TRAGIC NEWS!!! “I’m Leaving Soon” – USC Trojans Women’s Basketball Sophomore Guard JuJu Watkins Set to Make Move as $21 Million Deal Closes
LOS ANGELES – The atmosphere inside Galen Center was heavy as JuJu Watkins stepped up to the microphone, her eyes scanning the crowd of reporters, fans, and her tearful teammates
. The words she was about to say had been weighing on her for weeks. Behind her, the USC Trojans logo shined bright, a symbol of everything she had helped build. But today, something was ending.
“I’m leaving soon,” JuJu said quietly, her voice cracking. “This wasn’t easy.”
Just 19 years old, JuJu Watkins had already become a basketball icon. In two seasons, she led USC to a Pac-12 title, then a Big Ten championship in their debut season, and brought a swagger back to Trojans basketball that hadn’t been seen since the Cheryl Miller era. Her averages were video-game numbers: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and a defensive presence that turned games into highlight reels. She was the face of college women’s basketball—until today.
Rumors had swirled for weeks: endorsements, WNBA talks, even international offers. But when a leaked report broke the news of a $21 million multi-year deal being closed with a global athletic brand—combined with the possibility of her joining a professional team overseas—the sports world erupted.
The deal was unprecedented. Not just for the money, but for what it represented. JuJu wasn’t just going pro; she was stepping into an entirely new arena of influence. The contract included her own signature shoe line, a docuseries, equity in a media company, and global ambassador responsibilities. It was the kind of offer no college athlete had ever seen.
Behind the scenes, those close to her said she struggled with the decision. “She loves USC. That campus is like her second home,” said Coach Lindsay Gottlieb. “But I also knew this day would come. You don’t hold back a meteor.”
JuJu’s departure came just weeks after she tore her ACL during the NCAA Tournament—an injury that shocked the nation. Some thought the setback might delay her professional plans. But instead, it seemed to crystallize her resolve.
“I realized something lying in that hospital bed,” she said, pausing during her press conference. “Basketball can be taken from you in a second. I owe it to myself, my family, and the little girls watching me to bet on my dream while I still can.”
For the Trojans, it’s a monumental loss. JuJu was more than a player; she was a movement. Ticket sales had skyrocketed, national TV slots became regular, and USC games were packed with celebrities and kids wearing her jersey. Her impact had transformed the program into a powerhouse.
“She turned us into believers,” said teammate Malia Samuels. “She made us fearless.”
Fans flooded social media with messages of heartbreak and pride. #ThankYouJuJu trended within hours. One tweet read: “She gave us everything. Let her take the world now.”
JuJu ended her statement by walking across the stage, hugging each teammate one by one. Cameras captured the moment she handed her jersey to freshman Vivian Iwuchukwu, whispering something in her ear. Vivian would later say JuJu told her, “It’s yours now. Make it bigger than me.”
As she walked out of the press room, escorted by agents and family, the world outside seemed to pause. Reporters yelled questions—“Where are you going?” “Is it New York? Paris?” “Will you return?”
She turned once more, gave a faint smile, and said, “I’m just getting started.”
Whether it’s the WNBA, Europe, or something entirely different, one thing is certain: JuJu Watkins is no longer just a college athlete. She’s a brand, a symbol, and a pioneer. Her departure might feel like a tragedy to Trojans fans now, but for JuJu, it’s the prologue to a much bigger legacy.
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