JuJu Watkins Nears Historic Milestone: Poised to Surpass Caitlin Clark in NCAA Women’s Basketball Scoring Records

JuJu Watkins is on the verge of making history in women’s college basketball.

The USC freshman phenom currently boasts an astonishing 1,635 career points, placing her a mere 28 points away from surpassing Caitlin Clark’s record for the most points scored through a player’s first two NCAA seasons.

As Watkins continues her dominant rise, basketball enthusiasts and analysts alike are marveling at her rapid ascent in the collegiate ranks.

A Star in the Making: JuJu Watkins’ Meteoric Rise

At just 18 years old, JuJu Watkins has already established herself as one of the most electrifying players in the NCAA.

The 6-foot-2 guard from Los Angeles entered the 2023-24 season with high expectations, having been the No. 1 overall recruit in her class.

Throughout her freshman year, she has not only met those expectations but shattered them, consistently delivering jaw-dropping performances on the court.

With an average of over 27 points per game, Watkins has been a scoring machine for the USC Trojans, leading them to one of their most promising seasons in recent memory.

Her ability to score at all three levels—driving to the basket, knocking down mid-range jumpers, and sinking deep three-pointers—makes her nearly unstoppable.

Coupled with her court vision and defensive prowess, she has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest players in women’s basketball history.

As the season progresses, her chase for individual records aligns with USC’s broader ambitions of making a deep NCAA Tournament run.

However, the biggest storyline surrounding Watkins right now is her impending surpassing of Caitlin Clark in the record books.

Chasing Caitlin Clark: What This Record Means

Caitlin Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes superstar, set a new standard in NCAA women’s basketball with her unparalleled scoring ability.

Through her first two seasons, Clark racked up an impressive 1,662 points, an achievement that seemed untouchable at the time.

However, Watkins is now within striking distance of that mark—and she still has games left to play in her freshman campaign.

Clark’s name has been synonymous with scoring excellence over the past few years.

The current senior has continued to rewrite record books, recently becoming the all-time leading scorer in Division I women’s basketball.

Her influence on the sport has been immense, inspiring a new generation of players with her deep-range shooting and playmaking skills.

For Watkins, passing Clark’s two-season scoring total would be a testament to her own greatness.

It would solidify her place among the elite young scorers in NCAA history and further validate her potential to leave an indelible mark on the game.

If Watkins continues at this pace, she could very well contend for all-time scoring records before her college career is over.

The Numbers Behind Watkins’ Historic Campaign

JuJu Watkins’ offensive output has been nothing short of spectacular.

Let’s break down some key statistics that highlight her dominance this season:

• Total Points: 1,635 (as of March 9, 2025)
• Points Needed to Pass Clark: 28
• Scoring Average: 27.2 points per game
• Highest-Scoring Game: 45 points
• Games Remaining in the Regular Season: [Number of Games]
• Field Goal Percentage: 46.5%
• Three-Point Shooting Percentage: 37.8%
• Free Throw Percentage: 85.1%

Watkins’ efficiency and consistency have been remarkable for a first-year player.

Her ability to put up these numbers despite facing double-teams and defensive schemes designed specifically to slow her down speaks volumes about her skillset and basketball IQ.

How Watkins Compares to Other NCAA Greats

Breaking Clark’s record is just one milestone in what could be a legendary college career for Watkins.

Many basketball historians and analysts have started drawing comparisons between Watkins and some of the all-time greats in women’s college basketball, including:

• Diana Taurasi (UConn): One of the most clutch performers in history, Taurasi was known for her ability to take over games, much like Watkins.
• Breanna Stewart (UConn): While Stewart was more of a two-way force, her impact on winning was similar to Watkins’ influence on USC’s resurgence.
• Maya Moore (UConn): A scoring machine in her own right, Moore dominated the college scene, much like Watkins is doing in her freshman season.
• Kelsey Plum (Washington): The all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball, Plum’s ability to put up big numbers mirrors what Watkins has done so far.

If Watkins continues at this pace, she could be on track to challenge even more historic records in the coming years.

What’s Next for Watkins and USC?

With USC currently positioned as a top team in the Pac-12 and a contender for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, Watkins’ performances will be crucial in determining how far the Trojans can go.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has built a team around Watkins’ strengths, allowing her to thrive in an up-tempo system that maximizes her scoring ability.

Fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating her next game, where she could officially surpass Clark’s two-season scoring record.

The pressure will undoubtedly be high, but if Watkins’ performances this season have been any indication, she thrives in these moments.

Beyond this season, the future looks incredibly bright for both Watkins and USC.

With another year of eligibility ahead of her (unless she declares for the WNBA Draft early), she has the potential to set records that could stand for decades.

The Impact of Watkins on Women’s Basketball

Watkins’ rise to prominence is also contributing to the broader growth of women’s college basketball.

Much like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, Watkins is helping draw more fans to the game, increasing media attention, and boosting attendance figures across the country.

Her style of play—dynamic, aggressive, and electrifying—resonates with young players looking for role models.

With NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities growing in women’s sports, Watkins is also set to become one of the most marketable athletes in college basketball.

The USC star’s journey is far from over, and as she continues to break records, she will also be breaking barriers, paving the way for future generations of young athletes.

A New Era in Women’s College Basketball

JuJu Watkins is not just chasing Caitlin Clark’s record—she’s carving out her own path as one of the most dominant forces in NCAA women’s basketball.

As she inches closer to history, the entire basketball world will be watching.

Her next game could be the moment when she officially etches her name into the record books.

Will she seize the opportunity and cement her place in history? If her performances so far are any indication, there’s little doubt that Watkins is ready for the challenge.

With every shot, every game, and every milestone, JuJu Watkins is proving that she is not just a rising star—she is the future of women’s college basketball.