JuJu Watkins and how being from Los Angeles may hurt her in her goal to surpass Caitlin Clark
Watkins has stolen the spotlight with her remarkable achievements
Juju WatkinsLAPRESSE
As Caitlin Clark transitions from a record-setting NCAA career to making waves in the WNBA, the search for the next generational talent in women’s basketball intensifies. Among the standout contenders is USC’s JuJu Watkins, whose remarkable achievements and electrifying playstyle have captured national attention.
On the latest episode of Fearless with Jason Whitlock, Whitlock highlighted the contrasting environments that shaped the rise of Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins.
“Well, Caitlin Clark was in Iowa in the middle of nowhere,” Whitlock explained.
“She wasn’t in the entertainment capital of the world. She wasn’t in a city that had 75-degree weather year-round and open beaches. She grew up in and continued to play in a little isolated area of the country where people are starved for entertainment. And so, she built a huge following right there in the state of Iowa, her home state.”
Clark‘s basketball-centric environment in Iowa offered a singular focus and rabid local support that fueled her rise to stardom.
In contrast, Watkins competes for attention in Los Angeles, where the allure of beaches, Hollywood, and a saturated entertainment landscape present unique distractions. This fragmented focus could impact her ability to cultivate the same level of national adoration that Clark commanded.
Record-Breaking talent
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Despite these challenges, Watkins‘ talent is undeniable. She recently became the fastest Power Five player in women’s college basketball history to reach 1,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 38 games-two fewer than Clark.
With season averages of 24.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field, Watkins’ dominance on the court is unquestionable. Her ability to shine in high-pressure moments underscores her potential to become a transformative player in women’s basketball.
WNBA fans defend Caitlin Clark after losing AP votes to controversial Olympic boxer
Clark’s groundbreaking season earns her AP Female Athlete of the Year, but critics question the panel’s voting choices
WNBA Fans Slam AP Panel After Caitlin Clark Loses Votes to Gender-Debate BoxerLAPRESSE
Caitlin Clark’s stellar debut WNBA season earned her the Associated Press (AP) Rookie of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year honors in 2024. While the latter accolade was expected after Clark’s meteoric rise, it wasn’t without controversy, as a few votes went to other athletes, including Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif, whose Paris Olympics performance stirred public debate.
Clark secured 35 of the 74 votes from AP journalists, while Biles received 25. Khelif placed third with four votes, despite widespread criticism surrounding her inclusion in the voting due to controversies related to gender debates during her Olympic run. The voting sparked a passionate response from WNBA fans, many of whom took to social media to defend Clark’s win and criticize the panel’s decisions.
Caitlin Clark has a joyful response when she signs autographs for her youngest fans ever
“Khelif getting any votes is absurd,” one fan wrote, referencing the backlash surrounding Khelif’s participation in women’s boxing. Others expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of the votes, with one quipping, “Must’ve been Caitlin Clark’s ‘privilege’ that got her named Female Athlete of the Year-because dominating the court and redefining women’s basketball isn’t enough anymore.”
