IN PHOTOS: USC star JuJu Watkins poses with Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts after throwing the ceremonial first pitch

JuJu Watkins poses with Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani
JuJu Watkins poses with Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani (Image: IMAGN)

JuJu Watkins is making the most of her offseason as she threw the first pitch during the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels game in the Freeway Series finale on Saturday. Watkins was seen wearing a personalized version of the new Los Angeles Dodgers City Connect uniform. It was custom-made with No. 12, her jersey number with USC Trojans, and her name on the back.

The official Trojans WBB Instagram handle shared the Los Angeles native's pictures from the day, including Dodgers' pitcher Shohei Ohtani and outfielder Mookie Betts. The caption read:

"JuJu & The Boys in Blue. Appreciate all the hospitality from the @dodgers yesterday! ✌️."

After throwing her ceremonial first pitch to pitcher Gavin Stone, JuJu Watkins also made the “It’s time for Dodger baseball” call. The guard has sustained an injury to her right index finger, but still made the ball connect with Stone.

“This is probably the most nervous I’ve ever been. Basketball comes easy, not baseball," she said (via Dodger Blue).

Besides JuJu Watkins, Los Angeles Sparks' Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson are the only other female basketball players to throw the first pitch at the Dodger Stadium this season.

JuJu Watkins is all set to be the face of women's college basketball in the upcoming season

After a dominant freshman season that saw JuJu Watkins lead the Trojans to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1994, the young guard is preparing for another great season. However, this time around, she will have the added pressure of being the face of the league following Caitlin Clark's departure to the WNBA.

Talking about all the attention that NCAAW has been receiving from fans of all age groups, JuJu Watkins said (via Yahoo Sports):

“To see the little boys in my jersey, that’s crazy. It negates all the sexist points of views and sexist ways of thinking about our game. To know a boy can look up to a girl and not try to take anything away from her game, to not have to compare her to a man but just to love her game, that’s how barriers are broken. That’s how we make the world better.”
“Black women have paved the way in this game,” Watkins said. “So many of them have broken down doors for us today. It’s about time Black women got the recognition they deserve in this sport," she added.

The USC Trojans have made a few important roster changes this off-season and will enter the upcoming season as one of the favorites to win the title. They will, however, face heavy competition from UConn and South Carolina.

Also read: USC star JuJu Watkins makes first pitch at Dodgers game rocking Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low

Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here

Edited by Parag Jain
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