Caitlin Clark had an unforgettable Sunday as the Iowa Hawkeyes retired her iconic No. 22 jersey, cementing her legacy at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The ceremony followed an impressive performance by Iowa, which pulled off a stunning 76-69 upset against the No. 4 USC Trojans, despite being a 12.5-point underdog.
JuJu Watkins, who has quickly become one of the biggest stars in women’s college basketball, led the Trojans with 27 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome Iowa’s standout performance, led by Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen, who put up 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Even after the loss, Watkins and the USC team stayed to witness Clark’s jersey rise to the rafters, a moment of respect for one of the game’s greatest players.
During her speech, Clark took a moment to acknowledge Watkins, praising her performance and potential. “JuJu, you were awesome,” Clark told the young star. She also extended her appreciation to the entire USC team, adding, “I’m a huge fan of all of you.” Her words highlighted the mutual respect among top-tier athletes and her excitement for the next generation of women’s basketball.
Watkins, now in her sophomore season, has been making headlines with her incredible play, averaging 24.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists before the Iowa game. She is on pace to challenge Clark’s NCAA scoring record and is already seen as a frontrunner to lead USC to a national championship—something Clark narrowly missed during her time at Iowa.
Despite the setback for USC, the Trojans remain a title contender with a strong 19-2 record. As Watkins continues to rise, her battle for history will be one to watch, just as Clark’s was. Sunday’s ceremony not only honored Clark’s past but also shined a light on the bright future of women’s basketball.
