USC’s JuJu Watkins Named Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year
Incoming USC women's basketball player JuJu Watkins has added another national award to her growing trophy case in being named Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Currently a senior at Sierra Canyon High School, Watkins is the second Trojan to win the award, following in the footsteps of 1990 honoree Lisa Leslie — another Los Angeles native. Watkins has been named the Gatorade California Player of the Year the past two years.
A 6-2 guard, Watkins also won the 2023 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Trophy earlier this month alongside USC men's basketball signee Isaiah Collier, marking the first time in history that the Naismith's top high school basketball awards have both gone to athletes signed on to attend to the same university. Lisa Leslie also was the last USC female to win that award.
In her senior season at Sierra Canyon High, the McDonald's All-American helped lead the Trailblazers to a 31-1 record and the CIF-Southern Section Open Division title while averaging 27.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.
Watkins has volunteered locally on behalf of Hands for Hope, Shoes for Souls and the Watts Labor Community Action Committee as well as toy donation drives, a food bank and youth basketball camps while holding a 3.72 GPA in the classroom.
Recently selected to the selected to the 2023 USA Women's Nike Hoop Summit Team, Watkins was named the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a junior. In addition to her numerous California state accolades, she also brings in significant international experience as a member of the United States U-17 and U-16 national teams. She was named the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in helping Team USA to a gold medal at that event. And in 2021, she was the MVP of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, where the U.S. squad also won gold. Watkins has played club ball for Sports Academy Swish GBL. In her junior season with Sierra Canyon, Watkins piled up state honors as the Gatorade California Girls Basketball Player of the Year, CIF Basketball State Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year in 2022.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.
Being a Gatorade Player of the Year means paying it forward for the next generation. Through Gatorade's Play it Forward initiative, every Player of the Year receives a grant to give to one of Gatorade's social impact partners, supporting Gatorade's ambition to fuel the future of sport. To date, Gatorade Player of the Year winners' grants have totaled more than $3.5 million across more than 1,300 organizations. For nearly 40 years, Gatorade has honored high school athletes at the top of their game as teammates, supporting their communities and achieving academic success. From CEOs and coaches to star athletes and community leaders, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student- athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.