Caitlin Clark’s impact reaping benefits as college star JuJu Watkins inks MASSIVE Nike deal
College basketball star JuJu Watkins has signed a new multi-year extension with Nike after an incredible freshman season with USC.
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After Caitlin Clark, USC star JuJu Watkins signs new multi-year extension with Nike
Even before Caitlin Clark decided to leave college and move to the WNBA, she was a star athlete on the Nike roster. But once her impact in the professional game showed instant returns, the sneaker giant handed her one of the biggest contracts to any women’s basketball player ever.
The size of that deal has rubbed off as A’ja Wilson was the next benefactor. With other athletes coming into focus, JuJu Watkins is the latest in line. The USC sophomore was already part of the Nike family.
ESPN’s Shams Charania took to social media to reveal that Watkins signed a new multiyear contract with Nike.
USC sophomore phenom JuJu Watkins has agreed on a multiyear contract extension with Nike that will give her one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball, sources tell ESPN.
Shams Charania said
USC sophomore phenom JuJu Watkins has agreed on a multiyear contract extension with Nike that will give her one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/zjEAeOTXeT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 8, 2024
It could possibly rival the $28 million deal Caitlin Clark signed earlier this year. It is huge news for women’s basketball as its stars now have shown that they can rival the best in the NBA in terms of fan following.
Charania also confirmed that Watkins’ representatives, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Jade-Li English, were instrumental in the negotiations. The same team was also responsible for netting A’ja Wilson her first signature shoe as part of a long-term contract. They had also helped the WNBA MVP to become an ambassador for Gatorade.
With NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals taking centerstage in college sports, the actual valuation of this deal could shoot the 19-year-old up the NIL top earners board. With her sophomore year set to start, her team is better equipped to challenge for the NCAA Championship. If she does manage to lead the team there, expect her value to rise even more.
JuJu Watkins next in line among women’s basketball generational talents
When Caitlin Clark first started her college career, she was not considered a generational talent. But her continuous improvements turned her into one. Her recruiting class No. 1 player Paige Bueckers is another prodigious talent. Bueckers’ UConn teammate Azzi Fudd could have been on the list had it not been for injuries.
Then comes JuJu Watkins. The 6′ 2″ guard has a unique blend of size and skill, both on and off the ball, that makes her the next generational talent. Her 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists made her one of the best players of this past season. With better teammates around her, Watkins should not have a problem leading them to a dominating season.
When the time comes for her to take her talents to the WNBA, the league will get one of the best women’s basketball prospects in recent memory. Watkins has so far given every indication that she will continue the transformation that Clark has started.
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Joseph Varghese
(2169 Articles Published)