USC's JuJu Watkins wins major award for incredible basketball season

JuJu Watkins' victory in the 2024 ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete was a triumph over some of the most formidable competitors. The true freshman's exceptional performance led USC to their first Elite Eight appearance in the women's NCAA tournament since 1994. She was second only to Iowa's Caitlin Clark for the most regular season points-per-game with 27.1.

Watkins was also outstanding during the postseason, averaging 27.5 points in the Trojans' four tournament games. UConn eliminated USC in the Elite Eight, but the loss was not due to a lack of Watkins' effort. She was stellar against the Huskies, dropping 29 points, two assists, and ten rebounds. Watkins was also perfect from the free-throw line during the Trojans' final game.

"This is crazy," Watkins told the audience upon receiving her award. "I want to thank all the great, powerful women who came before me that made this possible."

LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama were also nominated for the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY.

Watkins joins a proud group of former USC athletes who own ESPY awards. Former quarterback Caleb Williams won the ESPY for "Best Male College Athlete" in 2023. Matt Leinart 2005 won the same ESPY in 2005, and Reggie Bush was Best Male Athlete in 2006. USC also shared "Game of the Year" honors with Texas in 2006.

A Los Angeles native who attended Sierra Canyon High School, the 6-2 guard will be a bigger story during the 2024-25 women's college basketball season. With Clark and Angel Reese now in the WNBA, we expect Watkins and UConn's Page Bueckers to dominate the sport's headlines. There is also much potential for a Trojans vs. Huskies rematch in the 2025 women's NCAA tournament.