JuJu Watkins Hasn’t Reached Out to Caitlin Clark Yet — But Says ‘It Means a Lot’ WNBA Star Offered Advice (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

USC basketball starJuJu Watkinsis getting ready for her second March Madness tournament.And last week, as the 19-year-old sophomore prepared along with her team for the big dance, Watkins' coach Lindsay Gottliebrevealedthat WNBA starCaitlin Clarkoffered to “help her navigate” college basketball stardom.Watkins — who already surpassed Clark in point totals through their sophomore seasons — tells PEOPLE it “means a lot” to have Clark’s support.“I haven’t yet reached out,” says Watkins, while speaking about her newpartnership with Degree. “Maybe. I mean, just to know that I have that support, it means a lot.“The USC basketball star adds that she’s a “big fan of” Clark’s and she’s enjoyed seeing the Indiana Fever guard “killing it” in her first WNBA season. “I’m always proud and cheering her on,” says Watkins.“She’s just a super dope person and for her to do that, that means a lot,” she says of Clark’s offer. “But I haven’t reached out yet.“Juju Watkins (L); Caitlin Clark.Frazer Harrison/Getty; Alex Slitz/GettyWatkins notes that coach Gottlieb is “one of the main reasons” she plays for USC. “Just because she’s so honest and she doesn’t sugarcoat things with me,” she says. “We’re super tight.“And although Watkins is close to breaking additional NCAA records, she says the team “definitely comes first and everything else after.“USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) looks on during a women’s college basketball game on March 1, 2025, at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA.Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via GettyWatkins has little time between basketball, school and business these days. But it’s not all work — the college athlete says she recently found time to attend a Tyler, the Creator concert. “I’ve been a long time fan,” she says of the rapper.In addition to partnerships withNikeandNyx, she’s now the face of Degree deodorant, a brand she says is “part of my everyday routine” and one that aligns with her values. “It was an authentic decision process…I was eager to do it, especially knowing their investment in women’s sports,” says Watkins.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Needing deodorant? Relatable. Breaking NCAA basketball records? Not so much. Still, Watkins says she’s a pretty normal college kid at the end of the day. “I like to be home a lot…I like to just chill on the couch,” says Watkins,a new dog momto a Frenchie.“I’m a big show person,” says Watkins. These days, she’s enjoyingSeveranceon Apple+ and though she’s “not the biggest fan” of the third season of HBO’sThe White Lotus,she’s still tuning in.

USC basketball starJuJu Watkinsis getting ready for her second March Madness tournament.

And last week, as the 19-year-old sophomore prepared along with her team for the big dance, Watkins' coach Lindsay Gottliebrevealedthat WNBA starCaitlin Clarkoffered to “help her navigate” college basketball stardom.

Watkins — who already surpassed Clark in point totals through their sophomore seasons — tells PEOPLE it “means a lot” to have Clark’s support.

“I haven’t yet reached out,” says Watkins, while speaking about her newpartnership with Degree. “Maybe. I mean, just to know that I have that support, it means a lot.”

The USC basketball star adds that she’s a “big fan of” Clark’s and she’s enjoyed seeing the Indiana Fever guard “killing it” in her first WNBA season. “I’m always proud and cheering her on,” says Watkins.

“She’s just a super dope person and for her to do that, that means a lot,” she says of Clark’s offer. “But I haven’t reached out yet.”

Juju Watkins (L); Caitlin Clark.Frazer Harrison/Getty; Alex Slitz/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty; Alex Slitz/Getty

Watkins notes that coach Gottlieb is “one of the main reasons” she plays for USC. “Just because she’s so honest and she doesn’t sugarcoat things with me,” she says. “We’re super tight.”

And although Watkins is close to breaking additional NCAA records, she says the team “definitely comes first and everything else after.”

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) looks on during a women’s college basketball game on March 1, 2025, at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA.Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Watkins has little time between basketball, school and business these days. But it’s not all work — the college athlete says she recently found time to attend a Tyler, the Creator concert. “I’ve been a long time fan,” she says of the rapper.

In addition to partnerships withNikeandNyx, she’s now the face of Degree deodorant, a brand she says is “part of my everyday routine” and one that aligns with her values. “It was an authentic decision process…I was eager to do it, especially knowing their investment in women’s sports,” says Watkins.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Needing deodorant? Relatable. Breaking NCAA basketball records? Not so much. Still, Watkins says she’s a pretty normal college kid at the end of the day. “I like to be home a lot…I like to just chill on the couch,” says Watkins,a new dog momto a Frenchie.

“I’m a big show person,” says Watkins. These days, she’s enjoyingSeveranceon Apple+ and though she’s “not the biggest fan” of the third season of HBO’sThe White Lotus,she’s still tuning in.

source: people.com