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USC Trojans' JuJu Watkins Becomes Fastest To Reach 1,000 Points in Program History

JuJu Watkins has become the fastest player in USC women’s basketball history to reach 1,000 career points. She is also tied for fourth fastest to reach 1,000 points in NCAA Division I women's basketball history.
Kyron Samuels|
USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) celebrates during a NCAA Women’s Tournament 2nd round game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Galen Center.
USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) celebrates during a NCAA Women’s Tournament 2nd round game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Galen Center. | Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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As she seems to do so often, USC Trojans true sophomore Juju Watkins has broken another record. Only 38 games into her collegiate basketball career, Watkins has become the fastest player in USC women’s basketball history to reach 1,000 career points. In a matchup against an undefeated Santa Clara University team, Watkins' third-quarter basketball gave her the Trojan record.

The No.3 ranked Lady Trojans improved to 4-0 on the season with an 81-50 home victory over Santa Clara. Juju Watkins finished the game with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. The USC star only committed two turnovers in the win.

After the game, Watkins spoke about adjusting back into the season as it begins.

"It took me a minute to adjust in that [Ole Miss] game, and I think you saw that with the turnovers. I would say this past summer, it’s been working on all aspects of my game. Reading the floor better, I think that’s really helped me limit that," said Watkins.

USC history is nothing to scoff at, but Watkins also made national history, tying for the fourth-fastest woman to reach the 1,000-point mark in NCAA history. She shares that 38-game achievement with the likes of women’s basketball legend Elena Delle Donne. The record is 37 games, held by LSU's Maree Jackson, Oregon State's Carol Menken and New Orleans' Sandra Hodge.

USC's career leader in points Cheryl Miller scored her first 1,000 points in 48 games.

After an illustrious true freshman season, Watkins is averaging 21.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 4.0 blocks, and 3.7 steals per game. Watkins’ raw scoring numbers are down, but her efficiency is up on six fewer shots per game. Watkins' increasing per-game steals and blocks have also displayed her defensive prowess. Although it’s been a small sample size, there have been plenty of encouraging signs that Watkins has improved as a player.

Watkins has lived up to the hype and pressure of being considered the next women’s basketball great and remains so early in her caree. As the Women of Troy continue to gel with the addition of three new starters, including standout transfers Kiki Iriafen and Talia Van Oelhoffen, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

Up next for Watkins and the Women of Troy is a home game against Notre Dame on Nov. 23.

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Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

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