JuJu Watkins addresses star-studded crowd at UCLA game: 'You can't disappoint'

When you play basketball in LA, you never know who’s going to show up.

So when No. 1 UCLA took on No. 6 USC on Thursday night, it was the hottest ticket in town. Many celebrities made the trip to watch two of the top women’s basketball programs in the country battle in a bitter rivalry matchup.

The Trojans ultimately took the 71-60 victory after a fourth-quarter flurry, seeing USC star JuJu Watkins score 38 points, haul in 11 rebounds and record a career-high eight blocks. After the game, Watkins addressed some of the faces in the crowd that she couldn’t help but notice.

“It’s really a dream come true,” Watkins said. “I mean, not to shout out anybody, but tonight, Sanaa Lathan, Monica [Wright], OG Monica in the crowd. Issa Rae, Kevin Hart — it was just an amazing crowd and so grateful for all the fans. And then we have people like that show up, you can’t disappoint. So shoutout Monica for that.

“I’m really just like a kid out there and just living out my dreams.”

Aside from the stars from Hollywood, Trojans greats Cheryl Miller and Tina Thompson were in Galen for the massive mid-week matchup, as well as the newest member of the Los Angeles Sparks, Kelsey Plum. Even Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who’s from San Bernardino, made the trip out to watch UCLA vs. USC.

After the game, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb made note of the increased fanfare she’s experienced since taking over the Trojans’ program in 2021.

“Look around the room,” Gottlieb told reporters. “Just a few years ago, people said women’s basketball in LA can’t be big, can’t be covered, can’t be sold out. And I think we, you guys (her team), us together all keep proving that wrong. So we appreciate that.

“Magical night. Really, really, incredibly proud of our team.”

Thursday’s final score marked the first time the Trojans had defeated a No. 1 overall team since they defeated Louisiana Tech in the 1983 National Championship game.

As big of a game as Thursday’s matchup was — these two programs are still scheduled to meet one more time before the end of the regular season. They’ll make the trip to Pauley Pavilion on March 1 in the regular season finale, where more stars will likely make the trip.

For now, USC moves on to face unranked Washington on the road on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. PT and will air live on the Big Ten Network.