Report: USC star Watkins receiving lucrative shoe deal as part of Nike extension

USC guard JuJu Watkins is receiving one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women's basketball as part of a multi-year contract extension with Nike, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Watkins signed with the brand in October 2022 alongside fellow student-athletes Caitlin Clark, Bronny James, Haley Jones, and D.J. Wagner.

Watkins is the latest women's basketball star to ink a shoe deal with Nike. The athletic footwear and apparel company reportedly signed Clark to an eight-year, $28-million deal, while reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson is set to release her own signature sneaker next year.

During her freshman year at USC, Watkins averaged an impressive 27.1 points, 7.3 boards, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks across 34 appearances. She was named to The Associated Press' All-American first team and earned the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation's top shooting guard.

The California native also tallied 920 points to break the women's all-time Division I scoring record by a freshman and led the Trojans to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1994.