JuJu Watkins vs Caitlin Clark Stats: How Far Is USC’s Freshman From Overtaking the No. 1 Player This Season?

The competition for national player of the year is expected to be intense, with no clear favorite emerging yet. Caitlin Clark, the previous season’s winner, is currently the frontrunner for the 2024 Wooden title, according to ESPN BET. However, Cameron Brink of Stanford, Angel Reese of LSU, and Paige Bueckers of UConn, who won the national player of the year title in 2021, are also strong contenders.

Adding to the mix is USC freshman JuJu Watkins, who is quickly making a name for herself and giving the other players a run for their money. The path to Cleveland and the national championship remains wide open, making for an exciting season ahead.

Drawing JuJu Watkins as Caitlin Clark’s parallel

This season, JuJu Watkins, a freshman at the University of Southern California, has emerged as a rising talent. Her game has left everyone in awe, and she has shown a great deal of maturity. Watkins’ performance has been so good that she is being regarded as a competitor for the national Player of the Year award, alongside Iowa Hawkeyes standout Caitlin Clark.

Critics can’t resist comparing the two players’ playing styles because there is so much discussion about them. One player’s collegiate basketball career is coming to a close, while the other is developing and attempting to assume the position of a freshman.

When Watkins tries to pot the ball against her opponents, she may counter with a strong series of movements that are well-known for her aggressive style of play. She frequently makes good use of her remarkable jump shot. Her athleticism and persistence are renowned for disrupting the defender’s rhythm. Conversely, Clark’s trademark three-pointers and logo threes are well-known.

Clark acknowledged in one of the interviews that she enjoys playing transition offense the most. Her height allows her to effortlessly pass and grab rebounds with her teammates, as well as draw fouls while facing low-height opponents.

Among the top scorers to have ever graced the collegiate basketball scene is Clark. With nine games in her collegiate career with 40 points or more, she is likely to surpass WNBA player Breanna Stewart, who has four such performances.

The good thing about Watkins’ relationship with the Trojans is that they have allowed her plenty of game time, which has propelled her to fully showcase her excellent talent. With five 30-point games, Watkins has already surpassed the record set by WNBA player Lisa Leslie for the most 30-point games in a USC rookie season.

A deep run in Watkins’ stats

Watkins has lived up to the hype that she was the top overall recruit in the class of 2023. Aside from her several 30-point games, one of which was a memorable victory against Ohio State, her physique and athleticism are combined with such variety, talent, composure, and smoothness that it’s obvious she’s not your typical top recruit.

It’s difficult not to watch Watkins and consider her intriguing ceiling as a professional possibility, in fact. In fewer than ten games, she has elevated the Trojans to national prominence. The AP poll has USC ranked at its highest level since 1994.

Throughout her final year at the Canyon, Watkins consistently averaged a double-double with 27.5 points and 13.7 rebounds. While primarily known for her shooting and rebounding skills, she does occasionally contribute assists. Watkins’ ability to capitalize on her opponents’ mistakes is evident from her impressive 75% free throw percentage.

However, it is worth noting that she hasn’t displayed much proficiency in assisting others, as her average field goal and three-point shooting percentages stand at 49.3% and 44.4% respectively. Undoubtedly, Watkins would like to enhance her shooting accuracy.

Read More: Is Women’s Basketball Legend Dawn Staley a Caitlin Clark Critic in Denial?

Can Watkins outsmart Caitlin Clark?

With the assumption that she declares her intention, Caitlin Clark, whose collegiate CV is already one of the most distinguished in the history of basketball, is expected to be the top pick in the WNBA draft scheduled for April.

In terms of women’s D1 lifetime scoring records, Kelsey Plum currently holds the first record, but Clark has the potential to surpass it by the end of February if she continues to perform at her current points-per-game pace. In terms of significance, the second event is the national championship that her Hawkeyes were unable to clinch in the previous season.

Furthermore, not only does she possess the potential to surpass Pete Maravich’s record of 3,667 D1 basketball career points, which has stood for over half a century, but she can also achieve this feat during the Big Ten tournament. In addition to her scoring prowess, Clark is often compared to the legendary Stephen Curry of the NBA due to her exceptional three-point shooting skills.

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In order to achieve the legendary status in her career that Caitlin Clark has, JuJu Watkins must work hard and climb the career ladder.