JuJu Watkins Secures Lucrative Nike Shoe Deal

JuJu Watkins, a standout sophomore in women’s basketball, has signed a multiyear contract extension with Nike, securing one of the most lucrative shoe endorsement deals in the sport’s history, according to ESPN sources. The agreement was finalized Tuesday following negotiations led by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, alongside Watkins’ team, which includes agent Jade-Li English, marketing head Eric Eways, and Vice President of Basketball Marketing Brittany McCallum.

Watkins initially partnered with Nike in October 2022 during her senior year of high school. The extension comes after a remarkable freshman season at the University of Southern California (USC), where she emerged as the all-time leading freshman scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball, scoring 920 points. This achievement broke the previous record of 898 points held by San Diego State‘s Tina Hutchinson since the 1983-84 season.

In addition to her record-breaking collegiate performance, Watkins guided the USC Trojans to their deepest NCAA tournament run in 30 years, reaching the Elite Eight. Her exceptional play earned her the title of Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and “Best Breakthrough Athlete” at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

Watkins has quickly garnered attention as she was also named the Associated Press‘ Preseason Player of the Year ahead of the 2024-25 season. Her impactful presence on the court is expected to continue to grow, with her new Nike deal further boosting her prominence and paving the way for her potential future in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).