USC Trojans’ JuJu Watkins Signs A Contract Extension With Nike, Marking ‘One Of The Richest Shoe Endorsement Deals In Women’s Basketball’

JuJu Watkins is making major moves on and off the court.

On Tuesday, 8, 2024, ESPN reported that the University of Southern California star — who recently entered her second season with the team — signed a multiyear contract extension with Nike , securing “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.”

Watkins joined the Nike family as a high school senior in October 2022. At just 19, she has consistently exceeded expectations during her time with the Trojans, leading the team to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994 in her first year, according to CBS Sports.

She boasted averages of 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, ranking second nationally in scoring, per the outlet. With 920 points, she made history as the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in Division I women’s basketball, surpassing San Diego State University’s Tina Hutchinson who had the previous record of 898 during the 1983-84 season.

As Blavity reported, Watkins also showcased her skills during March Madness , standing tall next to Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, proving she could hold her own on the biggest stage.

Throughout the tournament, the USC freshman averaged 26.9 points per game and served as the driving force behind the Trojans’ success. In her debut game, she scored 23 points, contributing to USC’s first seven points.

The Nike athlete won the 2024 ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete and the 2024 WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year titles.

And Watkins isn’t the only athlete making moves with Nike. Back in May, the brand introduced WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces as the latest member of its signature lineup. According to Nike, Wilson worked closely with their innovation, product, and design teams over the past year to craft a signature shoe collection reflecting her unique style, performance, and personality.

Nike continues to expand its roster of women athletes, which includes not only Watkins and Wilson but also tennis greats Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka .

“We’re seeing this shift in women’s basketball,” Wilson told Fast Company. “And I feel like this is the perfect moment to be a signature athlete.”

The post USC Trojans’ JuJu Watkins Signs A Contract Extension With Nike, Marking ‘One Of The Richest Shoe Endorsement Deals In Women’s Basketball’ appeared first on AfroTech .

The post USC Trojans’ JuJu Watkins Signs A Contract Extension With Nike, Marking ‘One Of The Richest Shoe Endorsement Deals In Women’s Basketball’ appeared first on AfroTech .