“Different Offensive Force Than Caitlin Clark”: USC Freshman JuJu Watkins Gets Lauded by Ex-WNBA Star After Sweet 16 Qualification

USC’s standout freshman in women’s basketball, JuJu Watkins, has a well-established fandom. Recently, she played the sly defensive action that helped USC advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1994. In the Trojans’ 73-55 victory over Kansas, JuJu tallied 28 points, snagging 11 rebounds and five assists. When talking about the NCAA’s women’s basketball top players, it’s hard to overlook another exceptional guard, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.

As some would argue that it’s too soon to assess their seasonal value until the 2024 NCAA tournament concludes, American television basketball analyst and former WNBA star sat down to discuss her perspective in detail.

Veteran’s take on JuJu Watkins Vs Caitlin Clark

A perspective interview titled, ‘SPOTLIGHT on Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers & JuJu Watkins in the Women’s Tournament | First Take’ was posted by ESPN on Youtube. In the video, Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Rebecca Lobo discussed the most recent developments in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament. 6’4″ Lobo, who spent the majority of her WNBA career playing center, opened the argument on ‘JuJu Watkins’s impressive season’ and said, “she’s a different offensive force than Caitlin Clark. She’s not taking the logo 3es, but she is coming down using her handle. She can get to any spot on the floor, she’s unbelievable drawing contact and getting to the free throw line.”

Having played in the WNBA from 1997 to 2003, Lobo maintained her strong belief in USC freshman JuJu and continued to add,

Back in her time, Lobo was recruited by several colleges, but she decided to play for UConn, where she helped the Huskies win an undefeated 35–0 record and the 1995 National Championship. While hailing JuJu Watkins, Lobo in the same breath praised the history-maker from Iowa.

Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year nominee

In the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Monday in Iowa City, No. 1 seed Iowa defeated No. 8 seed West Virginia 64-54. Caitlin Clark shattered the single-season scoring mark for the conference by scoring 32 points in the game. Reflecting on her championship finish, Lobo remarked, “when you look at Caitlin Clark, there’s no way Iowa advances out of the second round without her, it’s so incredible. We’ve seen Caitlin Clark emerge as sort of an otherworldly force on the offensive end of the floor.”

Read More: March Madness Win Comes With a Price as Juju Watkins Survives Dangerous Play Against Kansas Jayhawks

Clark might win every major Player of the Year award given her individual performance and her part in helping Iowa win 29 games before March Madness and win a Big Ten tournament championship. Previously, her 51 pts set a school record in a victory over Stanford in February.

Both JuJu Watkins and Caitlyn Clark have left strong impressions early season headed to the next cut down, which would bring their teams closer to a national title followed by the Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year honor.

Read More: Sweet 16 Bound, Emotional Caitlin Clark Reflects on Childhood Dreams with 6 Word Message