JuJu Watkins, the sixth-ranked standout on the USC women's basketball team, put on a show for a special audience on Sunday. With Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James and his daughter, Zhuri, watching from the stands, Watkins poured in 27 points to lead the Trojans to a dominant 85-53 victory over UC Riverside.

The win marked USC's 11th consecutive victory at Galen Center, extending their undefeated streak on home court. The large crowd, which included many staying after the USC men's loss to Long Beach State to support Coach Andy Enfield following his cardiac arrest, witnessed Watkins' brilliance firsthand.

Aware of her idol's presence, Watkins put on a dazzling display, scoring an impressive 20 points by the end of the third quarter. Her performance was praised by Associated Press reporter Beth Harris, who commented, "For LeBron James to come away from the dub game in Las Vegas and stay and watch us play, that's love. I want to see him continue to be a great player and fight for greatness."

While not reaching her recent streak of 30-point games, Watkins' impact on the game went beyond scoring. She finished with a well-rounded stat sheet, including four three-pointers, five assists, five steals, three rebounds, and two blocks. This efficient and impactful performance was crucial to USC's victory.

Coach Gottlieb emphasized the team's energy and the importance of connecting with the crowd, many of whom were seeing the team play for the first time. Watkins' performance, along with the team's overall effort, ensured a memorable experience for both the fans and the special guests.