JuJu Watkins reveals 1 pregame ritual that makes her USC teammates think she’s “crazy”

JuJu Watkins is one of the brightest young talents in women’s basketball. As a sophomore at the University of Southern California, Watkins is emerging as one of the sport’s next big names.

On Tuesday, the 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Los Angeles sat down for a conversation with Boardroom’s Vinciane Ngomsi. The interview happened at a space crafted by real estate developer Ramtin Ray Nosrati.

During the interview, Watkins offered a glimpse into her unique pregame rituals. She laughed when asked about her final routine before stepping onto the court, admitting:

“It’s kind of weird. I like, slap my face to, like, wake up.” (3:50-4:07)

She explained that this helps her sharpen her focus, especially when she’s feeling too relaxed.

“My teammates think I’m crazy sometimes,” she added, “but honestly, it just wakes me up.”

When asked if she had performed this ritual before her 51-point game against Stanford, JuJu Watkins smiled and said:

“I think I did. I think I did.”

JuJu Watkins expected to take USC deep into postseason in 2024-25

Clad in her signature bun, styled by her mother, Watkins shared her journey and goals in the Boardroom interview. At 19, she’s coming off an incredible debut season where she won the Freshman of the Year, earning first-team All-American honors and solidifying her place as a rising star.

Going into her sophomore year, Watkins is already being celebrated as one of the top players in college basketball. She is leading the list of preseason All-Americans in her class as the Trojans look to stay on top in a challenging Big Ten conference.

The roster is bolstered by the arrival of Stanford transfer Kiki Iriafen, who was a fellow preseason All-American. With Iriafen by her side, JuJu Watkins leads a young, talented squad that is poised to compete fiercely this season.

In the interview, she reflected on her journey and credited her parents for keeping her grounded.

“I don’t think any of us expected the trajectory of my journey, but we’ve all adjusted together,” she said. “My parents keep me sane in crazy moments, and I don’t know where I would be without them, really. But like I said, we’re all in this together.”

Last season, she led the Trojans to a historic Pac-12 Tournament title against the then-No. 2 Stanford. During the NCAA Women’s March Madness Tournament, she set a new standard by breaking Tina Hutchinson’s 40-year record, becoming the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in NCAA Division I. It was a milestone she reached against the University of Connecticut.

Despite USC’s impressive season, it failed in its pursuit of a Final Four berth. It was a goal not achieved since 1986 that was halted by UConn, who secured an 80-73 victory in the Elite Eight round.

This season, Watkins steps onto the court carrying both personal and team goals. With her unique approach, JuJu Watkins stands ready to leave her mark on the sport.

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