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Home News JuJu Watkins No. 4 USC Bring Fun to LA

JuJu Watkins No. 4 USC Bring Fun to LA

On Sunday night, the Southern California women’s basketball team welcomed some special guests to their locker room at the Galen Center, including Cherie Nelson, a former Trojan who once set a program scoring record with a remarkable 50-point game. Nelson, accompanied by her 98-year-old mother, attended the game despite the devastation caused by recent wildfires that destroyed their home in Altadena. “She wanted to come and meet JuJu and the team, even after losing her home,” said Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb. “Her mother insisted on seeing the USC women’s team play, highlighting the resilience of our community.”

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The game drew an enthusiastic crowd of 5,881, including notable attendees like actor Vivica A. Fox and several children. This event marked one of the first sporting activities in Los Angeles since the wildfires began earlier in the week. “I took it as a good opportunity to have some fun,” said star player JuJu Watkins, who scored 35 points in USC’s 95-73 victory over Penn State. “Vibes are kind of down here in LA, so our goal was to put on a show and entertain people.” Watkins, along with teammates Kiki Iriafen and Rayah Marshall, hails from the Los Angeles area, and they expressed a shared commitment to uplifting their community during these challenging times.

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Amid the backdrop of destruction, the players emphasized their desire to spread positivity. Watkins noted the emotional toll the wildfires have taken on the community, stating, “This week has been hard for LA and for me too, just hearing about the stories.” Iriafen, whose family lives in the San Fernando Valley, mentioned that while her family was not directly affected, many close to her had to evacuate or lost their homes. “We’re very blessed to come here today and play basketball,” she said. “If we can put a smile on people’s faces for two hours or give them an escape from everything that’s going on right now, we’re super grateful to do that.”

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The Nittany Lions of Penn State traveled to Los Angeles after consulting with the Big Ten and health officials, who deemed it safe to play. “We appreciate that they believed enough in the systems to come,” Gottlieb remarked. Following the game, Penn State was set to travel to Long Beach to prepare for their matchup against top-ranked UCLA. Coach Carolyn Kieger acknowledged the challenges posed by the wildfires but emphasized the importance of adapting to the situation. “For us, we just turn the page and make a new game plan. We’ll be ready to compete,” she stated. As the Trojans continue to navigate the intersection of sports and community resilience, Watkins offered a hopeful perspective: “The biggest thing for us and for the community is just to have faith and hope that things will get better.”

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