"Shaq and Kobe": Fans make NBA comparisons for JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen after major feat in USC's blowout win vs Fresno State
The duo of JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen was in full display on Tuesday. In the USC Trojans' 89-40 demolition of the Fresno State Bulldogs, Watkins and Iriafen scored 21 and 24 points, respectively, to outscore the entire Bulldogs squad. Furthermore, they registered a combined 19 rebounds.
With their tandem play on both ends, Watkins and Iriafen have since earned both WNBA and NBA-type comparisons with fans all over social media; especially since the Trojans now have a 9-1 record due in large part to them.
"Shaq and Kobe," one fan commented.
"Best female backcourt in college," another fan claimed.
"PG [Paul George] and [Demar] DeRozan done made a killer," one fan said.
"She [Watkins] play like Melo," another fan compared.
"Wonder how much Bronny would score against women’s basketball. Am gonna say 4 points," a fan asked.
Along with NBA comparisons, fans have also compared WNBA standouts to the USC duo.
"I wonder why they don’t talk about her like they do Clark," one fan speculated.
"Kiki seems like a more polished version of Angel [Reese]," another fan wrote.
"Once Aja Wilson retires, Juju will be the best player in the WNBA," a fan claimed.
It goes without saying that with discussions like these, Watkins and Iriafen have made a lot of noise in the 2024-2025 season. After all, the pair has helped unleash a 9-1 record and USC will look to extend its winning momentum at home against the Elon Phoenix on Sunday.
JuJu Watkins named AP Women's Player of the Week
After averaging 30.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists and steals apiece in the Trojans' last two wins, Watkins was recently named the AP Women's Basketball Player of the Week. On the year, she is posting up 25.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.6 spg and 2.1 bpg.
Meanwhile, for the first-year stalwart, Iriafen is tallying 18.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.3 apg and 1.2 spg to supplement Watkins' production. With these two in the fray, USC could have a special kind of season ahead.
What do you think of the USC Trojan duo of JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.