Raising the Bar in Her Freshman Year, Can JuJu Watkins Overtake Caitlin Clark?

The University of Southern California freshman JuJu Watkins has been a breakout star this season. She has stunned all with her game and has displayed immense maturity. Watkins has performed so well that she is considered a contender to the Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark in the national player of the year awards run.

There is so much chatter about the same that critics cannot help but compare the playing styles of the two. While one is at the end of her college basketball career, the other is blossoming and trying to fill in a freshman’s role. Who knows after Clark leaves, Watkins might become the center of attention and be an informal Clark’s successor.

JuJu Watkins: The Freshman

Watkins is known for her aggressive gameplay and has a solid flurry of moves against her opponents when she attempts to pot the ball. She has an exceptional jump shot that she often uses to her advantage. She is known to break the defender’s rhythm with her agility and tenacity.

Her previous plays for the Sierra Canyon High School display that Watkins is adept at logo threes and shooting from far off the hoop. She also has a gentle touch from near the rim which helps deflect and basket the ball with much ease.

Though she hasn’t yet shown much of her ability in assists during her freshman season, Watkins possesses a sharp mind that can create layups for her opponents and help her team as she passes the ball to players near the basket.

Watkins also isn’t afraid to do the aggressive play inside the paints while defending and is quick to do the rebounding work. Her rebounding abilities are an evidence to her ferociousness and how saving the day for her team is a big motivation for the USC star.

Watkins had averaged a double-double with 27.5 points and 13.7 rebounds during her senior year with the Canyon. She is an occasional assist player but is more of a shooter and a rebounder.

Her exceptional 75% free throw percentage is a testament to the fact that Watkins is smart enough to take full advantage of an opponent’s mistakes. Since Watkins hasn’t displayed much of her assisting ability and also has an average field goal and three-pointer percentage of 49.3% and 44.4%, she would definitely like to amp up her targeting abilities.

The beneficial thing for Watkins thing with the Trojans is that they have given her complete freedom to unveil her dominant gameplay by giving her ample game time. Watkins, with five 30-pointer games, has already broken the WNBA star Lisa Leslie’s records of cruising to the most 30-pointer games in a USC freshman year.

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Going forward, the scenario looks perfect for Watkins to blossom.

Caitlin Clark: The Senior

On the other hand, Clark is known for her effective logo threes and three-pointers. In one of the interviews, Clark had admitted that her favorite part of the game is transitional offense. She uses her height to pass and rebound easily with her teammates and get fouls against low-height defenders.

Clark is one of the best scorers to have graced the college basketball circuit. She has a record of 9 40-pointers or above games in her college career and is expected to eclipse the WNBA star Breanna Stewart who has 4 40-pointer games in the WNBA.

Apart from that, Clark has also shown her 30-pointer prowess when she broke the WNBA star Kelsey Plum’s record. Clark currently stands with Detroit’s Antoine Davis record with 40 30-pointers as per The Athletic.

For her three-pointer game, Clark is often compared to the NBA legend Stephen Curry. Clark has shown her ability to pot difficult three-pointers from long ranges and is thus a fan’s favorite in the college basketball circuit.

Owing to her experience, Clark is as good an assist maker as she is a shooter. She has registered a tally of 40+ pointers, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds for about five times. She is so established in all parts of the game that she became the only player after WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu to notch a triple-double in four different years.

For her brilliant gameplay, she has often been heaped accolades on by coaches and compared to players. Furthermore, her ability to pick and roll is unparalleled. Going by her standards, Clark is estimated to be the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.

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Thus while Clark is a more rounded player, Watkins is slowly showing her skills in the current NCAA season. With time Watkins is only expected to excel. She will take time before coming near Clark and becoming better, whereas Clark will have to carry on her abilities in the WNBA.