"Don’t want to miss anything": JuJu Watkins reveals how she's preparing for the time she goes pro

USC's JuJu Watkins has only played a season in college basketball, but fans are already anticipating her professional debut. She had one of the best freshman seasons, scoring a record-breaking 920 points.

Her incredible skills and generational talent have led many to compare her with the likes of former Iowa star Caitlin Clark. Watkins spoke to Gatorade this week after signing the deal with the company where she revealed how she's preparing for her eventual jump to the pros.

"Taking it year by year. That’s the only way you can really get through it," JuJu said. "There’s so much I want to get done at this level. I don’t want to miss anything because I’m looking too far ahead."

JuJu Watkins averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for the Trojans as a freshman leading them to the Elite Eight. She mentioned during the interview that her focus is to build on her stellar debut season.

"I think it gave me a lot of experience and perspective. I know what to expect to get back to that level," she added.

"I want to build off my success from the previous year. I know I still got things to work on. ... I know what the standard is and I know what to expect."

---

JuJu Watkins speaks about pressure to be at top of women's basketball

With Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese leaving the college basketball landscape, JuJu Watkins has the opportunity to become the face of women's basketball.

The 6-foot-2 guard won the USBWA National Freshman of the Year award and set several NCAA records in her first season.

"I wouldn’t really say pressure," Watkins said during Big Ten media day. "So many great teams in this league, and I think my main focus is just winning with my team. And wherever that takes us, we’re grateful. I’m grateful for this opportunity."

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently talked about Watkins potentially overtaking Clark as the face of the sport.

"Caitlin is a supernova. And JuJu is probably a better player," Barkley said in "Throwbacks" podcast. "Those two women going to be running the WNBA for the next 10, 12, 14, 15, 20 years, basically,"

Lakers legend LeBron James also showered JuJu Watkins with praise, sending a motivating note: "Gotta keep you right Ju!!" as he reposted Watkins' Instagram post on his story last week.