USC sophomore star guard JuJu Watkins continues to make history, as it was reported that she is set to sign one of the most lucrative shoe deals with athletic brand Nike. Watkins has been with Nike since her senior year of high school in 2022. The deal was finalized with the help of her agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, agent Jade Li-English, and Nike’s vice president of basketball marketing, Brittany McCallum.
Watkins’ new deal solidifies Nike’s roster of influential women’s basketball players, and the Southern California native is poised to break even more records as she enters her second year at USC. Last season, Watkins averaged 27 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, earning her All-American and All-Pac 12 honors. She was also the conference’s leading scorer and selected for the NCAA’s All-Regional team.
This agreement will go down as one of the most significant deals in Nike history for a female athlete, with the official signing expected on Thursday, marking the two-year anniversary of her original contract with the brand. As this year’s Associated Press Preseason Player of the Year, Watkins has her sights set on making her first Final Four after falling short to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight last season.
The Trojans have added three five-star recruits from the 2024 class to support their star player. Chino Hills wing Kennedy Smith will provide complementary scoring alongside Watkins. New York guard Kayleigh Heckel, with her own elite scoring ability, will help ease the ball-handling responsibilities. California guard Avery Howell rounds out the new additions, making this USC squad deep and talented as they head into the season.
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