Judea Skies “JuJu” Watkins is an American college basketball player who plays for the USC Trojans in the Big Ten Conference. Born on July 15, 2005, in Los Angeles, California, Watkins has been recognized as one of the top young basketball prospects in the United States. She was the No. 1 ranked recruit in her class and has received multiple accolades, including Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, unanimous first-team All-American, and Ann Meyers Drysdale Award winner.
In this article, we will explore in-depth details about JuJu Watkins’ net worth, age, height, weight, career, early life, family, relationships, physical appearance, lesser-known facts, FAQs, and much more.

JuJu Watkins Short Details
Full Name | Judea Skies “JuJu” Watkins |
---|---|
Stage Name | JuJu Watkins |
Profession | College Basketball Player |
Hometown | Los Angeles, California |
Nationality | American |
Date of Birth | July 15, 2005 |
Age (2025) | 19 years old |
Height | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) |
Weight | 165 lbs (75 kg) |
Eye Color | Brown |
Hair Color | Black |
Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
College Team | USC Trojans |
Early Life and High School Career
JuJu Watkins was born in Los Angeles, California, to Robert Neal-Watkins and Sari Watkins. She began playing basketball at the age of seven in a local park league and trained under Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy. She modeled her game after WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale.
High School Achievements
Watkins played her first two high school years at Windward School, where she quickly became a standout player:
- Freshman Year: Averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds per game, leading her team to the CIF Southern Section Open Division title game.
- Sophomore Year: Improved to 27 points and 12 rebounds per game.
She later transferred to Sierra Canyon School, a basketball powerhouse in Los Angeles:
- Junior Year: Averaged 25 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, leading the team to the state championship. Won California Gatorade Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball.
- Senior Year: Averaged 27.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, leading her team to a 31-1 record. She scored 60 points in a single game, the second-most in area history.
- Won the Gatorade National Player of the Year and Naismith Prep Player of the Year.
- Played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and won MVP honors.
College Career
Freshman Season (2023-24)
JuJu Watkins immediately made history in her college debut for USC:
- Scored 32 points in her first game, breaking Lisa Leslie’s freshman debut record.
- Had three consecutive 30-point games, tying a record set by Cheryl Miller.
- Scored 51 points against Stanford, breaking the USC single-game scoring record.
- Finished the season averaging 27.1 points per game, the highest by any Division I freshman since 1984.
- Led USC to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
- Won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors, and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.
- Named a unanimous first-team All-American.
Sophomore Season (2024-25)
- Entered her sophomore season as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year.
- Expected to be one of the biggest names in women’s college basketball.
National Team Career
JuJu Watkins has represented Team USA in international competitions:
- 2021 FIBA U16 Americas Championship – Won gold medal and named MVP.
- 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup – Led Team USA to another gold medal, winning MVP honors again.
Family and Relationships
JuJu Watkins comes from a basketball-loving family. She is the great-granddaughter of Ted Watkins, the founder of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee.
Family Member | Role |
---|---|
Father | Robert Neal-Watkins |
Mother | Sari Watkins |
Great-Grandfather | Ted Watkins (Community Leader) |
There is no known relationship or dating history for Watkins as of 2025.
Physical Appearance
JuJu Watkins is known for her athletic build and tall frame, which makes her a dominant force on the basketball court.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Height | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) |
Weight | 165 lbs (75 kg) |
Eye Color | Brown |
Hair Color | Black |
Tattoos | No publicly known tattoos |
Piercings | Ears |
JuJu Watkins Net Worth and Income Sources
JuJu Watkins has leveraged her basketball stardom into significant financial opportunities. As of 2025, her estimated net worth is $3 million, primarily from NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals.
Source of Income | Estimated Earnings |
---|---|
College Basketball Scholarship | Full USC Scholarship |
Nike Endorsement Deal | Multi-million-dollar contract |
Gatorade Endorsement Deal | Multi-year contract |
Other NIL Deals | AT&T, Celsius, Dove, NerdWallet, Ritz, Wells Fargo |
Watkins signed one of the largest shoe deals in women’s basketball history with Nike and has major sponsorships with Gatorade, AT&T, and Celsius.
Lesser-Known Facts About JuJu Watkins
- She was named SportsKid of the Year by Sports Illustrated Kids in 2020.
- She trained with NBA assistant coach Phil Handy from a young age.
- She modeled her game after Arike Ogunbowale.
- Watkins was the first female athlete to sign with Klutch Sports Group.
- She is expected to be a top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
- Her great-grandfather was a well-known civil rights leader.
- She holds the USC single-game scoring record (51 points).
- Watkins is one of the highest-paid college athletes through NIL deals.
- She led her high school team to back-to-back California state championships.
- She became Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in her first season at USC.
FAQs About JuJu Watkins
Q: What is JuJu Watkins’ net worth in 2025?
A: Her estimated net worth is $3 million.
Q: How tall is JuJu Watkins?
A: She is 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall.
Q: What college does JuJu Watkins play for?
A: She plays for USC Trojans.
Q: Does JuJu Watkins have any endorsements?
A: Yes, she has multi-million-dollar NIL deals with Nike, Gatorade, AT&T, and more.
Q: What awards has JuJu Watkins won?
A: She has won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, unanimous first-team All-American, and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.
Q: Will JuJu Watkins go to the WNBA?
A: Yes, she is expected to be a top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Conclusion
JuJu Watkins is a basketball phenom with a bright future ahead. She has already made history in college basketball and has established herself as a rising star in the sport. With multi-million-dollar NIL deals, she is one of the highest-earning female college athletes in the U.S.
Disclaimer
“NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify the details independently from reliable sources.”