JuJu Watkins has made headlines again with her stunning performance on the basketball court, this time reaching the impressive milestone of 1,000 career points. This feat came during the USC Trojans’ game against Santa Clara, where they triumphed with an emphatic score of 81-50, marking the team’s flawless record of 4-0 early in the season.
Watkins, now just four games deep in her sophomore season, achieved this milestone impressively fast, needing only 38 games to do so. This timing places her joint fourth among NCAA Division I players for the fewest games taken to reach 1,000 points, tying her with basketball greats like Elena Delle Donne and Kathy Miller.
To put this achievement in perspective, it’s noteworthy to mention USC’s very own Cheryl Miller, the school’s all-time leading scorer with 3,018 points, who reached the 1,000-point milestone after 58 games. JuJu’s accomplishment is significant not only because of the numbers but because of the legacy she is stepping onto—an arena filled with extraordinary talent.
During the Santa Clara game, Watkins hit the precise jumper required to break the 1,000-point barrier with 6:47 left on the clock during the third quarter. After the game, she spoke to the media, expressing her gratitude for the position she is in and the work still left to be done. "I'm not taking anything for granted. Very blessed to be in this position. This is great, something to build off and continue to work on," she said, underscoring her commitment to continual improvement.
On average, Watkins has been putting up 26.5 points per game over her career, and she's currently scoring at remarkable efficiency. If breaking 1,000 points already has fans squinting at potential NBA scouting reports, they may also be intrigued by numbers crunched from her previous performance run. For example, her average astutely outpaces the initial 20-game average of current NCAA scoring chair third overall, Caitlin Clark, who hit her milestone after 40 games.
Watkins doesn’t stop there—she punctuates her game with skill and flair, reflecting the dynamism she exhibited as she set the national record for scoring by a freshman last year with 920 points. Beyond her individual records, the Trojans’ defensive system has been solid, allowing fewer than 48 points per game this season, highlighting the team's well-rounded capabilities.
While the Trojan defense has been commendable, there are certainly areas where the team is hoping to improve, particularly their long-range shooting. They've struggled with their three-pointers, hitting only 21.4% of their attempts, having previously recorded under 22% shooting from beyond the arc multiple times already this season.
Looking at her performance within the scope of NCAA Division I history, Watkins has demonstrated the potential to be not just a scoring leader but also a transformative influence on the game. After all, she’s already broken individual records but now aims for collective success. Her remarks reflect maturity as she navigates the weight of expectations—"When you break a record at USC, it hits a little different because the people you break the record from are so great. JuJu belongs in conversation, and we’re all comfortable saying it,” praised USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb, adding depth to Watson's accomplishments.
Despite the excitement surrounding her performance, Watkins discreetly sidesteps the vast comparisons drawn between her and Caitlin Clark. "She's a great player, but I don't really monitor all of it," she noted, showing there’s still room for personal growth within her blossoming career.
Only four games deep and facing high expectations, Watkins is not just close to historic company; she now embodies it as one of the most promising players to watch for the future of women’s basketball. Her success will be closely monitored beyond the collegiate level, especially as scouts from the WNBA begin to look toward the next up-and-coming talent.
It’s clear Watkins is on track to solidify her name among the legends of the game. Following her recent milestone achievement, the basketball world is buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what’s yet to come from this rising star.
