"We're kinda hot right now": JuJu Watkins builds "a new era" of women's basketball with USC Trojans

USC guard JuJu Watkins believes the Trojans are building a new era of women's basketball, based on how the team played last season and the promising lineup they'll parade in the 2024-25 college basketball season.

Watkins acknowledged the changes in the sit-down interview for Boardroom TV. The 6-foot-2 guard believes the stories and motivations of every USC player have propelled them to be one of the favorites this coming season.

"Everybody has a different version of why they come to SC. As the program, I mean we're kinda hot right now," Watkins said.

"The season that we had, looking at the trajectory of it, we're setting the standard now. We're building a new era of USC women's basketball. People will be crazy not to be a part of it."

Watkins led USC to the Pac-12 Tournament championship last season. They made the NCAA Tournament and aced their first three assignments to make the Elite Eight. However, Watkins' high-scoring efforts weren't enough as USC lost against UConn, 80-73.

Following the successful 2023-24 season, USC used the offseason to build their lineup around Watkins. They kept double-double machine Rayah Marshall and acquired prolific scorer Kiki Iriafen and effective playmaker Talia von Oelhoffen from the transfer portal.

The Trojans also recruited seven freshmen from the class of 2024, including three five-star guards, Kayleigh Heckel, Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell. The acquisitions helped the team rise to No. 3 in the AP Preseason rankings.

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JuJu Watkins set to lead the growth of women's college basketball in the new era

JuJu Watkins has come a long way from gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2020 and she is taking the growth of women's basketball at the college level from a bigger perspective — and more of a collective approach.

"Not even my career, but honestly just women's basketball in general. Just how far it's come and how far will it continue to go. I think that just amazes everybody in the sport," she said.

Watkins, who averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.6 blocks per game last season, will lead USC's campaign in the expanded Big Ten Conference.

The spitfire guard is tabbed as one of the favorites to win the Naismith Women's Player of the Year award this season, along with UConn's Paige Bueckers and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo.

The Trojans open their 2024-25 campaign against No. 20 Ole Miss in the Attack Oui Play Game at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France on Nov. 4.

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Will JuJu Watkins lead USC to the 2025 national title? Let us know your views in the comments section.