WNBA news: Caitlin Clark’s character and Flau’jae Johnson’s stance | Other | Sport

The WNBA offseason is in full swing, with the Draft set for next month and fans eagerly anticipating their ideal picks for the 2025 season. Dallas Wings supporters are particularly excited about their number-one pick in the Draft as they count down the days until April 14. The Unrivaled league has kept fans engaged during the offseason, with Angel Reese making headlines after her Rose BC team won the first-ever final.

College basketball continues to captivate audiences, with March Madness delivering thrilling games and fierce rivalries. However, not all news is positive, as injuries across the league could affect players’ chances of joining their dream WNBA team in the coming weeks. JuJu Watkins suffered a devastating blow after tearing her ACL during USC’s second-round game against Mississippi State this week.

The American guard was attempting to score points for her team when her right knee buckled, leaving her in tears on the court. The 19-year-old remained on the ground for some time before being carried to the locker room, visibly upset. Despite this setback, her team defeated Mississippi 96-59, advancing to the Sweet 16 playoffs stage.

Here, we have compiled all the latest WNBA news, including a message of support for Watkins from a basketball legend who expressed her heartbreak over Watkins’ injury.

WNBA icon sends JuJu Watkins support

WNBA icon Lisa Leslie has extended heartfelt support to promising basketball talent JuJu Watkins after the teenager suffered a devastating ACL injury during her March Madness game. The USC guard was in action against Mississippi State when she collapsed on the court as her right knee buckled.

The 19-year-old star will be out for the remainder of the season and faces surgery to repair the damage, a turn of events that deeply disappointed Leslie. The acclaimed former College Player of the Year expressed her sympathy on social media early Tuesday, declaring her devastation and calling for prayers for Watkins’ recovery and a strong team effort in her absence.

Leslie shared her thoughts: “My heart is broken. I will keep you in my prayers JuJu Watkins. I know you will be back stronger and better! ! Fight On @USCWBB for Juju.”

Watkins has dazzled the college basketball scene in her initial two seasons, securing the Big Ten Player of the Year award among other first-team All-American and All-Big Ten honours. Her untimely exit is a significant blow for USC’s progression, but Leslie is not alone in her sentiments; the wider WNBA community has also expressed grief over the setback.

Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, an ex-LSU standout, wrote on social media: “Prayers for Juju!”

Adding to the chorus supporting Watkins, LSU prodigy Flau’jae Johnson said: “I pray juju okay – hate to see it.”

WNBA player Dearica Hamby then criticised ESPN’s coverage of Watkins’ injury, saying the camera crew was insensitive for zooming in on the athlete as she lay on the floor in pain. Hamby said: “CAMERA PPL, STOP HOVERING OVER PLAYERS WHEN THEY ARE IN PAIN!!!!!”

Caitlin Clark’s true character revealed on Netflix

Caitlin Clark revealed her ultra-competitive nature has been evident since childhood, even ruining a family holiday with her antics. In an interview with David Letterman on the Netflix show ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction’, the 23-year-old confessed she constantly tried to one-up her older brothers, Blake and Colin, in everything.

Clark said: “I always wanted to be like my older brother. I learned to ride my bike at maybe like three years old without training wheels, maybe four years old.

“But that was only because my older brother learned that day. And I was like, mom, dad, take mine off right now. I’m learning. And I did.”

Letterman observed that Clark’s intense competitiveness was likely the key to her success in the WNBA, as he said: “That encapsulates what I know of you as a human being. It’s that competitive drive that overrides every little daily occurrence.

“Am I right about that?”

Clark then confessed that her fierce competitive spirit sometimes causes friction at home. She said: “When I’m just playing a casual card game with my family or my friends, and then everybody hates me by the end of the night. And I’m like, oh, great. I ruined Christmas. I won’t do that this year, though.”

Flau’jae Johnson’s true feelings on WNBA Draft

Flau’jae Johnson remains coy about her WNBA Draft plans. Though eligible for the 2025 Draft as she turns 22 years old in November, the standout shooting guard from LSU is keeping her cards close to her chest.

While answering questions on whether she’ll make the leap, Johnson told The Advocate: “I haven’t really thought about the draft.

“Kind of just focusing on trying to win this championship. I’m just waiting on God to tell me what to do, for real. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s a lot of factors. A lot of family factors. But like I said, it’s gonna come time to make a decision.”

Colin Cowherd’s thoughts on Caitlin Clark

Sports commentator Colin Cowherd has voiced his frustration over the WNBA’s lack of initiative in promoting newcomer Caitlin Clark, who has rapidly become the league’s standout attraction since her debut with the Fever in 2024.

Cowherd took to his podcast ‘The Herd’ to stress that the WNBA missed a trick by not highlighting Clark more to TV networks. He suggested they should’ve crafted a bespoke broadcast deal for her games, following her dazzling performances that have significantly boosted viewership.

According to Sports Business Journal, ESPN saw a considerable upswing in viewers, from 440,000 to an impressive 1.2 million last season, thanks in part to what many dub the ‘Caitlin Clark effect’. The 23-year-old has drawn legions of new followers to the sport, leaving an indelible mark after her time with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Cowherd firmly believes that the WNBA should have presented Clark as a separate entity to television partners, outlining a distinct package centred on the young star’s matches. The 61-year-old said: “If I was the WNBA, I would have considered a separate television package to a network on just Caitlin Clark games.”

“I would have had two packages, the WNBA package and then a separate, let’s say 15-to-18 game Caitlin Clark package. It could be HBO, it could be FOX, it could be anybody. I would have sold a separate Caitlin Clark package.”

Despite the intrigue such a unique approach could generate, Cowherd’s proposal may stir controversy among other players who may wish for equal prominence within the league’s marketing strategies.