USC Trojans sophomore standout JuJu Watkins is setting her sights on a deep NCAA tournament run, with hopes of securing a national championship in 2025. Even though USC fell short in the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game against their long-time rival, UCLA, the team remains a strong contender for a No. 1 seed. With Watkins leading the charge, they are expected to be among the favorites in the tournament.
During that championship matchup, Watkins reached a significant milestone—surpassing the point total that former Iowa Hawkeyes star and current Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark accumulated during her first two college seasons. Now, the only player ahead of Watkins in this statistical category is Clark’s Fever teammate, Kelsey Mitchell. As Watkins continues to cement her place in college basketball history, her mutual respect for Clark has become evident.
One particularly meaningful gesture from Clark has caught attention—she shared her phone number with Watkins to offer guidance on navigating the pressures of being a high-profile athlete. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Watkins opened up about what this act of support meant to her. “It means a lot to have her support,” Watkins shared. Despite not reaching out yet, she expressed appreciation for knowing she has Clark in her corner.
Beyond the numbers and records, Watkins has been vocal about being a fan of Clark’s game. She admires how Clark has seamlessly transitioned into the WNBA and continues to thrive in her rookie season with the Indiana Fever. Watkins stated that she is always rooting for Clark and is proud of what she has accomplished so far.
While their journeys remain separate for now, basketball fans can’t help but anticipate a future showdown between these two rising stars in the WNBA. For now, Watkins remains focused on making her mark in college basketball, while Clark continues to shine in the professional league.
