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Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith showered JuJu Watkins with praise after the USC star led her team to a significant victory over Paige Bueckers and No.4 UConn on Saturday. Watkins was the standout player for the Trojans (11-1), scoring 25 points, securing six rebounds, and providing five assists in a thrilling 72-70 win against the Huskies at XL Center.
The 19-year-old sophomore, who was unanimously named an All-American in her freshman season, has continued her impressive form this year, defeating Bueckers and the Huskies to strengthen her claim as the nation’s top collegiate player. Watkins’ crucial free throws with just 19.5 seconds left gave USC a three-point lead, which they managed to maintain, showcasing her ability to thrive under pressure.
‘First Take’ analysts Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith were amazed by Watkins’ performance, both suggesting that the reigning Freshman of the Year should be considered alongside Caitlin Clark. Clark rose to fame during her time at Iowa before being picked as the No. 1 overall draft pick in this year’s WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.
She went on to have a record-breaking debut season, earning Rookie of the Year honors. “I don’t know if I’ve seen a women’s college basketball player as polished as JuJu Watkins,” expressed NFL Hall of Famer Sharpe. “The way she can handle the ball, drive to the rim, execute Eurosteps, one-legged shots, 3-pointers, mid-range shots, and play exceptional defense.”
“She excels in all aspects of the game,” Sharpe continued. “Her versatility and skills make her one of the most polished basketball players we’ve seen at the women’s level.”
Sharpe boldly stated that Watkins should “absolutely” be in the same conversation as Clark. Joining in the admiration, Smith added: “We should be giving her the same recognition we gave Caitlin Clark last year. JuJu is special. She has all the attributes to be a standout player.”
Watkins has captivated the nation this season, averaging 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game, with an impressive 46.2 field goal percentage. Now, Watkin’s No. 7 USC team is gearing up for their upcoming matchup against No. 20 Michigan at the Galen Center on Sunday. Following that, they will face No. 23 Nebraska on New Year’s Day, aiming to secure more notable victories in their successful season.
This article originally appeared on Mirror US
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