If Juju Watkins’ gruesome knee injury has proven anything, it’s just how big of a star the Trojan guard is in the hoops world. In Elle Duncan’s words, “I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say this not only changed the tenor of this game, but potentially the tournament.” Yes, a 19-year-old has held the ability to define the game that largely. Kim Mulkey could add to it further. But could this very factor affect the story that’s brewing on the side? One involving the star NFL quarterback?
Jayden Daniels, the 2024 offensive ROTY, became a talk of the hoops community when he made a courtside appearance to support USC Trojans in the Round of 64. Maybe it would have passed without much notice had JuJu Watkins not been seen sitting alongside him. In the clips that have swarmed social media, the two rising stars can be seen comfortable, engaged in a lighthearted conversation, sparking speculations of a romantic connection. But there’s more that elevated the instance. Regina Jackson showed up.
Daniels’ mom who doubles as his agent, was seen taking the seat between the two young talents in the minutes that followed. She looked to have just put an end to that interaction. Fans had a field day with the guesses, and the crew of Club 520 Podcast wasn’t missing out.
“Did y’all see JD? He was sitting by JuJu, the next thing you see his mom sitting in between them,” Jeff Teague asked his fellow co-hosts. To this, Bishop B Henn quipped, “yeah, that’s Miss Teague!” cracking up soon after. But the former Atlanta Hawks star wasn’t having it. Blank-faced, as if condemning Jackson’s actions, he dismissed the comparison, saying, “my mom would never.” For good or worse, Daniels wouldn’t relate to that.
On Prime Video’s The Money Game, Regina Jackson outright stated that her biggest hesitation about her son’s shift to the NFL is women. “Girls. Them girls,” she’d say. “Some girl out here, she’s got a Jayden Daniels wall and her mama says, ‘Hey honey, you’re going to the be the one to get ‘em.’ And I know that sounds crazy, but I guarantee there’s someone who’s trying to get their hooks into Jayden Daniels.” She added, “Thank God he got a mama like me because it ain’t happening.”
But even if Jackson let this one pass by, the crew on the Podcast got around to discussing dating a player who’s a bigger star than you. It started with Teague saying, “JuJu is a pretty girl, whatever it is, I don’t know if I could date a girl like her.” Before he added more, DJ Wells finished it for him, “a bigger star than you?” The debate went on for long. Per Wells, even Juju’s hairstyle is more popular than Daniels. And for the 2021 champion, Jayden is a QB who took Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship game.
But by the looks of it, neither Juju, nor Jayden Daniels is worried about the popularity of the other. Both of them are Southern California natives, are on Nike’s roster, and the NFL star also is a fan of the game, having attended Lakers game and making his excitement known about Luka Doncic trade. Daniels was reportedly at the USC vs UCLA game too previously. The boxes tick, but the complete story remains unknown.
Juju, though, has elsewhere to focus on for now. And yes, DJ Wells, she is indeed the elite in her game.
JuJu Watkins faces hard next, basketball greats rally in support
In the first quarter of play against Missisippi State, JuJu Watkins had to be carried off the hardwood floor. Her knee buckled after she got fouled during a double-team, and we got news that it’s an ACL tear. That means 6 months off the court for the 2024 Freshman of the Year. Watkins will be undergoing surgery and rehab in the months to follow.
She had been USC’s engine, averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists, making a solid case as the National Player of the Year frontrunner. In a season full of hopes, that was a heartbreaking end she’d wish upon no one. But here we are and LSU head coach Kim Mulkey is recognizing the impact. “(Watkins is) such a great ambassador of our game and that’s going to be the talk of the playoffs from here on,” she said on Tuesday.
Magic Johnson, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese were among a few others who sent in their prayers and messages of hope. USC head coach Lindsey Gottlieb is grateful for whatever support her star player is receiving. “To see this place rally behind her, I hope she can at some point see just the significance that she has here that goes so far beyond just her talent and abilities,” she said. “That’s what’s really generational about it.”
Juju ends her sophomore season as fifth highest scorer in the nation and having made it as one of four finalists for the Naismith National Player of the Year. Definitely more in store for the young talent. Jack Daniels-wise? We await.
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