LOS ANGELES - Juju Watkins had the Galen Center practice court buzzing on Sunday, but the moment that said the most about the day came when the USC star slipped through a pair of defenders, found 10-year-old Kennedy Beyen in space and set up a layup that had everyone laughing.
Watkins, an All-American and Naismith Trophy winner, chased the celebration by running circles around Beyen and finishing with a body check against the young camper, who was about half her height.
“This is what basketball should feel like,” Watkins told reporters.
That was the tone for a day-long camp hosted by Watkins that brought more than 150 girls basketball players in grades third through eighth to USC’s practice court. Volunteer coaches ran the campers through drills and scrimmages, but the real point was obvious from the start: keep it loose, keep it fun, and let the kids enjoy the chance to share a court with one of the sport’s biggest names.
The camp was free, though the experience of being around Watkins was the kind of thing that sticks.
“She woke up this morning excited,” Ben Beyen said of his daughter, Kennedy. “Usually, on a school day, she’s tired.
But this morning she got up bright and early, ate breakfast, and was ready to come. Once she figured out Juju was gonna be here, it was automatic.”
Beyen, who lives in Valley Village, said Watkins stands out as a model for his two daughters because of the way she handles school, basketball and community work.
Watkins’ presence has carried extra weight after she sat out last season because of an ACL injury. Instead of fading from view, she kept building her profile and her message.
Nike released the LeBron NXXT Gen By Juju “Silver Lining” basketball shoes in partnership with Watkins on May 27, and her motto, “don’t move…improve,” is sketched on the side. Coaches at the camp wore the shoe in the silver or red “With Love” colorway.
“I’m on the other end of my rehab journey, and I’m really grateful,” Watkins said. “At the time when I was creating the shoe, ‘silver lining’ stuck out to me because I just think it’s really important when going through something to know that the grass is greener on the other side. It definitely gave me a lot of perspective and hope.”
The campers gave plenty back in return. They crowded Watkins on defense, sometimes sending two or three players at her when she tried to shoot, and they were just as eager to fire back with playful energy when she teased them.
By the end, Watkins was signing everything in sight - shirts, headbands and basketballs - as the autograph line stretched across the court.
“The girls coming in, they’re super excited,” Watkins said. “They’re curious.
They’re asking questions. I know a lot of them are younger, but it’s really cool to be around such youthful and fun energy.
“Just knowing that they look up to me and they think I’m cool - it’s cool to know that they think I’m cool.”
Watkins is cleared to play and will return this season with plenty around her. Jazzy Davidson, the 6-foot-1 guard who was last season’s USBWA Freshman of the Year, is back after leading the Trojans in every statistical category with 17.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, two steals and two blocks per game.
Kennedy Smith, another 6-foot-1 guard, also returns after putting up 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game. USC also adds three freshmen - Sitaya Fagan, Saniyah Hall and Sara Okeke - as part of the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation.
The Trojans finished 31-4 last season and were knocked out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament by runner-up South Carolina.
For Watkins, the focus now is simple.
“Just discipline,” Watkins said of what the team needs this season. “Just attacking every day like there’s no tomorrow.
I think it’s really essential that we do that. It’s my senior year.
So super excited for that and not taking any moment for granted.”
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