“Proud of you”: LeBron James expresses admiration for JuJu Watkins after freshman breaks D1 scoring record

LeBron James has been closely following USC basketball this season, keeping a watchful eye on his son Bronny James’ experience as a player for the Trojans. Additionally, he has been paying attention to the success of the women’s team. One standout player for the men’s team is JuJu Watkins, a talented freshman.

On Monday evening, Watkins guided her team to a spot in the Final Eight where they will face UConn. The victorious team will then advance to the Final Four, where they will face the Iowa Hawkeyes led by Caitlin Clark. James, along with other prominent NBA players, eagerly watched the thrilling competition.

Despite facing tough competition from UConn, JuJu Watkins proved why she has been the recipient of numerous freshman awards by nearly carrying the Trojans to the finish line. With a 29-point and 10-rebound performance, Watkins showed determination and resilience against the Huskies’ tough defense. Even though she was constantly met with resistance every time she had the ball, she fearlessly rose to the challenge and came close to overcoming UConn’s obstacles.

Despite the defeat with a final score of 80-73, LeBron James had nothing but praise for Watkins. He took to Instagram to share a story containing the following words:

@jujubballin Congrats and proud of you!

The renowned player of the LA Lakers is likely to be well-acquainted with Juju Watkins, who joined Sierra Canyon for her final two years of high school. Under her leadership, the Trailblazers emerged victorious in the CIF Southern Section championship and advanced to the regional finals. Both Watkins and Bronny James were highly-scrutinized basketball recruits at USC.

Similar to LeBron James’ performance this season, JuJu Watkins is also making history with her impressive campaign. During the UConn game, she became the first freshman to reach the 900-point milestone in NCAA Division 1 scoring. In doing so, Watkins surpassed the previous record of 898 points set by former San Diego State standout Tina Hutchinson in 1984.

Klutch Sports Group Represents LeBron James and JuJu Watkins

LeBron James is managed by his close friend Rich Paul through the Klutch Sports Group. Paul is considered one of the most influential sports agents currently, representing numerous top athletes. In addition to “King James,”some of the NBA players under Paul’s representation include Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, and Trae Young.

Two years ago, the group also added JuJu Watkins, a highly touted high school athlete, to their roster. Paul made history by signing her as the first female athlete to be represented by his brand. Now, both Watkins and James were part of the same agency.