For years, the NBA has allowed its best high school stars to jump directly from the amateur to the professional level. That has since morphed into the current world of “one-and-done” players who go on to college or overseas for a season before trying their hand at the top level. in WNBAIt takes four years to make that jump.
There are valid reasons to make players wait in a league with only 12 active teams and three more in preparation, but LeBron's generational talent doesn't have to wait to prove himself to the world. A situation like James's does not exist. That's a shame, since just down the road from the James and Staples Center is USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins, a star sophomore who is already playing at the pro level. is.
There are many ways Watkins established himself in one season. Scored 32 points in a ranked game in his rookie debut. ohio (played only 31 minutes due to foul trouble), scored 51 points against the Stanford Cardinal in conference play, and led the Trojans to an upset victory over Stanford in the Pac-12 Tournament Championship Game. All of the accomplishments earned him a spot on the AP All-American First Team, with only one of the five freshmen selected.
Scoring is important, and Watkins' 27.1 points per game as a freshman was second only to Iowa's Caitlin Clark. But what makes Watkins so dangerous is his poise and patience on the court.
Only Watkins knows what's going on inside her head, but from the outside looking in, the game seems to be in slow motion for the Los Angeles native.
Watkins moves USC's offense all over the court, and she takes her time and is always looking ahead. The Trojans read the defense, watch their teammates move into the next position, and decide what action is best.
Then Watkins attacked.
It's not like you're running at such high speed. notre dame cathedralMs. Hannah Hidalgo. Watkins moves methodically. His speed may seem slow, but the 6-foot-2 guard uses his size to create effective and dangerous strides.
If the defender is out of position or there is a hole in the zone, it will be a drive to the basket. Watkins, known for his left-to-right crossovers, has started adjusting and incorporating movement to the left. As the second defender closes in, Watkins stops and hits a smooth midrange jumper. If opponents think Watkins is developing a play and give her space from deep, the guard will make a 3-point shot.
It's unfair to use the position classification “guard” for Watkins. It's not a summary of everything Watkins does on the court.
Yes, there are guard elements like Watkins' passing. Part of that court vision is finding teammates. Last season, Watkins was second on the team with 112 assists, but only freshman Mackenzie Forbes had more assists with 115, and Watkins played in one fewer game.
Although the sample size is small this season, Watkins brings new weapons like freshman Kennedy Smith and All-Pac-12 first-team forward Kiki Iriafen, who was transferred from Stanford this offseason, and has averaged over three games. He has scored 4.7 points.
The WNBA is known for its defense and a level of toughness that surpasses NCAA basketball. Watkins isn't the kind of guard who mismatches against big switches on screens. The 6-foot-2 star can guard positions one through five.
That's evident so far in her sophomore season. Watkins' presence near the basket is on a new level. In three games, Watkins recorded 12 blocks. Currently, the non-conference schedule is a mismatch between Power Five schools and mid-major schools. However, Watkins' best Interior defensive performance came in Paris, France, against the number 20 player. Ole Miss Rebels.
Watkins made five of his 12 blocks on the season against SEC-ranked opponents, and the Trojans narrowly won the game, 68-66. Without Watkins, who also had a double-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, USC would have been at a disadvantage.
Changes to the WNBA's college admissions rules are unlikely, at least until after the next round of collective bargaining. But if the WNBA followed the NBA's example, the nation would no longer be talking about USC star JuJu Watkins. They'll be talking about WNBA star JuJu Watkins.
