Caitlin Clark makes classy gesture to college prodigy who could be threat to WNBA throne

Caitlin Clark has already established herself as the face of the WNBA, with the Indiana Fever guard dominating in her debut season in the professional ranks

Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s shining star, has extended a classy gesture towards up-and-coming basketball sensation Juju Watkins, who might just be a contender for Clark’s throne. Clark has been nothing short of a revelation in the WNBA this season, skyrocketing the league’s popularity with her electrifying performances.

Since making her professional splash with the Indiana Fever, viewership, ticket sales, and merchandise have soared, and she’s effortlessly clinched the Rookie of the Year award, missing just one vote out of 67 from the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Everyone’s caught up in “Clark mania,” but now the spotlight is shifting to who could be the next Clark, with Juju Watkins firmly in that mix.

Despite Watkins only starting her college basketball journey last year, she’s already being hailed as the next big thing, with WNBA icon Clark herself cheering her on. Recalling a heartwarming exchange between the two, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb shared with Orange County Register: “She [Clark to Watkins] was like, ‘I had the attention for a year and a half, two years. You’re going to have it for the next three.”

It’s a bold statement from Clark, yet Watkins has lived up to the hype so far. Watkins, at 19, even expressed gratitude towards Clark in a recent interview, acknowledging how Clark’s advice has helped her navigate the pressures of fame. Watkins praised Clark, saying: “She’s great. Goes to show how good a person she is outside of basketball..

“To have that kind of mentorship and that relationship with her, it definitely means a lot. She’s had the biggest impact on women’s basketball and being able to see her journey is really inspiring.”

Juju Watkins is the latest college star making waves in the States

While Watkins has set her sights on the WNBA, there’s some waiting to do since her anticipated entrance isn’t until a few seasons away. Yet, in the meantime, the buzz around her future team is mounting.

After an early playoff exit this year, Indiana Fever fans—and critics—are eager to see if the predictions of ESPNS’s fourth-place power ranking will come to fruition next season.

The WNBA’s 2025 season, set to start in April, has everyone eagerly anticipating whether Clark can continue wowing fans with performances like those seen in her debut campaign.