JuJu Watkins vs Hannah Haldigo: Which Breakout Star Holds the Odds for NCAA Freshman of the Year?

JuJu Watkins of the USC Trojans and Hannah Haldigo of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are two of the best freshmen to ever set foot on the NCAA court. Both of these stars have put on exceptional performances for their respective teams, and are stopping at nothing but a win. Seeing both of them in action, fans couldn’t help but wonder who was going to win the NCAA Freshman of The Year award. 

As the season staggers on, both of these stars are intensifying their battle to clinch this award. And the one who manages to secure it will not just become a dominant player, but will also enjoy the sweet deals of NIL. 

Freshmen faceoff

After being named for the national player of the year honors and getting recognized as the top recruit in her class, JuJu Watkins joined the USC force to take her game to the next level. She started off her college career in the sport with a huge 32-point upset win over Ohio State. This first game of her college career set the tone of what could be expected from her in the upcoming games, and she didn’t disappoint. 

So far, the Trojans have played eight matches out of which they have won all eight games and it’s all thanks to their freshman Watkins. Currently, she is averaging 27.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists and she dropped her career high in a match against the Le Moyne Dolphins as she led her team to a flawless victory with a final score of 93-42. 

While her records make Watkins a great contender for the Freshman of The Year, her rival Hannah Haldigo won’t let this be an easy decision for the basketball community. Hidalgo is also a five-star recruit and fifth-ranked player in her class. During her High School days, she played for Paul VI, where she averaged 28.8 points and led her team to the South Jersey Non-Public A final. She received offers from several renowned colleges but she decided to commit to Notre Dame and help them win the national championship title.

In her college career debut game, she scored 31 points, which also marked the highest-scoring debut by a Notre Dame player since 1999. She has played nine matches so far out of which she has won eight and lost one, while averaging 23.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. 

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The addition of Watkins and Haldigo in the season has undoubtedly added a thrilling dimension to the ongoing 2023-24 NCAA season. As the season progresses, their intense battle on the court not only keeps fans on the edge of their seats but also sparks debates on who will claim the title. Notably, as the fans eagerly await the decision for this award, they both are also in the race of NIL’s.

Branding Power and Rivalry

According to On3 Elite, Watkins’s current NIL valuation stands at $199K with deals with companies like Nike, Lids, CashApp, and many more. And as she continues to elevate her game as the season unfolds, there will be no limitations on the number of deals pouring in for the star. On the other side, Haldigo has yet to sign any deal with companies. 

But, with the way things are going for the stars, it wouldn’t be an assumption to say that they both are going to have bright futures as their stories unfold. Fans are not just witnessing a competition, they’re witnessing the rise of potential legends, however, the final chapters of their tale are yet to be written.

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Who according to you will be this year’s NCAA Freshman of The Year? Tell us in the comments section!