NCAA analyst gives his 2 cents about JuJu Watkins’ wish to play like Caitlin Clark: “That’s a pretty strong quote” 

USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins recently sparked reactions with her candid admiration for former Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, a player widely regarded as one of the most transformative figures in women’s basketball.

During an interview with FOX on Thursday, Watkins’ statement, "I wish I played like her," drew notable attention, including a reaction from NCAA analyst Robin Lundberg on Friday on his YouTube channel, talking about the significance of her words.

“'I wish I played like her' (JuJu Watkins about Caitlyn Clark). I don’t know if I’ve heard that before,” Lundberg said.

“The article mentions Clark’s ability to shoot the three, but that’s a pretty strong quote, ‘I wish I played like her’. I know a lot of Caitlyn Clark fans are going to love to hear that.”

Lundberg pointed out how this statement stands in contrast to past responses about Clark from other players.

“A lot of the focus on Clark has been about her impact on the sport, which is tremendous, unlike anything I’ve ever seen," Lundberg said. "But sometimes, the basketball part of it got lost in the shuffle because people tried to make it about something other than basketball.”

Highlighting what makes Clark special, Lundberg emphasized her court vision and awareness as her most defining attributes.

“To me, her number one quality is probably her court vision and awareness,” Lundberg said. "So to see someone like JuJu Watkins say that statement, maybe it's just paying a compliment or respect but it's gonna hit different for a lot of people simply because of the reluctance of others to perhaps say something similar in the past.”

Clark’s influence on the game has been undeniable, both in her on-court performances and the conversations surrounding her. For a young talent like Watkins to openly express a desire to emulate Clark underscores her massive impact on the sport.

JuJu Watkins weighs in on WNBA draft eligibility rule

Some of the stars in women’s college basketball, including USC’s JuJu Watkins, are still years away from being eligible for the WNBA draft due to league rules.

The WNBA requires players to either graduate college or turn 22 in the same calendar year as the draft to be eligible, leaving standout sophomores like Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson, among others, unable to enter the league until at least 2027.

Watkins offered a more measured perspective during a press conference.

“I think eventually that would be nice to have that option,” Watkins said on Dec. 19. "But I think the league isn’t necessarily where it needs to be. There needs to be more roster spots, more teams. So it’s definitely developing and continuing to grow.”

Watkins acknowledged the league’s progress while also highlighting the benefits of spending more time in college.

“I’m having fun in college,” Watkins said. “And I can’t wait to get to the pros. For me personally, I don’t see the benefit [of entering earlier], but definitely down the line.”

She also talked about the delicate balance between giving players more freedom and ensuring they’re prepared for the professional level.

“I would definitely say we should have the option,” Watkins said. “But I think college is a way to prepare us for the pros as well. So, I don’t know. It’s a touchy subject, but I’m for it.”

Watkins’ comments reflect her thoughts on transitioning to the WNBA and enjoying time in college basketball. Expanding the league and increasing its capacity are necessary steps before revisiting draft eligibility rules.