USC’s JuJu Watkins reacts to Jasmine Jones’ Olympic feat (Image credits: @jujubballin and @jasminemjones1/Instagram)

JuJu Watkins has emerged as one of the USC Trojans’ most promising athletes and is spreading the love throughout the school. The women’s hoops star praised Trojans track athlete Jasmine Jones, who is slated to compete for the top spot on the podium in the 400m hurdles in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As CITIUS Mag highlighted Jasmine Jones’ journey to her first-ever Olympics final, JuJu Watkins reshared the post on her Instagram story to celebrate her success.

“Yessss,” Watkins wrote with victory emojis.

JuJu Watkins’ Instagram story on August 7, 2024

Jasmine Jones qualified for the women’s 400m hurdle final with one of the fastest qualifying times.

Participating in the first semifinal race, she was the second athlete to cross the finish line with 53.83 seconds. Moreover, as other strands of the event took place, she ended up with the seventh-best time of all the athletes, booking a spot for the finals.

Like Watkins, there are plenty of celebrations back home in light of Jones’ success. She garnered 12 individual state championships during her time at Greater Atlanta Christian, creating an early impact in the sport.

Moreover, she shared with Cheryl Preheim of the 11Alive that she wants to thank everyone for their “support and love.”

JuJu Watkins aims at participating in the 2028 Olympics

By the time the next Olympics come around, JuJu Watkins is expected to be past her rookie season in the WNBA. Watkins gripped women’s basketball during her freshman year at USC Trojans by averaging 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 40.1% shooting.

With the idea of creating a similar impact, Watkins yearns to participate in the 2028 Olympics, which is slated to be organized in her hometown of Los Angeles.

“That’s definitely a long-term goal of mine when I get done with my college career,” she reflected on her aspirations with the Associated Press in June. “Definitely something I’m looking forward to and having the chance to do that in my city would definitely be a dream come true.”

For now, Watkins will focus on topping her last season with USC. She will also have the responsibility of bolstering the program to a deeper March Madness run than the previous year’s Elite Eight loss, which they will have a chance to redeem this year.

The UConn Huskies and USC Trojans have agreed on a two-year home-and-home series. The matchup offers a thrilling showdown and also pits two of the best women’s basketball faces, Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins against each other. The 2024 rendition will occur on December 21 at UConn’s home arena in Storrs while the 2025 edition will take place in LA.