- Indiana Fever. Caitlin Clark sends her critics a message on one of the most important days of her career: "I really don't care"
- NCAA. Is Paige Buecker's No. 1 WNBA draft status in jeopardy? UConn star takes a hit after loss to JuJu Watkins' USC
Caitlin Clark may be the brightest name in the WNBA, but even she has to it-JuJu Watkins is terrifying. As the Indiana Fever rookie watched her former team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, take on USC, she couldn't help but marvel at Watkins' talent.
In fact, Clark had one thing to say about the rising star's inevitable arrival in the WNBA: "It's scary to think about." Clark, who had her iconic No. 22 jersey retired in front of a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena, had nothing but praise for Watkins, who nearly stole the show.
The USC sophomore put on an electrifying performance, scoring 27 points-including the Trojans' final 10-before Iowa ultimately pulled off a hard-fought 76-69 win.
The record-breaking Fever guard has long been aware of Watkins' potential, even offering her words of encouragement in the past. "I had this attention for a year and a half, two years, and you're going to have it for the next three," Clark told her before.
JuJu's talent speaks for itself
Now, it's all playing out in real time, with Watkins not only dominating the college scene but also breaking some of Clark's own records along the way. After the game, Clark acknowledged Watkins' growing dominance.
"I've talked to JuJu a little bit. Obviously, I kind of watch from a distance. But honestly, more than anything, I just try to be ive," she said. "She doesn't need my help. She's obviously really talented-her game speaks for itself."
That talent was on full display against Iowa, as Watkins battled through the Hawkeyes' raucous home crowd, sinking clutch shots and getting to the free-throw line with ease.
Not even Watkins could counteract the Clark effect
Clark, watching from the stands, recognized that momentum shift all too well. "As a player, there's nothing better than seeing the ball go through the rim. It just gives you confidence," she said. "She got to the free-throw line. That's huge."
Despite Watkins' efforts, Iowa refused to let Clark's big night end in disappointment, securing their biggest win of the post-Clark era. But if anyone thought Caitlin Clark was the last of women's basketball's next-generation superstars, she just gave them a reality check-JuJu Watkins is coming, and even she's a little afraid of what's next.