“You don't want to have everything to be rosy”: Rich Paul on preparing USC‘s JuJu Watkins for her “journey” as the face of women’s college basketball
JuJu Watkins is touted as a potential frontrunner to be a women's basketball superstar. The 18-year-old posted 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in her first year to finish second on the NCAA scoring chart.
She became the All-Time leader in scoring as a freshman. However, her USC team's season ended earlier than expected, as the UConn Huskies beat them 80-72 in the Elite Eight.
When her agent Rich Paul was enquired about his approach to prepare Watkins for the negative side of the sporting world, the Klutch Sports CEO shared an ambitious blueprint.
"I think you need it, you need that," Rich Paul said on the Gil's Arena. "When we say negative, as long as it's not intentional hatred.
"If you're talking about just criticism and opinions, you don't want to have a puff piece. You don't want to have everything to be rosy and perfect. That is part of your journey," Paul added. (starts at 39:22)
Rich Paul presented Caitlin Clark's collegiate journey as an example of long-term success. He said that Calrk's decision to go through ups and downs solely with the Iowa Hawkeyes played a humungous role in harboring a one-of-a-kind following throughout the years.
With that, Paul sees JuJu Watkins' previous season as a success because it provides the USC star something to build on.
Rich Paul signed JuJu Watkins out of high school
Unlike most players, Watkins had an experienced sports agent by her side for her professional journey in high school. Paul was one of the few names to notice Watkins' potential early and immediately connected her with his brand.
Watkins was in 11th grade at Sierra Canyon High School at the time. She had won the Los Angeles Times Girls Basketball Player of the Year award at the time and a gold medal from Team USA's FIBA U16 stint, where she was named the MVP of the tournament. The deal with Klutch Sports Group in February 2022 made JuJu Watkins the agency's first female athlete out of high school.
Nevertheless, apart from success in her basketball career, JuJu Watkins partnered with Rich Paul due to her will to contribute to the community by helping people to gain education opportunities, financial literacy and inspiring young girls.