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JuJu Watkins

Saniyah Hall Commits to USC: Top 2026 Recruit Joins Watkins-Led Trojans

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor July 26, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

In a highly anticipated declaration, basketball phenom

[Player Name]

revealed her collegiate destination, proudly displaying a USC Trojans shirt beneath her jacket.”I am headed to the University of southern California. Go Trojans! Fight on,” she declared.

This commitment follows a stellar performance by

[Player Name]

at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where she led Team USA to a gold medal and earned MVP honors. Her impressive stats included averaging 19.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 52.6% from the field and 39.3% from beyond the arc. She scored 25 points in the championship game against Australia. While her scoring average may be a new USA U19 record,

[Player Name]

emphasized her pride in her defensive contributions, noting, “I had a lot of steals that game and a lot of blocks.”

She will join a formidable USC Trojans squad being assembled by coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The team also secured the commitment of McDonald’s All-American Jazzy Davidson,the third-ranked recruit in the 2025 class,who played alongside

[Player Name]

on the USA U19 team. Last season, USC achieved a 31-4 record, with their tournament run ending in the Elite Eight after superstar Juju Watkins suffered an ACL injury during the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

[Player Name]

cited coach Gottlieb and her future teammates as key factors in her decision. “I love all my teammates. The girls there are so fun to be around definitely lindsay (Gottlieb)… she’s definitely there to support me and I’ve built a relationship with her. She’s a great coach,” she stated.

The Ohio native is set to conclude her senior season of high school basketball at SPIRE Academy in Geneva,Ohio. In her previous season at Montverde (Florida) Academy, she averaged 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Earlier this month,

[Player Name]

signed an NIL deal with the Jordan brand. Reflecting on her approach to the game, she commented, “I don’t have anything to prove.I just go out, play basketball. I let my game do the talking. Actions speak for themselves.”

July 26, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Women’s basketball stars’ name, likeness and image brands carrying over into the WNBA

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor July 17, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Hoops Stars Leverage NIL for Pro Success and Impact

College phenoms build powerful brands, translate to WNBA stardom and community giving.

A new wave of women’s basketball talent is capitalizing on name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities, transforming their collegiate careers into successful brands that extend into the WNBA and beyond.

From College Courts to All-Star Status

Players like **Caitlin Clark**, **Angel Reese**, and **Paige Bueckers** have become household names, leveraging their on-court prowess to build significant brands during their college years. This recognition has directly translated into early success in the WNBA, with both **Clark** and **Reese** earning All-Star selections in their initial two professional seasons. **Bueckers** was also voted a starter in her first All-Star Game.

Emerging Talent Carries the Torch

Following in their footsteps, a fresh crop of college stars, including **Hannah Hidalgo**, **Flau’jae Johnson**, **Olivia Miles**, and **JuJu Watkins**, are already seeing the financial benefits of NIL. **Johnson**, a guard at LSU, boasts an NIL valuation of $1.5 million, highlighting the lucrative potential.

“NIL, man, it is beautiful,” Johnson said. “This year in March Madness, I had about five commercials running and you know it was so cool watching the game, then seeing myself come on. It’s just a great opportunity.”

—Flau’jae Johnson

LSU has become a powerhouse for NIL opportunities across various sports, with **Johnson** benefiting immensely from the exposure. Her partnerships include national campaigns with Experian and Powerade, further solidifying her brand beyond the basketball court.

Empowering Athletes and Giving Back

**Hannah Hidalgo**, preparing for her junior year at Notre Dame, expressed gratitude for the ability of student-athletes to profit from their own image.

“It’s a blessing. Schools for decades have been able to make money off of college players’ names. So for now, for student athletes to be able to make money off of how they carry themselves, you know, we’re a brand ourselves. I’m a brand myself and so be able to make money off of my name is honestly truly a blessing and just taking advantage of it is the biggest thing.”

—Hannah Hidalgo

The financial gains from NIL deals are not only empowering these athletes but also enabling them to make a significant impact in their communities. **Johnson** shared her experience with an Experian campaign that aimed to relieve debt for families in Louisiana.

“I just want to be one of those people that uses NIL the right way,” Johnson stated. “This year I did a campaign with Experian and we relieved $5 million in debt right for families in Louisiana and then every game we won we added $100,000 to the pot.”

The ability to use their platforms for positive change resonates deeply with these athletes. **Johnson** described receiving emotional videos on Instagram from families who benefited from the initiative, emphasizing the profound impact of their NIL endeavors.

According to NIL rankings compiled by On3, the top 100 college football players collectively held over $13 million in NIL valuation in early 2024, underscoring the significant economic shift in collegiate sports (On3 NIL Valuation Rankings).

Navigating Opportunities with Support

For **Johnson**, **Hidalgo**, and **Miles**, who recently helped the U.S. secure gold at the AmeriCup, managing NIL deals is a priority, but not at the expense of their athletic performance. They attribute their success to strong support systems and dedicated agents who handle scheduling and logistics.

“I really dedicate one or two times a week to kind of get all my stuff done. My agent is very good at scheduling that, but most of my money comes from the collective deal, so for that I really don’t have to do much, which is nice. But any other of the other side deals, my agent will send a videographer out to help me or have her edit stuff or whatever it may be.”

—Olivia Miles

This strategic approach ensures that while these athletes are building lucrative careers and giving back, their primary focus remains on excelling in their sport.

July 17, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Bueckers, Watkins Spark WNBA Draft Eligibility Debate

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com December 21, 2024

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

WNBA Draft Eligibility: A Growing Debate

The WNBA’s 2024 draft‌ concluded in April, but the conversation surrounding its⁢ eligibility rules continues to dominate ⁣headlines. Unlike the NBA, where players⁤ can enter the draft⁣ straight out of high school, the WNBA mandates that players must be at least 22 years old or have completed their college eligibility before declaring for the draft. This rule is‍ now facing increased scrutiny, fueled by the rise of‌ exceptional collegiate talent.

the debate intensified with the emergence‍ of ‌standout players⁣ like USC sophomore guard JuJu Watkins. Watkins, a highly touted prospect, won’t be eligible for the WNBA until 2027 under the‍ current rules. Her recent comments highlight the growing sentiment among players and fans alike.

“I definitely ⁢think we should have the option [to leave early],” Watkins stated during an appearance on the Good Game with Sarah Spain podcast. “There’s just been such a growth in college basketball where ⁣it’s ‌like, ‘Why would you want to leave?’ Because⁤ you’re able to have⁣ that experience and build your brand here in college as well. ⁣I would definitely ⁣say we should have ⁣the option, but I think college is a way to prepare us for the pros as well.⁢ So, I don’t know. It’s a touchy subject, but I’m⁣ for it.”

Watkins isn’t alone in sparking ‌this discussion. the recent matchup between Watkins and‌ UConn’s Paige Bueckers further fueled the ‍debate. Bueckers,a potential top overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has the option to return to ‍college for another season,but her presence,along with Watkins’,highlights the exceptional talent ‌currently playing in the NCAA.

The⁣ highly⁣ anticipated game between‌ no. 7 USC and No.4 UConn, featuring these two stars, drew notable attention. The clash was reminiscent of classic rivalries like UConn-Tennessee, captivating fans‌ and showcasing the future of women’s professional basketball.

The home-and-home series scheduled between USC and UConn⁢ underscores the growing interest in women’s college basketball. As Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb‍ noted:

“There’s something unique ‌and special about a home-and-home series, as it engages not only ‌the national TV audience,⁣ but the fan bases of the respective schools,” Gottlieb ⁤said ‍in a statement. “UConn vs. USC, on each coast over the next two seasons, will ⁤challenge our players in a terrific environment.What‌ a great series to be a ⁣part⁤ of.”

The future of the WNBA draft hinges on this ongoing discussion. While Bueckers is poised to be a top pick, the current eligibility rules prevent players like watkins from entering the draft earlier, despite their exceptional talent and potential. The debate over early entry into the WNBA is far from ‍over, and its resolution will significantly impact the league’s landscape in the years to come.

UConn Women’s Basketball Game Sets Record-High Ticket Prices

the recent clash between the university of Connecticut (UConn) and ⁤the ‌University of Southern California (USC) women’s basketball teams didn’t⁤ just ⁣deliver a thrilling game; it⁤ also shattered previous records for ticket resale prices. The matchup, featuring ‌star players like ‌Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins, proved to be a monumental event, attracting unprecedented fan interest and driving ticket prices to unprecedented heights.

According to Victory Live, a leading secondary ‍ticket market tracker, the average resale price for tickets to⁤ the UConn-USC game reached $127 – the highest ever recorded for a UConn women’s basketball home game. ‍This surpasses ⁢the previous record set in February 2023 during a game against‍ the University of South Carolina. The surge in demand ‌is a testament to the growing popularity of women’s college basketball and⁤ the star power of the players involved.

The escalating ticket prices reflect a broader trend. Resale prices for UConn women’s basketball ⁣games at the XL Centre have been steadily climbing, averaging $57 so far this season – ⁣a $5 increase compared to the same period last year. However, Saturday’s game against USC saw a dramatic‍ spike, with resale prices reaching a staggering 223% above the current season average. “JuJu vs. Paige is as good as it gets,” one fan commented, highlighting the intense anticipation surrounding the matchup of these two‌ exceptional athletes.

This remarkable increase in‍ ticket demand underscores the significant impact ⁣of retaining top-tier players for ⁣extended ⁣periods. The ability of women’s college basketball programs to keep ⁤star athletes for at least three, and often four, years ⁢has been instrumental in ‌cultivating both on-campus and national recognition.⁢ with “more eyes” on the sport, as one observer noted, fans are increasingly willing to invest in tickets to witness these ⁢elite athletes compete.

The success ‍of this game serves as a powerful indicator of the future of women’s college basketball. The rising ticket prices, coupled with increased media attention and ⁢fan engagement, suggest a shining future‍ for the sport and its dedicated ‌athletes.

Stay Connected: ⁤ For more updates on ‌women’s college basketball and other sporting news, follow us on Facebook, twitter, and Instagram. Subscribe to our⁢ newsletter for the latest insights: Sportico’s Newsletter.

December 21, 2024 0 comments