Parents Of Juju Watkins (Sierra Canyon): 5 Facts You Need To Know
Juju Watkins is the daughter of Sari and Robert Neal-Watkins, a rising basketball talent.
Vanessa Nygaard was discovered for the first time at an open house in 2016 at the Windward School in Los Angeles, where she was working as a teacher. Nygaard was the head coach of the girls’ high school basketball team when Juju was set to start seventh grade.
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Juju Watkins’s Parents Are Her Constant Support
She was born to parents Sari and Robert Neal-Watkins. ESPN Hoopgurlz ranks her as the No. 2 player in the class of 2023.
Sari, her mother, attended Washington Prep and played basketball there. Robert Neal, her father, was a basketball player at Verbum Dei. When she was seven, her uncle signed her up for a park league, which was the start of her basketball career.
During each of Watkins’ games, her entire family cheers her on and provides her advise from the sidelines. During the junior superstar’s 79-28 triumph over Bishop Montgomery, she rushed to her family and asked everyone to remain silent. As a result, she became the first female prep athlete to join LeBron James and Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports Group.
Her family, according to her father, drives her to succeed. She has a great work ethic in addition to being highly meticulous with her academics and studies.
Juju Started Playing Basketball When She Was Seven
Juju was probably around seven years old when she first picked up a basketball and started playing against boys on a court at the WCLAC.
She was practically unbeatable when she enrolled at Windward Middle School in seventh grade. Her opponents would employ every possible defensive plan against her, including numerous variations of the box-and-one strategy.
Four defenders play zone defense in a typical execution of this concept. The fifth defender, on the other hand, is entrusted with protecting the opposition team’s most dangerous offensive player. In Juju’s case, she was shielded by the four-person enclosure. It was still unable to deter her.
Her First High School Match Taught Her A Lot
Juju Watkins faced more hurdles than just competing against more experienced players when she was eventually given the opportunity to play for the high school squad. She had no choice but to play their games in order to compete.
Juju led the team in practically every official statistic (including points scored, rebounds obtained, assists distributed, and steals made), as well as a few unofficial numbers (blocked shots that made even opposing fans go wild).
Kobe Bryant was one of the people who took notice of her after he began following her on Instagram.
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Ted Watkins Is Her Great Grandfather
Ted Watkins, who died before Juju was born, was the founder of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee following the Watts riots.
Today, he is remembered with a park named after him, which contains a gym where Juju frequently trains.
Juju Watkins Was Named Gatorade’s California Girls Basketball Player Of The Year
Watkins, a junior at the time, was named the Gatorade California girls’ basketball Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season in March 2022.
The award recognizes exceptional athletic achievement as well as high levels of academic achievement and good conduct demonstrated both on and off the field.
She has volunteered with food banks, toy donation drives, and children’s basketball camps on behalf of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee.
Quick Facts On Juju Watkins
| Full Name | Juju Watkins |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Mother | Sari Watkins |
| Father | Robert Neal-Watkins |
| Age | 16 |
