JuJu Watkins stepped into college basketball and, well, completely took it by storm. Records? She’s smashing them. Expectations? She’s exceeding them. Comparisons? She was already being talked about alongside Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. And while Paige’s UConn Huskies got the upper hand the last time the two stars met, the 19-year-old’s achievements suggest this rematch might have a very different story.

Just before their big showdown, Watkins is making headlines with her jersey now hanging in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. That alone is mind-blowing, but let’s break down why she totally earned it. This season, she’s averaging a jaw-dropping 24.7 points per game. This is after she tailed Caitlin Clark last season with 27 points per game.

She’s already set records, such as being the fastest Power Five player in women’s college basketball history to hit 1,000 career points, accomplishing this in just 38 games—two fewer than Caitlin Clark. Not to forget, she scored 51 points in a single game, which made her the country’s top scorer. 

Now, all this buzz about the rising star comes at the perfect time because, this Saturday night, her USC Trojans will face Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies at the XL Center in Hartford. 

The last time these two met, it was an Elite Eight thriller. UConn snagged that one 80-73. Both star players were at their best and put up nearly identical numbers. The Trojans guard had a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double, while the Huskies senior answered with 28 points and 10 boards. 

However, this season, both teams have had their struggles this season. USC fell against Notre Dame, losing 74-61, while UConn broke their winning streak in their 79-68 loss to the same opponent. But this Saturday, a lot is at stake.

As for the lineup, UConn’s starters include their usuals- Bueckers, Sarah Strong, Kaitlyn Chen, Ice Brady, and Ashlynn Shade. Meanwhile, USC’s lineup will feature Watkins, Kiki Iriafen, Talia von Oelhoffen, Rayah Marshall, and Kayleigh Heckel. And you can bet they have revenge on their mind. But do you know? It’s not just on the court where JuJu is shining. She’s also becoming a force in the business world. 

JuJu Watkins scores big off the court

At just 19 years old, Watkins is already one of the youngest investors in the groundbreaking Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. The Napheesa Collier-Breanna Stewart-founded league is all about recreating what women’s sports can look like.

The league has already pulled in $28 million in Series A funding, with big-name investors like Olympic champ Michael Phelps, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and South Carolina coaching legend Dawn Staley. Joining the legendary ranks, the Trojans prodigy surely knew where she was putting her money.

“She was adamant about investing,” said Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled’s president. “We need people who see the vision and are ready to roll up their sleeves, and JuJu checks all the boxes,” he added. And the monetary aspect is not even a question for someone like Watkins, who has signed lucrative NIL deals with brands like Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm. 

Currently, her NIL valuation is $576,000 as of December 2024. Yet, instead of just sticking to endorsements, she’s stepping up big-time and getting into ownership. Amidst all this, let it sink in that she is just a sophomore. With so much already in her bag, it’s always exciting to see what is she up to next.