When it comes to shaking up women’s college basketball, Caitlin Clark has already written the blueprint, and USC’s head coach Lindsay Gottlieb is taking notes. Enter JuJu Watkins, USC’s phenom who has scorched the court since day one, leaving a trail of defenders and records in her wake. With Clark’s college success as her guide, Watkins is fast becoming the face of women’s basketball—and with that rise comes the challenge of managing her growing fame.
JuJu’s Meteoric Rise: The New Face of College Hoops?
As a freshman, Watkins not only broke the all-time first-year scoring record with 920 points, but she did it with a flair that left both fans and critics buzzing. Now a sophomore, Watkins is poised to take over the women’s basketball spotlight, much like Clark did during her reign at Iowa. Gottlieb knows the magnitude of the moment, and let’s just say she’s not about to let her star player go it alone.
Cue a little friendly advice from Caitlin Clark, who knows a thing or two about handling the weight of expectations. “We do have this blueprint in front of us,” Gottlieb said in a recent interview. “I reached out to Iowa and Caitlin, and I asked, ‘What do I do about security? Autographs? Game days?’” Because when you’re dealing with a talent like Watkins, it’s not just about managing the X’s and O’s—it’s about navigating the hurricane of hype that comes with being the best.
Clark’s Cool, Calm, and Collected Advice
In true Caitlin Clark fashion, the reigning queen of college hoops didn’t hesitate to help. After all, she spent the last year and a half fending off defenders and autograph seekers alike. Gottlieb even joked about the moment she introduced the two stars, recalling, “When Juju was standing here, Caitlin was right next to her, and I said, ‘Hey, what advice can you give me?’”
Clark’s response? Pure gold. “Juju’s going to have this attention for three years,” Clark warned, hinting that Watkins’ rise might last longer than her own college career. And instead of just doling out the usual clichés, Clark left Gottlieb with her contact info, ready to offer guidance whenever needed—after she finished her rookie WNBA season, of course.
A Star is Born in SoCal
Watkins has transformed USC’s program, and Gottlieb knew from day one that she had something special. During Watkins’ recruitment, there was a candid conversation in the coach’s backyard where Gottlieb flat-out admitted, “I’ve never been the number one player in the country at anything.” But she recognized that Watkins was different—she didn’t just want to be great, she wanted to be legendary.
With open communication and a shared vision, Gottlieb and Watkins are building a partnership designed to steer the young star through the swirling vortex of stardom, all while keeping her grounded. If Clark’s journey is any indication, Watkins is in for one heck of a ride—and Gottlieb is ready to steer the ship.
What’s Next for JuJu?
With Clark’s words of wisdom and Gottlieb’s steady hand, Watkins is set to make an even bigger splash this season. USC fans better buckle up, because the Trojans have a bona fide star on their hands—and with Caitlin Clark’s blueprint as a guide, the sky’s the limit for JuJu Watkins.
The only question is, will she follow in Clark’s footsteps or create a whole new path? Either way, women’s basketball is in for a wild ride, and Watkins is driving the bus—autographs, security, and all.