JuJu Watkins on college classes, Pinterest, and finding space for herself

At 19-years-old, JuJu Watkins is juggling a full court press of college coursework along with a high-profile basketball career that will likely see her go pro in just a few short years. But Watkins isn’t breaking a sweat. In fact, she’s eager to add another proverbial ball to the mix.

“I actually wanted to learn to play guitar and then I had season, and now I’m on to different things,” she tells Mashable while in town for an event hosted by Meta AI. There she told the NYC crowd that she hopes aspiring athletes can use the tool to access resources like training plans. As for herself, “Maybe I can ask Meta AI where to start [with guitar],” she says, noting that her guitar does need a little love. “It’s in my living room, but for now it’s just decoration.”

Read on for more about Watkins’ favorite apps, ways to relax off the court, and her summer side quests.

I watched some of your highlights last night. The clean “swish” of the ball going through the net over and over is like ASMR.

Yes! I feel the same way.

Do you listen to ASMR? Or is there a sound like that that calms you down?

I don’t watch ASMR but I love stress balls. I use them when I study.

You’re going to be a sophomore at USC. How is school?

School is great. I recently took a feminist theory class, which is like, crazy. I’ve actually taken two classes so far, learning about the different theories has been cool and so has learning about the history and how it all comes together. Right now I’m on track to be a communications major.

I noticed a few Bear Bricks in an Instagram photo you posted of your room. Are you a collector?

I was collecting them and then I was just like, “Why am I spending so much money on these?” So unless I see one that I really really can’t live without, I won’t buy it. But it was a hobby of mine for a couple months. I have a Michael Jackson, Joker, and a Basquiat. 

I think, honestly, that I go through phases when it comes to collecting — a lot of phases. And then I’ll be like, why am I doing this? Sneakers I think will always be something I collect, though. I never seem to get tired of that. Right now I store them in shoeboxes, which I have to fix. I have to go to The Container Store and buy something more aesthetic, like the clear acrylic boxes.

I’ve seen you’re doing a lot more on camera work, how has that been? Your Morgan and Morgan ad was actually iconic.

It’s definitely crazy. I consider it like a side quest, honestly. I’m just doing things and getting better at it slowly. Sometimes I get a little nervous just because it’s kind of out of my comfort zone.

For example, Morgan and Morgan were like “show personality [laughs], try to be quirky” or something. When they give you a specific emotion and you try to replicate it, that’s always the awkward part. When I feel like, “I wouldn’t do that,” it’s like, “Okay, I have to act.” And acting is out of the box for me a little.

In March, basketball great Cheryl Miller asked if you’d found a “space for yourself” amidst all the pressure of your career and you said no. Has anything changed since then?

I’ve definitely gotten better, I think, just being in the offseason. During season, it could get a bit much. But then after season, you get to take a deep breath in and just chill. You grind and then you have vacation. I think that’s just the circle of life. But I’m having fun. I went on my first vacation recently. I went to Mexico for a couple days and shopped. But I love LA, so that’s just a vacation in itself.

You’re from Watts and a USC girl. How do you feel about New York?

[Laughs] It’s not my fave. You guys have got great food, which is something I can always appreciate. I don’t know, it just might be a little too much going on. It’s a little busy for me. I like calmness. And the weather I can’t really get with. Honestly, though, I feel like I haven’t really gotten a chance to truly explore so maybe if I explore more, I’ll enjoy it.

Another Instagram post of your included the quote “Your idea of me is not my responsibility to live up to.”

[Laughs] Everybody thinks that’s so deep, I just found it on Pinterest and I liked it.

You’re a Pinterest girly?

I am! I am a Pinterest girly. I use it to find inspo, tattoos, interior design for how I want to do my apartment.

I’m also on Instagram a lot more. Whenever I have cute pictures, I’ll post them. But honestly, I’m not like an avid [poster], I just want to keep my fans engaged and try to show my personality a bit. I’m pretty chill about it.

I’m also on Snapchat. [My team is] getting me out of my shell a little bit with social media. She follows me everywhere [laughs, pointing at a team member] for content so that’s how we do Snapchat.

And I love TikTok. Whenever I’m chilling, I’ll just scroll. I usually find up and coming artists that way, like this one called Skaiwater. In terms of what I’m listening to right now, Kaytranada dropped an album that I was a fan of. I think I’m generally in an up tempo mood because it’s summer.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.