When USC Trojans' JuJu Watkins shared her feelings on signing a NIL deal with LeBron James' agency: "Community outreach was very important"

In February 2022, JuJu Watkins, a standout basketball player from Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles, made history by becoming the first female high school athlete to sign a (NIL) deal with Klutch Sports Group, the agency founded by Rich Paul and known for representing NBA stars like LeBron James.

The groundbreaking partnership was about athletic representation and was deeply rooted in shared values of community engagement. Watkins spoke about it in June 2022 during an interview with the "We Need to Talk" show.

"Community outreach was very important in our conversation... Klutch was the best agency to help me tell that story," Watkins said.

Watkins' great-grandfather, Ted Watkins, founded the Watts Labor Community Action Committee in 1965. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The legacy of activism and service has profoundly influenced JuJu's approach to her career and partnerships. By aligning with Klutch Sports, Watkins not only secured professional representation but also found a platform to amplify her community-focused initiatives.

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JuJu Watkins viewed as the future of Women’s Basketball by several analysts

Juju Watins (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

After the NIL agreement with Klutch Sports Group, JuJu Watkins has made the decision to expand her influence through several notable partnerships. In October 2022, she came out to be one of the first high school athletes to sign with Nike which in turn made her a part of a select group that includes Bronny James and Caitlin Clark.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was particularly vocal about Watkins’ skills and even compared her to basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

“If you watch her work out, you wouldn’t know she was a girl. She has no mannerisms,” Arenas said. “She works out with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker and can mimic all of them. She’s got so much power, so much swag. She has the Kobe and Jordan gene.”

NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe echoed this sentiment when discussing Watkins’ game on his podcast.

“She reminds me of Maya Moore,” Sharpe said.

JuJu Watkins' leadership and dedication to her sport have also impressed her USC coach, Lindsay Gottlieb. After Watkins' collegiate debut, Gottlieb called her a “special player” and praised her for handling the pressure with grace.

“She understands the responsibility she carries, not just for herself but for women’s basketball as a whole,” Gottlieb said.

Even her peers in basketball are taking notice. Caitlin Clark, who is a WNBA star and fellow State Farm ambassador reached out to Watkins during the John R. Wooden Awards, saying:

“Whatever you need, I’m here.”

Watkins expressed her gratitude, calling Clark “a great player and a really good person.”

Juju Watkins' ability to handle pressure, inspire teammates, and deliver on the court has made her a standout.

Watkins has taken on roles that allow her to share her journey and inspire others. She is the focus of a docuseries titled On the Rise: JuJu Watkins, which is produced by LeBron James' SpringHill Company and UNINTERRUPTED.