The reign of Caitlin Clark atop the women's college basketball world may be shorter than anticipated. USC sophomore JuJu Watkins is rapidly approaching many of Clark's seemingly untouchable records set during her time at Iowa.
While Clark holds the combined men's and women's record for career points with 3,951, Watkins, at just 19 years old, is on a trajectory to potentially eclipse this mark. With 1,142 points in just 38 games, Watkins reached the 1,000-point milestone two games faster than Clark, and has maintained a higher scoring pace ever since.
Watkins also shows promise in surpassing Clark's total field goals. Her impressive 301 field goals as a freshman significantly outpaced Clark's 266. Currently leading the NCAA with a .476 field goal percentage, Watkins demonstrates a scoring prowess that could redefine collegiate records. However, it's worth noting she is only eight games into the season.
Their playing styles differ significantly. While Clark is renowned for her exceptional 3-point shooting, holding the NCAA all-time record, Watkins dominates inside the arc, excelling at paint finishes. As a freshman, Watkins scored the majority of her 920 points on 553 two-point shots, significantly more than Clark's single-season high of 359.
Watkins' aggressive inside game also translates to frequent trips to the free-throw line. Leading the nation with 45 free throws this season, after making a remarkable 241 as a freshman, she surpasses Clark's best single-season mark of 239. Additionally, Watkins' defensive skills shine, leading the country with 22 steals through eight games, a pace far exceeding Clark's single-season high of 68.
However, Clark’s dominance in assists, leading the nation every year of her college career, remains a significant gap. Watkins' 112 assists as a freshman are dwarfed by Clark’s 214.
Raised in Los Angeles, Watkins cites LeBron James as her sporting hero. Like James, she has represented the U.S. in international competitions, winning gold medals at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. This contrasts with Clark's notable omission from the recent U.S. Olympic team.
Watkins will be eligible for the WNBA draft in 2027, potentially facing Clark, who would be in her fourth professional season. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could see them as teammates, a compelling storyline considering Clark's previous Olympic snub and Watkins’ Los Angeles roots.
