"MJ OF WOMEN’S SPORTS": College hoops fans buzz at JuJu Watkins' latest collaboration with Gatorade leading to Michael Jordan comparison
JuJu Watkins is emerging as one of the most popular players in women's college basketball. After enjoying a breakthrough freshman season with the USC Trojans in 2023-24, major brands across the country are rapidly lining up NIL deals for the talented guard.
Earlier today, Gatorade became the latest name to feature in Watkins' impressive portfolio by naming the reigning National Freshman of the Year an ambassador for their brand, putting her in an elite company of college basketball players.
Watkins is only the third college basketball player to sign an NIL deal with Gatorade, joining former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark and UConn Huskies' Paige Bueckers, who both earned unanimous First-Team All-American honors in the 2023-24 season.
Watkins' latest deal with Gatorade drew several reactions from fans across the country. Some compared her to NBA legend Michael Jordan, who enjoyed a mercurial rise to fame in the initial days of his basketball career.
One fan said, "JUJU WILL BE THE MJ OF WOMEN’S SPORTS," one fan said.
"The Jordan of women's basketball for sure," another fan said.
"She really might be Jordan," one fan said.
Others have already accepted her as the face of women's college basketball, believing she could upstage Clark.
"She’s got the game and temperament to be a global icon," said one fan.
Another fan said, "Clark, who??? Make way....Next!" another fan said.
"Juju better than them other two in the league," one fan said.
JuJu Watkins strikes gold with NIL deals this week
Watkins' Gatorade deal comes just two days after she signed a multi-year contract extension with Nike. Per On3, her new NIL deal with Nike will be one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in all of women's basketball. Her current NIL valuation stands at $576,000, and will only increase over time.
Watkins came to the Trojans last season as the 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year and took women's college basketball by storm. In 34 starts, she finished second in the nation for points average (27.1) while setting an all-time national record for single-season points scored by a freshman (920).
Besides winning the National Freshman of the Year, Watkins finished as a finalist for the Naismith Trophy, Wade Trophy and the Honda Award, and won an ESPY for the Best Breakthrough Athlete.