'A Generational Talent': Chatsworth Athlete Wins Major CA Recognition

CHATSWORTH, CA — Rising senior guard Juju Watkins was the first Sierra Canyon student to be named Gatorade's California Girls Basketball Player of the Year for her success on and off the court.

Watkins was one of 608 winners representing 12 sports in 50 states and the District of Columbia. She was California's statewide winner in the girls basketball category.

The 16-year-old is no stranger to high-profile recognition. During her freshman year at Winward School, Watkins was named Sports Illustrated's SportsKid of the year. She is a two-time Los Angeles Times Player of the Year, the 2022 Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year and the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year. She just finished up a run on the USA Basketball Women's U16 team and will play on the U17 team in 2022.

For Watkins, the recognition is humbling and energizing. The attention offers her a moment to feel proud of what she has done and find motivation to keep pushing.

"All that work in the gym, especially if you don't get a ring or something to remember the year by, remember those moments in the gym and all that hard work all those games," she said. "It was really satisfying to see that for me because it was something tangible that helps you remember. It humbles me. It fuels me, but at the same time I’m just proud of myself after stuff like that."

The Trailblazers finished their last season 27-2 and won the California Interscholastic Federation's state-wide open division tournament. Watkins averaged 24.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.8 steals and two blocks in the squad's 29-game season, according to Gatorade.

The Gatorade award not only recognizes her talent on the court it also reflects her academic success and volunteer efforts. Watkins had a 3.67 GPA in her junior year and volunteered with the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, food banks and children's basketball camps in Watts. Watkins grew up in Watts.

"That’s not really a duty for me," she said. "It’s more something that I’m honored to do and humbled — volunteering when I can. Visiting where I’m from, which is Watts, and seeing all my family and the people I grew up with — that’s more a payoff for me, not a job."

Basketball, volunteering and academics are a lot to balance, but Watkins finds a way to power through.

"Academics, it’s tough, but at the end of the day, it’s just life," she said. "Always got to balance school and other things. My teachers are understanding, too. … That helps a lot. I don’t really look at it as so much, I try to psych myself out and try to think that it’s not a lot when in reality it kind of is."

Alicia Komaki, Watkins' coach, said her dedication and discipline are unparalleled.

"She seeks excellence every day. In our time together, she never took a day off mentally. She never had a bad practice. That is unbelievable if you really think about it," Komaki said.

Komaki said Watkins is a "generational talent."

"I believe Juju has the perfect blend of confidence, arrogance, pride and humility. She doesn’t doubt; she’s reliant. She doesn’t boast; she swaggers. She isn’t driven by accomplishment or former glory but stays present. She is full of self-confidence without going on an ego trip," Komaki said.

Watkins was introduced to basketball at a young age. She was six or seven the first time she played, at which point she was already taller than all her peers. Her parents, Sari and Robert Neal-Watkins, both played basketball, but they initially wanted Watkins to model instead, Juju Watkins said.

Watkins became more serious about basketball when she was 12 and started working out more. She transferred to Sierra Canyon just this year after playing at Winward. Even so, she feels close to her teammates.

"The environment this year is so supportive...We've been through a lot together," Watkins said. "We start in August, and we end [around] March, so it's a long, long season. But doing it with them and coach Kumaki makes it feel so short."

Being California's only girls basketball winner, Watkins was considered for the national title but came up short to Washington guard Kiki Rice.

Watkins is heading into her senior year unsure of what she wants to do in college but excited to pursue some of her other passions, such as fashion. She started a clothing brand with her cousin, fashion designer Tracey Mills, focused on inspiring others to be creative and capitalize on their talents.

"This is kind of new for me, so I’m just letting go of all limitations and getting more into my creative side," Watkins said.

One thing she is sure about is wanting to pursue basketball as far as she can take it.

"Basketball is a passion of mine, so however far I can take it and however far I’ve got left in me, that’s the plan," Watkins said.

Watkins has already left her mark on the Chatsworth community, Komaki said.

"Our youth idolize her. Peers wish they could play with her. Adults are eager to watch her, and basketball lovers appreciate her. The hype is real," Komaki said.