USC’s JuJu Watkins discusses how she models her game after Candace Parker: “Grew up always going to the Sparks games”
USC star guard JuJu Watkins says she patterns her game after former Tennessee star Candace Parker, and admires the WNBA player's versatility and ability to score from anywhere.
Watkins made the revelation during her interview with Boardroom TV's Vinciane Ngomsi. The USC star was a Los Angeles Sparks fan and she grew up watching the 6-foot-4 power forward score at will and defend the frontcourt brilliantly.
"I grew up always going to the Sparks games. I've always been a big Candace fan and admired her versatility and the way she's able to score from all parts of the floor," Watkins said. "I try to model that as much as I can."
(5:09-onwards)
Candace Parker, who led the Volunteers to two national championships in 2007 and 2008, was picked No. 1 overall by the L.A. Sparks in the 2008 WNBA draft and played for 13 seasons there. She also played for the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces over the last three seasons before retiring in April 2024.
After retirement, Parker became Adidas' president of women's basketball due to her long-running partnership with the sports shoe giant.
Watkins, who received many awards after her excellent freshman season, including a first-team All-American and Freshman of the Year awards, hopes that her basketball career will help her be a successful person off the court.
"I don't really know what that future holds but I mean I would love to diversify myself like she has done," the incoming sophomore guard said.
(5:40-onwards)
JuJu Watkins hopes to continue Cheryl Miller's legacy at USC
USC guard JuJu Watkins also talked about the legacy women's basketball great Cheryl Miller left in the school. Watkins pointed out that Miller set the standard for USC women's basketball, and seeing her banners hanging in the team's practice facility motivates her to perform better in the 2024-25 college basketball season.
"Seeing their banners in the gym that's just so much motivation in itself to realize that's the standard and I hope that the team is just able to continue that legacy and bring some more banners," she said.
(6:12-onwards)
Cheryl Miller was a two-time national champion with USC in 1983 and 1984 and a three-time Naismith Player of the Year. Miller averaged 23.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.6 steals and 2.5 blocks per game in four seasons with the Women of Troy.
JuJu Watkins will team up with returning forward Rayah Marshall and transfer players Kiki Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen in USC to rank No. 3 in the AP women's basketball preseason poll.
USC opens its 2024-25 women's basketball campaign against No. 20 seed Ole Miss at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France.