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Lindsay Gottlieb praises JuJu Watkins' impact at USC, how she handles spotlight

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•02/21/25•

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USC guard JuJu Watkins and HC Lindsay Gottlieb
© Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

After a monster freshman season at USC, JuJu Watkins is putting together an impressive follow-up. All the while, she’s also one of the faces of college women’s basketball – and head coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised how Watkins is navigating it all.

On the court, Watkins leads USC with 24.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game this season. That includes a monster showing against No. 1 UCLA when she had 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks and five assists to propel the Trojans to the huge rivalry victory.

But off the court, she’s one of the most visible names in the sport, securing NIL deals with State Farm and Nike as part of her growing portfolio. Life in the spotlight can be tough to handle, and Gottlieb said Watkins is taking it all in stride.

“It’s unbelievable,” Gottlieb said on SiriusXM College Sports Radio. “I see it every day, the grace with which she handles really positive attention and the way she galvanized the community. When I got the job here, there were 700 people in the stands. Now, there’s thousands. That’s, I think, because of her gravity and she understands that. And then, also, just the scrutiny that she takes. She’s probably the most game-planned-for college athlete in our sport ever. She sees doubles and triples. People want to ask about this shot or that shot or this decision. She literally just continues to grow before our eyes.

“Her talent is abundant and she keeps getting better, but more so just the way she handles what’s coming at her and continues to raise her own level is really something that I feel very fortunate to have a front-row seat and try and help her navigate through that.”

The stars were out in full force for USC vs. UCLA, which was one of the biggest games of the season. JuJu Watkins and the Trojans put on a show, and she reflected on that performance afterward with so many big names in attendance.

“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.”

USC then rattled off wins over Washington and Michigan State to continue its winning streak. The Trojans will take on Illinois in the penultimate game of the season Sunday at 1 p.m. PT on FS1.