The UCLA Bruins, long undefeated and storming through the season, finally tasted defeat on Thursday night. The cause? JuJu Watkins. Like a buzzer-beater at the end of the game, her dominant performance served as the catalyst for ending UCLA’s 23-0 run, a feat that no team could achieve this season. Her 38-point performance led Southern California to a thrilling 71-60 win, and in the process, added fuel to an already fiery comparison to one of college basketball’s greatest players, Caitlin Clark. The question is now not if Watkins will rewrite the record books, but when.
Fans are already making the comparison, and it’s hard to ignore. “Juju Watkins is gonna break Caitlin Clark’s record when she is done. FIGHT ON!!!” one fan wrote, a sentiment shared by many. Watkins, for her part, respects the Iowa star’s legacy, praising Clark’s skill and character. “Great player, good person as well, she’s been great, and I’m really excited for her at this next stage in her career,” said Watkins.
Juju Watkins is gonna break Caitlin Clark’s record when she is done FIGHT ON!!!
— Art García (@21AGM) February 14, 2025
But when it comes to her own career, JuJu is making waves. Just four games into her sophomore year, Watkins broke Clark’s record, becoming the fastest Power Five player in college basketball history to reach 1,000 career points. Watkins did so in just 38 games, surpassing Clark’s 40-game mark.
More to follow…
The post Caitlin Clark Comparison Mounts for Juju Watkins After USC Star’s Dominating Performance Ends No.1 UCLA Unbeaten Run appeared first on EssentiallySports.