Caitlin Clark’s Legacy: How She Shook Up the WNBA?

The Indiana Fever star and WNBA Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark, has made waves in the league, elevating women’s basketball to unprecedented heights. In just her first season in the professional arena, she quickly established herself as one of the standout figures in the WNBA.

Clark’s dazzling career comes as no surprise; her exceptional performances while playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes paved the way for her current success. One of the most memorable moments of her college career occurred during a thrilling championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, which attracted an average of 18.9 million viewers—a record for college basketball.

As Clark embarks on her professional journey, a new generation of college talent is ready to follow in her footsteps. Among them is sophomore guard JuJu Watkins of the USC Trojans, who made an impression as a freshman, finishing the season as the second-highest scorer and leading the team to its first No. 1 seed since the 1980s.

Recognizing Watkins’ potential to become the next big star, USC head coach Lindsey Gottlieb recently revealed in an interview with NBC that she sought advice from Clark to help Watkins manage the pressures of fame at the college level. In a heartfelt gesture, Clark was eager to assist by sharing her contact information with Gottlieb, highlighting her willingness to support the young player.

“First and foremost, she is incredibly generous,” Gottlieb commented. “She actually took my phone and said, ‘Here’s my number. Call me, and let’s see how I can help.’ She mentioned that she had dealt with this level of attention for over a year and a half, and JuJu would experience it for three years.”

Having someone as established as Clark by her side will undoubtedly help Watkins navigate the complexities of fame and public scrutiny. Clark’s initiative also reflects her commitment to mentoring the future of women’s basketball, ensuring that emerging talents have the support she may have wished for during her own development.

This season, the Trojans are in the spotlight, currently ranked third in ESPN’s Top 25.