JuJu Watkins’ excellence as a basketball player requires no explanation. Her skill as a recruiter might be underappreciated. A recent CBS Sports story explored how she helped recruit star prospect Saniyah Hall to USC.
“Last summer, Watkins was one of the coaches at Overtime Takeover, a basketball showcase that features top high school prospects. One of the players on her roster was small forward Saniyah Hall, the No. 2 player in the class of 2026 according to 247Sports. Hall was still making her college decision, so Watkins didn’t waste the opportunity to bring up USC a time or two during their conversations.
“‘I was in her ear about committing a little bit, hoping that she would come to SC,’ Watkins told CBS Sports. ‘Now that she is committed, I’m super excited. I know she is a great player and she is going to add a lot to the team. It will be cool to share the floor with her for sure.’
“Hall announced her commitment to the Trojans last July and will officially share the court with Watkins this fall. Her resume includes helping Team USA win gold at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup while averaging 19.9 points (a USA U19 record), 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game and earning tournament MVP honors.
“‘I think she is so versatile and she is strong,’ Watkins said of Hall. ‘She can draw so much attention with the ball, whether it be in the post or on the perimeter. Just a very all-around player.'”
Seeing Hall and JuJu on the court together — alongside Jazzy Davidson, Kennedy Smith, and the other elite players Lindsay Gottlieb has brought into the program — makes USC women’s basketball a can’t-miss sports attraction this coming season.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: JuJu Watkins is an elite recruiter, not just a star basketball player
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
