College of Southern California basketball participant Juju Watkins gestures after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch previous to a baseball recreation between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — USC basketball star JuJu Watkins had a unique form of ball in her hand at Dodger Stadium.
She threw out a ceremonial first pitch Saturday evening earlier than the Freeway Sequence matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers.
“That is most likely essentially the most nervous I’ve ever been,” she mentioned beforehand. “Basketball comes simple, not baseball.”
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Watkins had mentioned she can be throwing left-handed due to a sprained proper index finger. However she warmed up tossing right-handed and caught together with her dominant hand to ship a strike to Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone, who was behind the plate.
“I all the time see it on social media,” she mentioned. “By no means did I believe I might be throwing a pitch.”
Watkins wore a customized Dodgers jersey and after throwing from the highest of the mound, she gave the standard pre-game name of “It’s time for Dodger baseball.” She was accompanied by her dad and mom and a cousin.
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As a freshman, Watkins led Southern California to its finest season in years, successful the Pac-12 championship earlier than falling one victory wanting a Remaining 4 look. She’s driving the wave of elevated curiosity in girls’s sports activities, particularly basketball.
“The ladies within the sport are unimaginable and simply to see the rise of the sport, it’s so inspiring,” she mentioned. “It’s positively a collective effort. I wouldn’t say I maintain any sole duty. Simply be sure that I’m doing my half.”
Watkins took a break after the season ended and lately vacationed in Mexico.
“Now I’m able to get again to it,” she mentioned. “There’s so many issues to get higher at.”
