PORTLAND, Ore. — Thirty minutes have passed since USC defeated Baylor 74-70 in a barnburner that featured 11 lead changes and a Trojans rally in the fourth quarter. JuJu Watkins just put up 30 points on national television, the latest in a series of exploits in an All-America season, leading her school to its first Elite Eight in 30 years.
And here is the freshman, sitting on her phone, watching TikToks.
No big celebrations, no scrolling through her messages, and no outward evidence that Watkins has just done something unheard of for most 18-year-olds. This isn’t indifference — Watkins is having a great time in the NCAA Tournament, thoroughly excited by the prospect of continuing to play with this USC team, but leading her team on both ends of the floor is her role. This is a normal day for Watkins, and that means TikToks.
“She’s used to this, she’s used to the moment,” graduate transfer Kayla Williams says. “This is nothing new. This doesn’t faze her.”
This is trailing in the fourth quarter and facing down the prospect of a magical season coming to an end. But for Watkins, all that means is takeover time.
JuJu Watkins stepback three’s are fun. pic.twitter.com/Apo4oIUjkX
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 30, 2024
The Trojans trailed entering the fourth…
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