"JuJu Watkins is nasty": Sheryl Swoopes once dropped honest assessment of USC star's ceiling

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes once shared her assessment of JuJu Watkins amid her remarkable freshman season. During her infamous interview on Gilbert Arenas' "Gil's Arena" show, the four-time WNBA champion talked about the USC Trojans star, mincing no words to describe Watkins' talent and ceiling.

Swoopes even dared to say that Watkins could be ready to make it to the pros in a couple of years instead of spending the full four years in college.

"JuJu is the truth. JuJu is nasty. Her ceiling is unlimited, it's just absolutely unlimited. I love her game because she plays both ends of the floor. I love her size, and she's a freshman, she's dominating everywhere. If women could leave earlier and go to the league, JuJu Watkins is one of those players I would say by her junior year--I don't think she's ready right now.

"I think she's one of the best in the game today, but I don't think as a freshman for her to leave early and go play [in the WNBA], no, but I would say, give her a couple of years. JuJu is nice," Swoopes said.

During her freshman season, JuJu Watkins played 34.6 minutes per game, averaging 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.6 blocks per outing while shooting 40.1% from the field and 85.2% from the free-throw line.

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JuJu Watkins says college players should have the chance to declare earlier for the WNBA Draft

JuJu Watkins commented on a similar point to Sheryl Swoopes' about her chances to make it to the WNBA earlier than most players. The WNBA has a minimum age requirement of 22, meaning that several players who could make an earlier impact on the W must wait until they're old enough to become professional.

While she says that college can be beneficial for her and her peers, Watkins thinks that players should be allowed to declare for the draft.

"I want to say personally I am enjoying my experience coach (Lindsay Gottlieb)," Watkins said on Good Game With Sarah Spain. "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 is in her sophomore year, once again turning a lot of heads with the Trojans.