JuJu Watkins joins Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, inking NIL deal with Gatorade days after historic Nike extension

The USC Trojans' star JuJu Watkins surprised the college sports world when it was reported that she signed a multiyear contract extension with footwear and apparel giant Nike. But the surprise didn't stop when Watkins announced her other collaboration with Gatorade, hence becoming only third women's college athlete behind Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers to sign with the company.

As part of the collaboration, she will appear in Gatorade's advertisements, etc. JuJu Watkins told to CBS Sports:

"Growing up as a young basketball player, I think that was every kid's dream, including mine. Being a part of the Gatorade family with so many iconic names is really cool and something that I never thought I would do, but here we are. I'm super pumped."

She posed for the modern classic Gatorade shoot, where colorful beads of sweat oozed from athletes' faces. The caption of the post was:

"Next up is here now ⚡️ Welcome to the G Fam @jujubballin."

JuJu Watkins reveals if there was a 'superstar hooper' group chat

In an exclusive interview with CBS Sports, Watkins not only talked about her latest deal with Gatorade, but she also spoke about Bueckers and Clark.

Paige Bueckers was the first ever college athlete ever to sign an NIL deal with Gatorade, while the former Iowa icon Caitlin Clark joined the 'G Fam' in December 2023. JuJu revealed that there is no superstar ballers group chat and that she does not meet them often. She also said that conversation with them is "very cordial."

Watkins is set to become the next big thing in women's college basketball and in the Big Ten.

"I don't really think about that narrative too much," JuJu Watkins said, as per CBS Sports. "I think the main goal is just trying to win and navigate this new space that we are in. I'm just excited to experience this new atmosphere. A lot of different teams that are really strong and powerful. So I think my main focus is just getting prepped for this season and gel with my team."

Watkins was the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in NCAA Division I women's basketball history, scoring 920 points.