USC sophomore women’s basketball standout JuJu Watkins has made waves in the sports world by extending her partnership with Nike and securing a new deal with Gatorade.
Watkins, who first made headlines as part of Nike’s inaugural name, image, and likeness (NIL) class in 2022 while attending Sierra Canyon School, now boasts one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball history.
The extension was negotiated by Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, along with Watkins’ agent, Jade-Li English.
In addition to her Nike deal, Watkins has signed an NIL partnership with Gatorade, joining a prestigious roster that includes UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark.
As part of her agreement with Gatorade, Watkins will be featured in various marketing campaigns, further enhancing her visibility and influence in the sports industry.
“Gatorade has been a part of my life for years, especially after being named the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2023, so I’m excited to officially be a member of the family,” Watkins expressed.
Last season, Watkins set the women’s college basketball scene ablaze, breaking the all-time freshman scoring record in NCAA Division I history with a staggering 920 points. Averaging 27.1 points per game, she ranked second nationally, only behind Caitlin Clark. Watkins played a pivotal role in leading the USC Lady Trojans to a Pac-12 tournament title and an Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
With the upcoming women’s college basketball season on the horizon, JuJu Watkins is poised to be one of the most talked-about players.
Already recognized as the Preseason Player of the Year by the Associated Press, her scoring prowess and playmaking ability will be on full display as USC transitions into the new-look Big Ten Conference.
