What is JuJu Watkins' reputation in the media?

JuJu Watkins reveals that she maintains a goal in the back of her thoughts.

It is statistically feasible for her to break the NCAA all-time scoring record, currently held by Caitlin Clark.

""I always keep the goal of producing at this level efficiently in the back of my mind," Watkins said in an exclusive interview with Planet Chronicle Digital."

On Wednesday night, Watkins played her 50th game of college basketball and scored 74 points in a win over Maryland, bringing her career total to 1,318 points. Clark, on the other hand, had scored 1,328 points in her first 50 games. Although Watkins had been outpacing Clark in career scoring after a 40-point game against California Baptist on Dec. 3, she slowed down over the next eight games compared to the same stretch in Clark's sophomore season.

With an expanded Big 10, Still, Watkins may have more opportunities to play games and participate in postseason tournaments than Clark did.

Despite her competitive pace, Watkins only "wishes" she could shoot like Clark, who is significantly better at 3-point shooting.

"I wish I played like her," Watkins said.

Watkins has the chance to win the national championship game in college, something Clark never achieved. This opportunity could come as early as March, as Watkins' squad has a 15-1 start and a top-four national ranking. However, they must first defeat rival No. 1 UCLA, who is currently undefeated and has two matchups left against Watkins.

Whether Clark's direct interference influences Watkins' decision to do anything is uncertain. At some point this season or in the future, Watkins can ask Clark a question.

"Watkins recounts meeting her once and how she offered her number, stating that she would answer any questions he had in the future."

When she reaches out, Watkins added, "It will probably just be a spur of the moment type of thing."

At 19 years old, Watkins has already been recognized as a subcultural icon, and there will be plenty of questions to ask when the time comes. It may not even be related to playing basketball.

In Southern California, she has a devoted and noticeable fan base, and has emerged as the top player in the college game after Clark left for the pros.

During her first road trip to the East Coast as a player in the Big Ten Conference for USC's inaugural season, Watkins led a 50-point blowout win against a Rutgers team struggling with the absence of a star player. Despite the team's poor performance, the entire crowd remained captivated by Watkins' impressive play.

In Maryland on Thursday, she scored 21 points before being disqualified from the game, defeating an unbeaten top-10 team in front of a passionate crowd of her own fans, while a national audience watched on Fox Sports.

"Seeing the eyes on the sport and people respecting it more, as well as young girls getting into the sport, is a dream come true for me, and I thank Clark for bringing the attention," Watkins stated.

Along the way, Watkins' dream had plenty of harder moments before it was playing in front of home court-type away crowds thousands of miles from home.

In high school, an intense workout by NBA star Draymond Green caused Watkins to vomit.

During the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020, Watkins, a sophomore in high school, struggled with the lifestyle restrictions and felt out of shape.

"I was extremely out of shape," Watkins stated.

So Golden State Warriors player Draymond Greene came knocking with a workout offer.

"I will never forget it," Watkins said of the experience.

Green's workout had her dribble up and down a court and shoot the ball over and over again until she threw up, according to Watkins.

"I was finished," Watkins stated, revealing that she did not communicate with him after the exercise session. "Honestly, I don't think I could utter a word."

In February, during an episode of his podcast, Green discussed this workout with Watkins.

"It's not your typical NBA workout," Green said.

"You went to shoot some spots and then went to the next like we did, and she came to our workout on the first day. You could tell her skill was there, but she was struggling to get through the workout a bit. You knew I was pushing her, saying "Come on Ju, you got it, come on!""

Watkins, unlike other athletes, returned for more punishment the next day after his first session, as Green had seen.

I've witnessed NBA players vomit during my workouts, not return, and various other types. However, she came back the next day, and I thought to myself, 'That young lady has a bright future in this game.'

What happened next?

Despite the pandemic crisis, Watkins had a standout sophomore season and was named Sports Illustrated Kids' SportsKid of the Year in 2020. Her reputation grew, and she went on to win the Gatorade National Player of the Year and Naismith Prep Player of the Year awards. As a result, she became the top-rated college recruit in 2022.

She surprised the country when she declined an invitation to join Dawn Staley's team at South Carolina, opting instead to remain in Los Angeles and compete for USC.

Then came what she calls the hardest experience of her life.

"The transition from high school to college and adapting to the demanding schedule was a significant adjustment for me. It was a major change that gave me a fresh perspective on life."

Although Watkins did not provide much detail about the adjustment, the data indicates that she made the necessary changes in time for the start of her first season. She quickly got on track to possibly surpass Clark's record with a remarkable freshman year and has continued to do so ever since.

Generations after her ancestor, a notable labor rights leader, Watkins aims to ensure that modern players receive greater benefits from the game.

Women's basketball is experiencing a period of growth, and players like Watkins are diligent in maintaining leverage as they negotiate their dues, rights, and privileges from the WNBA and NCAA.

"Advocating for our rights is crucial, especially in this field as women, where true change lies in expressing our opinions and altering what doesn't align with us."

The WNBPA is taking the league back to the negotiating table after the league provided charter flights for WNBA players for the first time in 2024. The union voted to opt out of its current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in October, and the league could see a work stoppage if a new deal is not met by the end of the 2025 season.

The upcoming CBA negotiation will determine the rights and benefits that Watkins will receive as a player when she joins the WNBA in 2027 or later. Therefore, she is urging the union to secure the best possible deal, especially after the long wait for charter flights.

"Charter flights were long overdue, according to Watkins. These women, who work so hard, deserved the least they could get, which was chartered flights to their games."

Watkins' passion for this is rooted in her family legacy. Her great-grandfather, Ted Watkins, founded the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) in 1965, just months before the infamous "Watts Rebellion," also known as the "Watts Uprising" and "Watts Riots." This incident saw thousands of residents in the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles riot out of anger over issues that included employment discrimination and poverty.

According to the WLCAC website, after the riots, Ted organized the youth to clean up vacant lots, plant grass and flowers, and turn them into small parks.

As a community self-help agency, Ted Watkins' committee helped thousands of residents gain employment and access to essential services. He was also involved in the construction of a financial institution and hospital in Watts, as well as the development of low-income housing and youth programs.

JuJu stated that his great-grandfather is a significant member of their family and serves as a role model for him to look up to in Watts and for many others.

She recognizes the significance of expanding the sport to benefit all players.

The WNBA has not been profitable in a single season in its history.

The league's best chance to change its image may come with Clark's arrival in 2024, but her arrival has also sparked controversy and criticism from WNBA veterans and former players.

Clark's attention brought spoils to the college game, and Watkins is ready to embrace it all.

"Clark has significantly altered the course of the sport, in my opinion," Watkins stated.

Watkins aims to surpass Clark's record and hopes that even the fans who give her "headaches" and "don't know what they're talking about sometimes" will support her. However, she will also welcome those who "hate" her and the attention that comes with it.

"I love supporters and I also love haters."

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