“She’s killing it”: USC's JuJu Watkins impresses women hoops analyst after ambition with Unrivaled

USC’s JuJu Watkins has earned praise from hoops analyst Rachel DeMita for her forward-thinking business mindset after her recent deal with Unrivaled League. DeMita, a TV host, producer and digital creator known for her sports and lifestyle content, praised Watkins, who is proving to be a trailblazer on and off the court, for her ambition and ability to balance her roles as an athlete and entrepreneur.

Watkins recently became an investor in Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 basketball league with an equity deal.

“One of the names that stood out to me was JuJu Watkins,” DeMita said in a video on her YouTube channel on Wednesday. “Now, she’s only a sophomore in college. She wanted more than just equity in the company; she wanted to be an investor. And I thought that was really cool. She’s killing it on and off the court.”

DeMita encapsulated Watkins’ dual impact as a key player for the USC Trojans while setting a new standard for what it means to be a modern athlete. Watkins’ decision to pursue an investor role reflects her awareness of the importance of long-term financial planning and self-empowerment.

“It shows that she’s thinking of herself as a business,” DeMita said.

Watkins has already made significant strides in the NIL space, securing lucrative partnerships with major brands like State Farm, Nike, Gatorade and Beats by Dre. The deals, combined with her on-court dominance, have solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in women’s sports.

JuJu Watkins expresses her thoughts on WNBA draft age debate

JuJu Watkins recently spoke about the WNBA’s draft age-eligibility rules, which have been a point of contention in women’s basketball on "Good Game With Sarah Spain," where she was joined by her coach, Lindsay Gottlieb.

Players must graduate college or turn 22 in the same calendar year as the draft, effectively preventing many from declaring until their senior year.

"I want to say personally I am enjoying my experience, Coach," Watkins said. "I definitely think we should have the option. There's just been such a growth in college basketball where it's like, why would you want to leave?

"Because you're able to have that experience and build your brand here in college as well. I would definitely say we should have the option, 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 acknowledged the complexity of the issue, understanding arguments on both sides. While some advocate for lowering the draft age to give players more freedom, others point to the growing opportunities in college basketball, particularly with the rise of NIL deals.

Watkins, 19 and in her sophomore year, isn’t eligible for the WNBA draft until 2027. While a rule change could make her eligible as early as 2025, Watkins views her time in college as an opportunity to grow both on and off the court.