Shoe deals have always been a huge part of hoop culture. And now, they’re making waves in women’s basketball too. Caitlin Clark landed a signature deal with Nike. But she’s not the only one. A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu already have signature shoe deals in place. But while sneakerheads eagerly wait for Nike to drop Clark’s first shoe, the sportswear giant seems to be shifting its focus–for now!

Back in October, big news hit the basketball world. JuJu Watkins had signed a new multi-year extension with Nike. But that’s not all. According to ESPN, it was one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in all of women’s basketball. It was a deal she absolutely deserved. Watkins had just shattered the Division 1 freshman scoring record, one that had stood for over 40 years! She averaged 27.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. It was one of the greatest in women’s college basketball history.

According to KicksFinder, JuJu Watkins will be receiving her own Nike G.T. Cut 3 Turbo LE this Fall 2025. While fans patiently wait for the Caitlin Clark signature line, they could very well be tempted to get this as well.

The report reveals that the sneaker will come in either coconut milk or black Camarillo colors. The price? Just under $200. It’s expected to drop on August 1, and it’s something worth keeping an eye on. Alongside JuJu, Boston Celtics star Jrue Holiday will also be getting his own Nike G.T. Cut 3 Turbo LE this July. The price is rumored to be the same. Looks like July-August is shaping up to be a big month for sneakerheads!

Now, the timing of this announcement might seem a bit odd, especially with the 19-year-old sidelined after tearing her ACL and missing the big dance. However, this could be Nike’s clever way of motivating JuJu to make a strong comeback. But how do the USC Trojans replace their best player? Who will step up to help them continue their dance forward in the tournament?

Can USC survive without the services of Caitlin Clark’s rival?

JuJu was on fire this season! Averaging nearly 24 points and 7 rebounds, she had USC primed for a deep run in the big dance. The minimum expectation? At least surpass the Elite 8 finish from last season. But now, with her injury, those hopes are in serious doubt.

There were doubts about whether the Trojans could even get past the Mississippi State Bulldogs. But up stepped Kiki Iriafen. The 6’3″ forward finished with 36 points and nine rebounds to help the Trojans reach the Sweet 16. The star forward is confident they will be fine without JuJu.

“I wouldn’t say this is our defining moment,” Iriafen said, as reported by Beth Harris of the Associated Press. “It’s what we expect of ourselves. We expect to win in this tournament regardless if it’s going our way, we have people, we don’t have people. That’s the standard here.” The Trojans play the number 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16. It remains to be seen how they function without their best player, but they will definitely head into the game as favorites. ESPN gives them a 72% chance of dancing through to the Elite 8.

JuJu Watkins is undeniably making waves both on and off the court. While her injury may have thrown a wrench into USC’s tournament hopes, Nike is making sure her impact continues to be felt. The announcement of her own Nike G.T. Cut 3 Turbo LE sneaker is proof of just how far her popularity has risen. While Caitlin Clark fans continue to wait for the signature sneaker, Nike would be hoping they will still invest in the JuJu sneaker! They know their marketing!