Sierra Canyon Retires Jersey of USC Basketball Star Juju Watkins

Juju Watkins, the remarkable USC basketball star, had her jersey retired by Sierra Canyon in a memorable ceremony broadcast live on ESPN2. This significant event took place at halftime of a boys basketball game featuring Sierra Canyon and Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks. Watkins became the first athlete in Sierra Canyon history to have her jersey retired, a testament to her extraordinary career.

Sierra Canyon Jersey Retirement Ceremony for Juju Watkins

On a night dedicated to celebrating her achievements, Watkins received honors for her impressive tenure as a Trailblazer. She gained national recognition during her high school career, becoming the Gatorade National Player of the Year and the Naismith National Player of the Year. Her list of accolades also includes multiple CIF Player of the Year titles.

Record-Breaking High School Career

• Freshman Year: Led Windward to the CIF Southern Section Open Division final, averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds.
• Sophomore Year: Scored 27 points per game at Windward before transferring to Sierra Canyon.
• Junior Year: Averaged 25 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, culminating in a CIF State Open Division title.
• Senior Year: Achieved a remarkable 31-1 record, averaging 27.5 points and setting a career-high of 60 points against Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks.

In 2023, Sierra Canyon was recognized as the girls basketball national champions by ESPN, further highlighting Watkins’ impact on the game. This outstanding performance solidified her legacy as a vital influence in girls’ basketball.

Transition to College Basketball

Watkins continued her outstanding performance at the University of Southern California, quickly becoming one of the program’s most celebrated players. In her freshman year, she set numerous records, including the highest points scored by a freshman in NCAA history. Her total of 920 points included 14 games where she scored over 30 points and a stunning 51-point game.

Accolades and Achievements

• Freshman Statistics: Averaged 23.9 points per game, becoming USC’s fastest player to reach 1,000 career points.
• Awards: Honored with the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award, and AP National Player of the Year.
• Team Success: Helped lead USC to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite suffering a torn ACL during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Watkins chose to redshirt the following season, focusing on her recovery. Her significant achievements have already placed her among the elite players in college basketball history.