JuJu Watkins gives a shout-out to DeMar DeRozan for 1 vital part of USC basketball facility
JuJu Watkins, with KiKi Iriafen and Rayah Marshall, gave a special tour of the USC Trojans' basketball facility at Galen Center for Bleacher Report. The facilities are shared between the USC men's and women's basketball teams, along with the volleyball team.
At the start of the video, Watkins, Iriafen and Marshall introduced themselves, and their first stop was the DeRozan Family Weight Room. Before entering, they gave a shout-out to the former USC star who played just one season at the Galen Center.
"Welcome to Galen, let's go. Shout out to DeMar for the weight room, the secret to Kiki's body being key," she said.
In 2020, the upgraded weight room was unveiled, thanks to DeMar DeRozan, who donated the largest ever amount by an alum. Josh Heiddegger, USC strength and conditioning director for Olympic Sports, said at the time:
"We feel like this new weight room, the equipment we were able to purchase and the layout, the flooring ... even down to the new lights, new sound system, everything is at the highest level."
During his lone season with the Trojans, DeRozan averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He was named to the First Team Pac-10 All-Freshman and was also the Pac-10 Tournament MVP.
In February 2024, Demar DeRozan's No. 10 jersey was retired, the seventh USC men's basketball player.
DeMar DeRozan praises JuJu Watkins and gives her advice
During the offseason, JuJu Watkins was seen practicing with DeMar DeRozan. The Sacramento Kings forward gave her advice on making certain moves, which he spoke about at Paul George's Podcast with P.
"Me just giving her different looks of knowing how she goin' be played this upcoming year," DeRozan said. "Because she killed everybody last year. So, now everybody goin' be prepared on how to guard her. So, all the cool s**t wasn't seen.
"She gotta shared that. I can't share ... She's special, I can't wait what she do in college and I can't wait to see how she change women's basketball."
JuJu Watkins led the Trojans on a historic run last season with a first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years. This season, the sophomore guard is expected to push further for a shot at the championship, as she's assisted by the likes of KiKi Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen.
The Trojans are 7-1, and Watkins is averaging 23.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists.