Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark may only have two games left in her college basketball career, and it has many fans wondering who will be the person to take her place as the face of the women’s side of the NCAA game. Well one notable NCAA insider believes a specific player is the odds-on favorite.
There is no bigger story in college sports right now than Caitlin Clark. While she was a headline maker all season as she chased down and surpassed the all-time scoring record, Clark fever is at a new peak after she again led her team to the Final Four this week.
- Caitlin Clark height: Six feet tall
However, the interest in the Iowa guard is not massive just to see if she can finish the story and win a National Championship, but these will be her final appearances for the school. Last month, the 22-year-old revealed she will enter the WNBA Draft and turn pro after this season comes to a close. And her exit not only leaves a massive void for the Hawkeyes but for the entire sport.
With Clark leading the way, women’s college basketball has reached new heights in television ratings, ticket sales, and overall interest. So it doesn’t lose its hard-earned momentum, a new star must emerge to take the game into the next few years and Associated Press women’s basketball reporter Doug Feinberg believes one specific star is ready to take the mantle as the new face of the sport.
Juju Watkins will take Caitlin Clark’s place as women’s college basketball’s top player
“Juju Watkins is definitely the favorite to be the next one, so to speak,” Feinberg told Sportsnaut this week. “And she’s done everything to deserve that title. She’s a wonderful player, her personality off the court is great and that’s the thing.”
- Caitlin Clark stats (2023-24): 32.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 9.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 38% 3PT
Feinberg lauded Clark for her ability to expertly handle fans and the media off the court and “never have a bad day.” It’s something he says the USC Trojans star also already has as the freshman’s 27.1 points per game was second in the nation this season — only behind Clark — and garnered her a great deal of attention.
But he also believes there are some other dark horses for women’s college basketball fans to keep in mind heading into the 2024-25 season.
“There are other names though. Madison Booker in Texas led that team to a No. 1 seed after they lost Rori Harmon. She’s a phenomenal player,” he said. “Hannah Hidalgo out of Notre Dame had a fantastic year on both ends of the court. She’s another wonderful young woman who I think is going to be very very good. You have those three, [and] Milaysia Fulwiley from South Carolina who is really good.
“So I don’t think it has to be one person carrying things, I think there’s going to be a bunch of people. And the best part is they are all over the country.”
- Juju Watkins stats (2023): 27.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.6 APG 32% 3PT