watkins recalled her experience attending the 2024 Olympics in Paris alongside LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson.

On the 'Best of Both Worlds' podcast, the two talked about a wide range of subjects starting from comparing their school's legends to their summer moments. Johnson, who wasn't at the Olympics, was curious about how Watkins felt watching all the action (01:42).

"It was crazy. Just the environment," JuJu said. "I got to see a lot of different sports. I didn’t get to see basketball, but I saw gymnastics, volleyball and track and it was just crazy.

"I saw the women's 100-meter final. This girl from St. Lucia, she won," JuJu continued. "From the outside looking in, there’s so many different countries in there supporting. So, the energy and the vibes are just amazing and to see the greatest in the world compete, it’s really, it’s just inspiring."

JuJu Watkins also mentioned that she wished she had seen Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's incredible run in the women's 400m hurdles final, where Sydney broke her own world record.