The USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins has been at the helm of things for her college this year. Considered a contender for Caitlin Clark’s National Player of the Year award at one time, Watkins is the new face in the women’s college basketball circuit. For the same, she had signed major deals with Nike and Gatorade. However, her NIL hasn’t shown much growth despite her deals whereas her rival Paige Bueckers is ready to take the world by storm.

Wakins’ NIL is currently stranded at $576K, according to On3, which comes as a shock since she inked major deals with Gatorade and Nike in October. As per reports, her contract with the Swoosh is one of the “richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” Though the exact numbers of the deal haven’t been disclosed, it is an extension of her 2022 deal with Nike that she signed as a high school athlete.

Represented by Klutch Sports, the deal was finalized on October 8th. While Nike’s market cap is $168.28 billion and she would have gotten good numbers from that deal, she is not able to cross the million mark. And this becomes all the more astonishing when we take into account that she even signed a deal with Gatorade.

The 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year joined the ranks of Clark and Bueckers when she inked an agreement with Gatorade in October. Talking about her new deal, Watkins divulged that “I’m excited to officially be a member of the family” and Gatorade had been a part of her life since her early years. Plus she also reflected on the fact that Gatorade signs a deal only with the best. Despite the $240.18 billion company Pepsi Co.’s (the parent company to Gatorade) involvement, Watkins NIL is still meager as On3’s NIL valuation remains at $576k for the Trojans star. And what would have hurt her more is that her rival Bueckers has touched the million mark and is all set for her next chapter.

Paige Bueckers’ gets a shoe from Nike

Bueckers signed a deal with Nike ahead of the 2023-24 season. Since then, her NIL has shown a massive increase as it touched the $1.4 million mark. And Bueckers on Saturday received what must be the biggest gift from Nike. As per Sole Retriever, Bueckers made history when she was presented with her own Nike shoes: GT Hustle 3 PE.

The snippet posted by Sole Retriever on X shows sky-blue shoes with a purple swoosh. According to the same tweet, the shoes will be available for fans from December 7th and will be priced at $190. The kicks have “Be You, Be Great” written on them, a note that presents Bueckers’ persona, along with her name inked on the back of the right shoe. While the midsole is white, the outsole is white and purple.

Therefore, while Bueckers and Watkins had both signed a Nike deal, the Huskies star seems to be benefiting as of now. Hopefully, Watkins NIL will increase soon and it will reflect in her valuations.