ESPN cameras spot JuJu Watkins in tears on court after USC fall to shock March Madness defeat and are eliminated
JuJu Watkins already has her focus set on next season
USC superstar JuJu Watkins has left it all on the court during her freshman season.
The 18-year-old led the Trojans with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists as they were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by UConn 80-73 on Sunday.
4
JuJu Watkins (R) saw her incredible freshman season come to an end on Sunday as USC was knocked out of the Elite Eight by UConnCredit: Getty
4
Watkins was spotted in tears following their lossCredit: ESPN/March Madness
Following their elimination, ESPN cameras spotted an emotional Watkins being consoled on the court as she wiped away tears.
Among those to speak to the USBWA National Freshman of the Year was former Player of the Year and Huskies star, Paige Bueckers.
The moment prompted huge praise for Watkins on X, formerly known as Twitter, where the clip quickly went viral.
“Superstar on the rise,” wrote one fan.
“Juju will dominate women’s college basketball for many years to come,” a second said.
“I love that she cares this much…she came there to win it all,” replied a third.
While another added, “The women’s game is at an all-time high. Love it.”
Speaking after the game, Watkins remained emotional as she looked ahead to her sophomore season.
“Just coming up short, that adds a lot of fuel to the fire for the next couple of years,” she said.
“I’m just excited to go back home and get in the gym now and I’m really focused on learning from this season as a whole and things I can improve on – definitely my efficiency and stuff like that.
Stephen A. Smith predicts top March Madness team will get ‘blown out of the building’ if they employ physical strategy
“But I’m just grateful for this year because I’ve learned a lot.”
Sunday marked the end of a remarkable season for Watkins, who established herself as a star to watch for years to come.
A First-Team All-American and All-Pac-12 Team member, her 920 points are a new record high for a freshman in women’s Division I basketball.
During the course of her season, Watkins has also benefitted off the court, signing Name, Image, and Likeness deals with brands such as Instagram, Estee Lauder, Spotify, AT&T, and more.
4
Watkins racked up 29 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists on SundayCredit: Getty
Her Instagram following has also grown to over 580,000 with another 11,700 on X.
As for March Madness, it’s now down to South Carolina, NC State, UConn, and Iowa in the Final Four.
The Gamecocks and Wolfpack will face off on Friday, April 5 at 7pm ET at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
Then at 9pm ET, the Huskies will take on the Hawkeyes.
The Final is scheduled for Sunday, also in Cleveland.
4
Led by Caitlin Clark, Iowa has reached the Final Four along with UConn, NC State, and South CarolinaCredit: Getty
“But I’m just grateful for this year because I’ve learned a lot.”
Sunday marked the end of a remarkable season for Watkins, who established herself as a star to watch for years to come.
A First-Team All-American and All-Pac-12 Team member, her 920 points are a new record high for a freshman in women’s Division I basketball.
During the course of her season, Watkins has also benefitted off the court, signing Name, Image, and Likeness deals with brands such as Instagram, Estee Lauder, Spotify, AT&T, and more.
4
Watkins racked up 29 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists on SundayCredit: Getty
Her Instagram following has also grown to over 580,000 with another 11,700 on X.
As for March Madness, it’s now down to South Carolina, NC State, UConn, and Iowa in the Final Four.
The Gamecocks and Wolfpack will face off on Friday, April 5 at 7pm ET at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
