Sharpshooting senior Iowa Hawkeyes point guard Caitlin Clark is currently considered the best player in women’s college basketball, but freshman shooting guard JuJu Watkins at USC is already being hailed as the Next Big Thing once upperclassmen like Clark, UConn point guard Paige Bueckers, and Stanford combo forward Cameron Brink move on to the next phase of their careers. During a recent episode of the Nightcap podcast, cohosts Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas compared Clark and Watkins, with Arenas expressing the opinion that Watkins would outshine Clark if they were to face off in a matchup.
Despite having an extra year of NCAA eligibility, Clark has decided to leave school and enter the WNBA draft this year. She is expected to be the top pick for the Indiana Fever. Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas believe that if Watkins were also eligible for the draft, the Fever would regret choosing Clark over her. They argue that Watkins’ athleticism and defensive skills would give her an edge over Clark in a head-to-head matchup. While they play different positions, Watkins is known as USC’s best perimeter defender, potentially setting up an interesting showdown if the two teams were to meet in the Final Four.
Iowa, the No. 1 seed in their region, is set to face the No. 5-seeded Colorado Buffaloes, while USC, also a top seed, will take on the No. 5-seeded Baylor. If both teams win their upcoming matchups, they would meet in the Final Four for a chance to advance to the Championship. Sharpe and Arenas believe that a matchup between Clark and Watkins would be intriguing to watch, with Watkins’ defensive prowess posing a challenge for Clark’s offensive skills. Should USC and Iowa progress to the Final Four, fans can expect a competitive and star-studded clash between the two young talents.
Overall, the comparison between Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins highlights the exciting transition happening in women’s college basketball, with new talents emerging to take the spotlight from established stars. Both players have garnered attention for their skills and potential in the sport, setting the stage for a potential showdown if their teams meet in the Final Four. While Clark currently holds the title of the best player in college basketball, Watkins is already being touted as a rising star who could shake up the landscape of the sport in the coming years. As fans eagerly await their potential matchup, the future of women’s basketball looks bright with these promising young talents leading the way.
