JuJu Watkins & her Career Points projection (it's gonna be close)

[Franisdaman]

JuJu played in 34 of USC's 35 games this season. She averaged 27.1 ppg. USC finished their season at 29-6.

Will her scoring average go up over the next 3 years like what happened with Caitlin? Who knows.

The most games USC could have played this year is 37.

Assuming USC plays, on average, 36 games a year over her 4 years (being generous, I know), that would be 144 career games (Friday is Caitlin's 138th career game).

144 games x 27.1 ppg (her current average) = 3,903 projected points after 4 years.

Caitlin currently is at 3,900.

 

[luvmyhawks]

Don’t you have to assume her average will go up each year? What.was Caitlin’s average per game her first year? Assuming juju plays 4 years and doesn’t have any major injuries, I think it is likely she will beat Caitlin’s record.

 

[the24fan]

She has a chance for sure but no way she will do it as exciting as Clark has done it. Can’t imagine her selling out arenas around the country or hitting logo 3’s to win last second games .
There won’t be another CC for a VERY long time

 

[ddeanHawk]

She has a chance for sure but no way she will do it as exciting as Clark has done it. Can’t imagine her selling out arenas around the country or hitting logo 3’s to win last second games .
There won’t be another CC for a VERY long time

Probably never

 

[Franisdaman]

Don’t you have to assume her average will go up each year? What.was Caitlin’s average per game her first year? Assuming juju plays 4 years and doesn’t have any major injuries, I think it is likely she will beat Caitlin’s record.

Losing 8 games due to covid her first 2 seasons unfortunately impacted Caitlin's numbers.

Year: Points Scored
2021: 799 (30 games).................26.6 ppg
2022: 863 (32 games)..................27.0 ppg
2023: 1,055 (38 games)...............27.8 ppg
2024: 1,183 (37 games)................32.0 ppg

 

[Hawksfor3]

JuJu played in 34 of USC's 35 games this season. She averaged 27.1 ppg. USC finished their season at 29-6.

Will her scoring average go up over the next 3 years like what happened with Caitlin? Who knows.

The most games USC could have played this year is 37.

Assuming USC plays, on average, 36 games a year over her 4 years (being generous, I know), that would be 144 career games (Friday is Caitlin's 138th career game).

144 games x 27.1 ppg (her current average) = 3,903 projected points after 4 years.

Caitlin currently is at 3,900.

In CC's first year she scored 799 points in 30 games. JuJu's first year is 920 in 34 games. Insane lol.

 

[Franisdaman]

Caitlin had a grand total of 8 games lost:

* She lost 6 games her freshmen year (covid shortened season)

* She lost 2 games her sophomore year (3 games were canceled but 1 game was added at the last minute)

27 ppg x those 8 games lost = 216 career points lost

 

[Franisdaman]

She has a chance for sure but no way she will do it as exciting as Clark has done it. Can’t imagine her selling out arenas around the country or hitting logo 3’s to win last second games .
There won’t be another CC for a VERY long time

imagine if CC had stayed one more year and USC came to town during conference play.

 

[HawkDCal]

I think her workload will go down the next few years due to the types of recruits they will get. Her efficiency will likely go up, but I don’t think it will be enough.

 

[icwesthawk]

She won't stay in school to get the record, IMHO. Going pro will be too big a draw

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Don’t you have to assume her average will go up each year? What.was Caitlin’s average per game her first year? Assuming juju plays 4 years and doesn’t have any major injuries, I think it is likely she will beat Caitlin’s record.

Depends if the WNBA takes off and salaries go up IMO.


If CC can have a Larry Bird/Magic effect on the game like they did with the NBA. (Some NBA finals games weren’t carried live before them)

Not a given but not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[Chuck C]

Don’t you have to assume her average will go up each year? What.was Caitlin’s average per game her first year? Assuming juju plays 4 years and doesn’t have any major injuries, I think it is likely she will beat Caitlin’s record.

Maybe. USC has the number 1 recruiting class in the country coming in next year. She’s averaging 22 shots a game right now. I think that volume goes down when more talent comes in around her. USC is called JuJu and the nerds right now because of the three graduate transfers that came over from the Ivy League.

 

[bunsen82]

Don’t you have to assume her average will go up each year? What.was Caitlin’s average per game her first year? Assuming juju plays 4 years and doesn’t have any major injuries, I think it is likely she will beat Caitlin’s record.

No definitely not an assumption. Injuries, other talented players taking more of the points - the physical desire to be one of the bests, physical changes, loss of quickness, speed agility (similar to Van Lith). Lots of reasons why a player would not maintain a scoring average of nearly 30 points for 4 straight years. The durability, opportunity, consistency, drive and determination of Clark as well as a lot of post season games is what allowed Clark to break the records.

 

[nu2u]

I think her workload will go down the next few years due the types of recruits they will get. Her efficiency will likely go up, but I don’t think it will be enough.

I tend to agree. USC has the #1 ranked recruiting class. Adding several top20 players to the roster next year will change the dynamics, perhaps not right away but these new players are prolific scorers also. USC's coach has a lot more mouths to feed next season.

Another factor is a move to the Big Ten IMO. Besides the more strenuous travel implications, it is my impression that most B10 schools play a more physical style than what you typically see in the PAC12.

 

[luvmyhawks]

Depends if the WNBA takes off and salaries go up IMO.


If CC can have a Larry Bird/Magic effect on the game like they did with the NBA. (Some NBA finals games weren’t carried live before them)

Not a given but not out of the realm of possibility.

No definitely not an assumption. Injuries, other talented players taking more of the points - the physical desire to be one of the bests, physical changes, loss of quickness, speed agility (similar to Van Lith). Lots of reasons why a player would not maintain a scoring average of nearly 30 points for 4 straight years. The durability, opportunity, consistency, drive and determination of Clark as well as a lot of post season games is what allowed Clark to break the records.

TBF, I did say assuming she plays 4 years and doesn't get injured. But yes, there are several factors that play into her breaking the record. The loaded incoming class is a good one. As is your point about her drive and determination. Maybe Juju has peaked. I don't know. I think she owes it to Caitlin to leave a year early and not break the record.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

It will take Juju a whole lot more shots to match CC. Her shooting percentages, outside of free throws, aren’t good at all.

 

[bunsen82]

TBF, I did say assuming she plays 4 years and doesn't get injured. But yes, there are several factors that play into her breaking the record. The loaded incoming class is a good one. As is your point about her drive and determination. Maybe Juju has peaked. I don't know. I think she owes it to Caitlin to leave a year early and not break the record.

Read the rules she can't. The WNBA draft has a requirement of Age 22. She is only 18. She has 3 more years.

 

[HawkMachine]

I had the game on last night in the office and watch bits and pieces.

I wasn't impressed at all.

 

[nu2u]

I had the game on last night in the office and watch bits and pieces.

I wasn't impressed at all.

I've seen several of her games. She has Clark's range and is a very good ballhandler but IMO she is looking to score first whereas Clark is more of a distributor. With the addition of several highly ranked teammates I think she will be forced to share the ball more going forward. Where I think Juju is exceptional is her ability to drive to the basket and score in traffic and/or physical contact.

 

[littlez]

I had the game on last night in the office and watch bits and pieces.

I wasn't impressed at all.

You should be. She’s a freaking Freshman. For others comparing her to Vsn Lith please stop. She’s 6-2. Van Lith 5-9 tops. Nowhere close athletically. Juju was also first team defender. PAC 12 was the best conference this year. Underachieved a bit during the tournament but at one point had 5 teams in the top 10 and had 5 teams in the sweet 16. Where did Caitlin take us as a Freshman? Clark the last 2 years has raised her game and also really grown up emotionally. That comes as you get older. I’m pretty impressed by Juju’s demeanor.

 

[amahawk]

Losing 8 games due to covid her first 2 seasons unfortunately impacted Caitlin's numbers.

Year: Points Scored
2021: 799 (30 games).................26.6 ppg
2022: 863 (32 games)..................27.0 ppg
2023: 1,055 (38 games)...............27.8 ppg
2024: 1,183 (37 games)................32.0 ppg

Does that mean Juju gets an asterisk?

 

[littlez]

Does that mean Juju gets an asterisk?

Also depends on how her team advances in the tournament over the next 3 years. But guessing they’ll do pretty well.

 

[nu2u]

Also depends on how her team advances in the tournament over the next 3 years. But guessing they’ll do pretty well.

...or a Molly Davis type injury which keeps her off the court for a good chunk of a season. It is a long way to the top of the career scoring list and many factors which could hinder her ascent. To be honest, if it plays out at USC as I anticipate and her scoring levels off or decreases, she could easily turbocharge her pursuit of the scoring record by transferring to a school where she would get 30 or more shots per game.

 

[littlez]

...or a Molly Davis type injury which keeps her off the court for a good chunk of a season. It is a long way to the top of the career scoring list and many factors which could hinder her ascent. To be honest, if it plays out at USC as I anticipate and her scoring levels off or decreases, she could easily turbocharge her pursuit of the scoring record by transferring to a school where she would get 30 or more shots per game.

They’ve got the number 1 recruiting class in the country coming in. Going to guess she’s not going anywhere.

 

[nu2u]

They’ve got the number 1 recruiting class in the country coming in. Going to guess she’s not going anywhere.

I agree. She impresses me as a person/player who wants to play for a national championship more than a setting a new scoring record. I cant wait to watch the future USC vs. Iowa games.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

there are several factors that play into her breaking the record. The loaded incoming class is a good one.

This right here could be her biggest stumbling block to eclipsing CC on the all-time scoring list...lots of incoming talent and only one ball.

 

[BioHawk]

JuJu played in 34 of USC's 35 games this season. She averaged 27.1 ppg. USC finished their season at 29-6.

Will her scoring average go up over the next 3 years like what happened with Caitlin? Who knows.

The most games USC could have played this year is 37.

Assuming USC plays, on average, 36 games a year over her 4 years (being generous, I know), that would be 144 career games (Friday is Caitlin's 138th career game).

144 games x 27.1 ppg (her current average) = 3,903 projected points after 4 years.

Caitlin currently is at 3,900.

I don't know how she can increase her points per game and USC win more games. I don't know what the average game was like against PAC 12 teams but with the crappy officiating she'll see in the Big 10 and how some teams just play foul em until they call em approach to defense it's hard to imagine it will get easier for her to increase her points totals and have the team's record improve. But she certainly could beat Caitlin's number.

 

[Franisdaman]

Does that mean Juju gets an asterisk?

According to Sheryl Swoopes, JuJu's numbers must stop at 138 (or 139, if Iowa wins on Friday) games.

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

Sorry, JuJu reminds me of Droopy.

 

[nu2u]

According to Sheryl Swoopes, JuJu's numbers must stop at 138 (or 139, if Iowa wins on Friday) games.

That's not what she said. Look, I'm no fan of Swoopes or what she had to say about CC and the scoring record but she mistakenly believed that Clark was playing her 5th year; she thought CC had an extra year to break the record. That's what she meant when she said the record should be broken in "the same amount of time" - number of years, not number of games.

 

[mikesright]

Its a long way to go, and injuries, her team, her coach are all going to impact her final numbers. Other teams will modify how they defend her as well. If she does break her records, I'll tip my hat.

Right now I'm not really seeing Juju as in the same stratosphere of Clark. At this point she is kind of a volume shooter by the looks of it. She doesn't really have the moves Caitlin has to get herself open one on one, and doesn't have the talent Caitlin has at being able to move herself in any direction and take a tough shot and consistently make it. She doesn't have the speed to get by elite defenders consistently. Juju is much bigger and can more consistently just shoot over smaller players that guard her, and she is a good defender as well. Not nearly the passer Clark is, better rebounder though.

Kind of a weird comparison, offense definitely goes thru JuJu as she is the only player on that squad who can get her shot off consistently, but I see her more as a point forward right now, probably evolving into more of a wing. We'll see how she develops this offseason - sky is the limit, Clark's talents definitely matured her Jr and Sr years.

 

[Franisdaman]

That's not what she said. Look, I'm no fan of Swoopes or what she had to say about CC and the scoring record but she mistakenly believed that Clark was playing her 5th year; she thought CC had an extra year to break the record. That's what she meant when she said the record should be broken in "the same amount of time" - number of years, not number of games.

At the 1:20 mark she said if you are talking about records, you should compare the same amount of time.

You are right; she never said the same number of games; she said same number of years.

Too bad she didn't educate herself more about covid and that CC lost a total of 8 games due to covid.

 

[nu2u]

Too bad she didn't educate herself more about covid and that CC lost a total of 8 games due to covid.

IMO her bigger mistake was initially brushing off the avalanche of public criticism and then waiting far too long to admit the errors and apologize. Swoopes somehow managed to make a bad situation even worse; she could have easily cleaned up her mess within 24 hours.

 

[Knothole Hawk]

Players will continue to get more physical with her every year, like they did with CC. That CC hasn't missed any games for 4 years is really impressive. Like all her records.

 

[kceasthawk]

TBF, I did say assuming she plays 4 years and doesn't get injured. But yes, there are several factors that play into her breaking the record. The loaded incoming class is a good one. As is your point about her drive and determination. Maybe Juju has peaked. I don't know. I think she owes it to Caitlin to leave a year early and not break the record.

People keep making that 4 years comment. Currently the woman MUST be at least 22 before they leave and 4 years removed from high school. She doesn't have the option to go anywhere unless she skipped the W and played in Europe, and thats not happening.

 

[amahawk]

I wish Juju the best. My point about the asterisk is that so many thought CC's record was unfair or not the real record. Let's see how they treat someone else.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

The question is can JuJu handle all the attention coming her way once CC is off the scene.

CC has been able to handle the circus...can JuJu?

 

[Rifler]

If it's not JuJu then it will be someone else,.. Caitlin Clark's records will be broken.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

JuJu played in 34 of USC's 35 games this season. She averaged 27.1 ppg. USC finished their season at 29-6.

Will her scoring average go up over the next 3 years like what happened with Caitlin? Who knows.

The most games USC could have played this year is 37.

Assuming USC plays, on average, 36 games a year over her 4 years (being generous, I know), that would be 144 career games (Friday is Caitlin's 138th career game).

144 games x 27.1 ppg (her current average) = 3,903 projected points after 4 years.

Caitlin currently is at 3,900.

I think that we're seeing folks like Caitlin shatter a ceiling. The message to young girls is that it's good to be competition ... it's good to be assertive and aggressive ... that you CAN do it! Very empowering stuff.

While Caitlin certainly is an amazing player ... I think that we're going to see these women athletes continue to "take off."

I think that JuJu will break Caitlin's scoring record ... and I hope that she does. I want to see the women's game continue to grow and prosper.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Sorry, JuJu reminds me of Droopy.

No...she's pretty cute.

At least if you look at her front facing...her profile is a bit schnozy I will concede.

Anyway, she definitely gets a 🪵rating.