Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins Share Words of Mutual Respect After Iowa's Win vs USC

JuJu Watkins and Caitlin Clark both had kind words for each other during and after Sunday's Iowa vs. USC game.

Feb 2, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Former Iowa Hawkeyes player Caitlin Clark talks with the media before the game against the USC Trojans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will be retiring the jersey of Clark after the game. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team produced an extremely impressive upset over the No. 4 ranked USC Trojans by a score of 76-69 on Sunday.

The three leading scorers of the 2023-24 NCAA women's basketball season were present at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the game. Two of them (Lucy Olsen and JuJu Watkins) were competing on the court while last season's top scorer, Caitlin Clark, was in the building because she was getting her No. 22 jersey retired by Iowa after the game ended.

Clark and Watkins have been very respectful of each other in the past. And on Sunday, there were several times when Clark gave Watkins her metaphorical flowers.

When speaking on the game's FOX broadcast in the third quarter, Clark said, "I've talked to JuJu a little bit. Obviously, I kinda watch from a distance. Honestly, more than anything, I just try to be supportive.

"She doesn't need my help," Clark continued. "She's obviously really talented and her game speaks for itself. She's so fun to watch, and as you can tell our entire scouting report: Number 12, that's all it’s about.”

Caitlin talking about Juju

“Ive talked to Juju a little bit. Obviously I kinda watch from a distance. Honestly more than anything I just try to be supportive. She doesnt need my help…As you can tell our entire scouting report number 12 thats all it’s about.” pic.twitter.com/aRoh4rS44d

— correlation (@nosyone4) February 2, 2025

Clark also spoke about Watkins during her jersey retirement speech, as the entire USC team stuck around to watch the ceremony.

"And obviously, USC, good luck the rest of the way," Clark said. "I’m a big fan of all of you. JuJu, you were awesome, and Lindsay [Gottlieb], you do a great job. It's fun to be here and watch you guys.”

“And obviously USC good luck the rest of the way. I’m a big fan of all of you. Juju you were awesome.” pic.twitter.com/JZu5UzR4da

— correlation (@nosyone4) February 2, 2025

When speaking with media after the game, Watkins said of the retirement ceremony, "It was great. Just to see the love that she gets from her community, and everybody in the stands," per The Hawkeye Report YouTube channel.

"I'm a big fan of hers, so to see her get her flowers, it's amazing," Watkins added of Clark.

It will be amazing to see these two superstars face off in the WNBA in a couple of years.