"It's a touchy subject": JuJu Watkins pushes for hoopers to leave college to pursue WNBA dreams
JuJu Watkins commented on the age limitations for college players to enter the WNBA draft. Unlike the NBA's threshold of 19, the women's big league has a minimum age requirement of 22, so several talented women's basketball players are ineligible at a younger age and forced to wait until their senior year of college.
Watkins began with a subjective take on the rule, citing her college experience. She believes that college is the perfect place to build one's brand and carve out skills for the big league. Nevertheless, the USC Trojans guard said that the players must at least be allowed to declare for the WNBA draft earlier.
"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."
JuJu Watkins' coach Lindsay Gottlieb explained how NIL has changed the landscape of college athletics and has allowed players to earn from it more than they might in the big league.
For eg., Caitlin Clark earned seven figures during her time with the Iowa Hawkeyes, but she earned $76,535 in her first year due to WNBA's limitations for a rookie contract.
Former NBA coach claims JuJu Watkins is better than Caitlin Clark
In an X update on Tuesday, former San Antonio Spurs coach George Karl said that JuJu Watkins is a bigger basketball talent than Caitlin Clark. Citing Watkins' size, athleticism and skill set, he believes she's well-suited to compete in the NBA as well.
"As good as Caitlin Clark is, I’m thinking Juju Watkins may even be better. She looks to have the size, athleticism and talent to even compete in the NBA at some level!," Karl tweeted.
Only time will tell how Watkins and Clark's talent fare next to each other. However, it seems like the USC guard is on her way to breaking some of the records set by Clark in the Hawkeyes, including her all-time NCAA scoring leader title.
Watkins reached her 1000th college point in her 38th overall game earlier this season, two games before Clark scored her 1000th point.