Sierra Canyon has gained increased popularity over the past few years, with some of the nation’s top basketball prospects being produced from the California high school.
Celebrities from LeBron James to Kim Kardashian have attend Sierra Canyon games.
Former Trailblazers such as BJ Boston and Amari Bailey and now Bronny James have all catapulted the program to the top of the high school basketball rankings as one of the nation’s best programs. The star talent on the court brings others stars courtside to watch.
Who Is Juju Watkins?
Juju Watkins now joins that list and has attracted that same attention to the girls’ side being the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2023.
Celebrities in music and sports packed the Galen Center on the USC campus on Jan. 7 to watch Watkins and the undefeated Trailblazers pick up their 16th straight win of the season. Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, The Game, and Lebron were there to watch the high school star.
This is EXACTLY what should be happening for press. The rappers popped out to the high school basketball girlie Juju Watkins HS game. pic.twitter.com/Dx7AyUinN3
— Rain | Media | YourBDFavoritePublicist 🇱🇷 (@BloggedByRain) January 8, 2023
Afterward, they all gathered courtside to take pictures and show her some love. The pictures and videos taken were trending on social media. That reopened the conversation of how men and women can do their part to expand the growth of women’s sports.
Juju Watkins One Of First Female Athletes To Sign NIL Deal
Watkins has done that by being one of the first high school female athletes to sign NIL deals with Nike and Klutch Sports Agency. The 6-foot-2 senior guard and University of Southern California commit spent this past summer on Uninterrupted’s “More Than an Athlete Hotline” podcast hosted by Donald De La Haye.
“My great-grandfather started a foundation that has brought a lot of resources and attention to the community for those in need. I really look up to my great-grandfather and grandfather Ted Watkins. It provides people in need with jobs, housing, and things that they really need. When I am on the court, I always play for something bigger. I put on for my city,” said Watkins in her “Uninterrupted” interview.
“I’m always playing for something bigger.” ❤️ @JuJuBBallin discusses why her love for the community goes hand-in-hand with her love of the game on a new episode of the #MTAAHotline.@Uninterrupted x @champssports
📺: https://t.co/lEKSOwYBQl pic.twitter.com/ESc83796Tu
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) July 18, 2022
Watkins has also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, won a gold medal for Team USA U17 & U16, been named 2022 California Gatorade Player of the year, and is a two-time L.A. Times Player of the Year. In her short time in the spotlight, she has been a strong advocate for women’s basketball. Her personality has rallied celebrities in the music, fashion, and sports worlds behind her.
Juju Watkins Is A Trailblazer
Watkins is blazing her own trail like Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Maya Moore, A’ja Wilson, and many other former and current WNBA stars that are bringing attention to women’s sports.
