Caitlin Clark shared her phone number with JuJu Watkins back in April at the John R. Wooden Awards in Los Angeles.
“She was very open and said, ‘whatever you need,’” Watkins remembered. “I really appreciated her kindness.”
Watkins, a sophomore at USC, had been a fan of Clark, who had a successful career at Iowa before being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, from both a distance and up close.
“Caitlin is not only a talented player,” Watkins commented, “but she is also a genuinely good person.”
These two talented women in basketball continue to cross paths.
Clark received the Wooden Award, given annually to the most outstanding female collegiate basketball player, for a second time, while Watkins was a finalist in her freshman year.
On November 15, Watkins reached 1,000 career points in her 38th collegiate game, two games faster than Clark, who currently holds the Division I career scoring record.
Now, Watkins has become State Farm’s second NIL signing, following Clark’s deal with the brand last year.
“State Farm is a reputable brand and Caitlin is an incredible player,” Watkins shared. “To have the opportunity to be associated with both of them and be part of the State Farm family means a lot to me.”
Watkins has not yet utilized Clark’s phone number.
“I understand she’s adapting to the [WNBA], so I don’t want to bother her too much,” Watkins mentioned. “But if I do need to reach out, I’ll make sure to do so.”
Here are five key facts about JuJu Watkins, the USC Trojans college basketball player.
Watkins is featured in the original documentary series “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins” on Peacock. She is the first collegiate women’s basketball player to both star in and executive produce her own show.
“It gives a sneak peek into my life, which many people don’t often see,” she noted. “Viewers will get a glimpse into the world of women’s basketball and see how thrilling it can be.”
Watkins is excited to introduce viewers to her mother, Sari Watkins.
“She’s quite a character,” the younger Watkins shared. “I believe the series will truly showcase that and spotlight her well.”
How to watch the “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins” documentary series
Saturday, November 23, at 3 p.m. ET: The first two episodes of “On the Rise” will debut on NBC and Peacock
