JuJu Watkins replicates Caitlin Clark and WNBA vet on a career night as she makes USC history

On November 15, during a matchup against Santa Clara, USC guard JuJu Watkins became the fastest Power Five player to score 1,000 career points in women’s college basketball history. Reaching this milestone in just 38 games, she outpaced Caitlin Clark’s previous record of 40 games.

Just two weeks later, Watkins shattered another record of Clark, becoming the fastest player to achieve 15 games with at least 30 points in the past decade. The 19-year-old guard delivered an astonishing 40-point performance in USC’s commanding 94-52 victory over Cal Baptist. It also included a USC program-record nine three-pointers on just 11 attempts.

A tweet from Michael Voepel, a writer from ESPN, surfaced down the internet, which read:

"In @USCWBB 's 94-52 win over Cal Baptist, JuJu Watkins: 40 points, program-record 9 of 11 from 3-point range."

This puts her in an elite group of players alongside legends like Caitlin Clark and Rachel Banham, especially as one of the few to score at least 40 points with nine three-pointers in a single game over the past 25 years.

JuJu Watkins has quickly become the centerpiece of discussions in women’s basketball. With every game of hers, fans are drawing comparisons to Caitlin Clark. In a conversation with Athlon Sports, Watkins shared her perspective on the buzz.

“I would say I just do my best to be myself and play my way,” she explained.

“I don’t really think too much about the comparisons or the pressure, but I would say I just go out there and try to have fun, do what I do and continue to work hard. I think that’s my mentality always” she said.

Adding to her streak, Watkins posted 34 points, six rebounds, and four assists during USC’s win over Saint Louis earlier in the same week. While Clark needed 42 games to accomplish 15 30-point performances, Watkins achieved the feat in just 41, per I Talk Hoops.

JuJu Watkins making an impact beyond basketball

JuJu Watkins is also leaving her mark off the court with major endorsement deals. At just 17 years old, Watkins made a partnership with State Farm. Following Caitlin Clark’s partnership with the insurance giant, Watkins is now the second collegiate athlete to join the brand.

As part of the partnership, Watkins stars alongside Jake from State Farm in a campaign, where she is cast as his “new neighbor.” Watkins herself expressed excitement about aligning with the brand:

“Not only are they one of the biggest brands in sports, but they’ve also been investing in basketball and the women’s game for decades.”

The deal also includes a personal docuseries — On the Rise: JuJu Watkins. This will air on NBC and offer fans a closer look at her journey. On the other hand, the success of Caitlin Clark’s partnership with State Farm achieved 46% higher consumer engagement through featured Ads.