BREAKING NEWS: JuJu Watkins Launches Fourth Degree Campaign with Massive $1 Million Philanthropic Potential Ahead of March Madness

 As the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament draws near, all eyes are once again on one of the sport’s most captivating figures: JuJu Watkins. The University of Southern California (USC) basketball star, whose dominance on the court has already transformed the trajectory of women’s college hoops, is back in the national spotlight with yet another headline-making announcement.

Following a remarkable partnership with Degree that culminated in a $400,000 donation to Chrysalis, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that supports homeless individuals, Watkins is now starring in her fourth national Degree campaign, this time with the potential to earn up to $1 million—a move that could change countless lives.

But this is not just another high-profile endorsement. JuJu Watkins, still just 19 years old, is crafting a legacy far greater than her stats on the scoreboard.

By combining her platform as an elite athlete, her growing brand as a social changemaker, and her authentic connection to the community she grew up in, Watkins is setting a new standard for how college athletes can—and should—use their influence.

This deep-dive explores the multi-layered impact of Watkins’ latest Degree campaign, how it aligns with her philanthropic mission to help the homeless rebuild their lives, and what it signals for the future of women’s basketball, NIL deals, and corporate responsibility.

A Breakout Star with a Purpose

JuJu Watkins is no ordinary college athlete. The 6-foot-2 sophomore guard has been lighting up courts nationwide, averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season, and helping lead USC to a stellar 28-3 record heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Her game is electric. Her leadership is magnetic. But what truly sets her apart is her unrelenting focus on community impact.

Following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather Ted Watkins, who founded the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) in the 1960s to combat systemic poverty in South Los Angeles, JuJu has made giving back central to her identity.

Earlier this year, she donated her entire $400,000 earnings from her third Degree campaign to Chrysalis, a nonprofit that helps homeless individuals find and retain employment.

That move garnered national media attention, won over skeptics, and confirmed what many already believed: JuJu Watkins is building a career with conscience.

Now, with a fourth Degree campaign launching just ahead of March Madness, Watkins is poised to amplify her impact.

Inside the Degree Deal: A Game-Changing NIL Campaign

Watkins’ partnership with Degree is more than an endorsement. It’s a collaboration steeped in shared values.

Degree has long been committed to championing movement, empowerment, and inclusivity.

In Watkins, the brand has found the perfect ambassador: a young woman breaking barriers in her sport while staying rooted in her community.

This new campaign is part of Degree’s “Move Beyond Limits” initiative, spotlighting athletes who are using movement as a tool for transformation.

Watkins headlines the campaign with a new national TV commercial, a digital-first media blitz across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and an immersive campus activation at USC during the first week of March Madness.

A brand representative confirmed that if the campaign matches the reach and engagement of its predecessor, Watkins could earn up to $1 million.

Once again, she’s pledged that a significant portion—or perhaps the entire amount—will be donated to homelessness-focused charities in Los Angeles.

“This is not about the money,” Watkins said in a statement. “It’s about creating real change.

Degree understands that, and they’re giving me a platform to do more than just play basketball. They’re helping me make a difference.”

How Chrysalis Became a Symbol of JuJu’s Mission

In 2024, when Watkins donated $400,000 to Chrysalis, many were surprised that such a young athlete would choose to give away her entire earnings. But to Watkins, the decision was easy.

Chrysalis offers job readiness programs, resume development, housing assistance, and job placement to people experiencing homelessness.

Its work aligns with Watkins’ values and her personal experiences growing up in South Los Angeles, where homelessness has long plagued the streets outside USC’s campus.

In an emotional visit to the charity earlier this year, Watkins said, “I see myself in these people. I see my neighbors.

My classmates. My community. Helping them get back on their feet is the least I can do.”

Chrysalis CEO Mark Loranger called the donation “life-altering,” noting that it would directly fund housing assistance for more than 1,200 people in 2025 alone.

Trojan Family, Trojan Impact

USC has embraced Watkins not only as a generational basketball talent but as a symbol of the university’s broader mission of civic engagement.

In a statement, USC President Carol Folt praised Watkins as “an extraordinary example of how our students are shaping the world around them.”

And it’s not just administrators who are behind her. The Trojan Family—students, alumni, and fans—have been vocal in their support for Watkins’ philanthropic work.

Social media posts celebrating her donation to Chrysalis were shared tens of thousands of times, with hashtags like #TrojanHero and #JuJuGivesBack trending regionally.

During USC’s final home game before the tournament, thousands of fans wore custom shirts that read “Purpose > Points,” a nod to Watkins’ bigger mission.

The $1 Million Question: What’s Next?

With $1 million on the table, expectations are high. But according to insiders close to Watkins, she is not interested in the payday. She’s focused on what the money can do for others.

Reports suggest she is already in discussions with two additional Los Angeles nonprofits, including LA Family Housing and The People Concern, about distributing future campaign earnings.

In a recent interview, Watkins said, “People look at athletes and think the dream is the fame and fortune. But to me, the real dream is having the power to lift others up.”

Beyond Basketball: JuJu Watkins and the Future of NIL Deals

Watkins is also a case study in the evolution of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college athletics.

While many athletes have used NIL to profit from social media, appearances, and endorsements, Watkins is showing that these deals can also fuel lasting social impact.

She now has active NIL partnerships with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, United Airlines, NYX Professional Makeup, and now Degree—brands that align with her values and personal story.

According to On3’s NIL tracker, her valuation is approaching $1 million, making her one of the most valuable female athletes in college sports.

Industry analysts say Watkins is setting a new benchmark for female athletes navigating the NIL era.

“What JuJu is doing is remarkable,” said NIL consultant and former NCAA executive Lisa Blackburn.

“She’s flipping the script. She’s not just cashing in—she’s cashing out for a cause.”

The Social Media Multiplier

Part of what makes Watkins such a powerful force is her online presence.

With over 2.3 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), she commands the kind of engagement brands dream of. Her posts routinely go viral, not because they’re flashy, but because they’re authentic.

Watkins doesn’t just promote products—she promotes purpose.

Her latest campaign teaser video with Degree, showing her training at dawn while narrating her mission to fight homelessness, has already racked up more than 6 million views in under 48 hours.

Changing the Game—On and Off the Court

As March Madness tips off, Watkins will undoubtedly be under the national microscope. USC enters the tournament as a No. 1 seed, and expectations are sky-high.

But regardless of what happens on the hardwood, her impact is already cemented.

She is proof that athletes can do more than play. They can lead. They can serve. They can shape the national conversation.

And as she laces up her sneakers for her next shot at NCAA glory, one thing is clear: JuJu Watkins is not just playing for a trophy. She’s playing for transformation.

JuJu Watkins as a Blueprint for the Future

JuJu Watkins is redefining what it means to be a college athlete in 2025.

She is a star not only for her highlight reels and triple-doubles, but for her generosity, integrity, and vision.

In a world that often celebrates self-interest, she is offering a powerful counter-narrative: that fame is best used in service to others.

Her fourth campaign with Degree is more than a business deal—it is a movement. One rooted in justice, uplift, and unwavering commitment to the city that raised her.

Whether she’s draining clutch threes or walking the streets of South LA with food and hygiene kits, Watkins is doing what leaders do: showing up, standing tall, and giving back.

And with the possibility of earning $1 million for homelessness relief on the horizon, JuJu Watkins is proving, once again, that some victories extend far beyond the scoreboard.