All eyes have been on JuJu Watkins this season, and it’s no surprise why. The USC Trojans’ freshman guard has been putting on a show, dominating the NCAA, and capturing the attention of some of basketball’s biggest names. Even NBA stars like Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard can’t help but weigh in, comparing Watkins to an 18-year-old Carmelo Anthony leading Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA championship. But here’s the twist—Carmelo Anthony himself doesn’t quite agree. Instead, he believes Watkins is on a much larger trajectory: she could be the Michael Jordan of women’s basketball.
Carmelo’s Take on JuJu Watkins
Carmelo Anthony shared his thoughts on JuJu Watkins during his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast. As the conversation swirled around her potential as a leader, Melo offered a fresh perspective. He emphasized that leadership doesn’t always have to be vocal or about rallying teammates in huddles. Sometimes, leadership can simply be about letting your game do the talking.
“Some people just want to play ball and be out the way, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” Melo said. He praised Watkins for her remarkable skill and then made a bold proclamation: “She’s a Michael Jordan coming.” He continued, “Shout out to JuJu, man. JuJu is an incredible player.” The comparison to the GOAT set a high bar, and it’s clear that Melo sees a special greatness in Watkins.
A Clash of Comparisons: Melo or MJ?
Not everyone agrees with Carmelo’s take. Damian Lillard, obviously impressed by Watkins’ poise and skill, likened her rise to Melo’s own journey during his time at Syracuse. Lillard took to his X account to post, “Juju like Melo at Syracuse fr… you wanna win, give her the ball man.” It’s hard to argue with that when you look at Watkins’ stellar numbers this season. She’s been putting up over 20 points per game, leading her team to a Pac-12 title, and yet, unlike Melo’s 2003 NCAA championship run, Watkins hasn’t reached that ultimate peak just yet.
Watkins’ Mirror Image: Melo in JuJu
Back in April, during another segment of the “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, Carmelo Anthony broke down JuJu Watkins’ game, drawing more parallels to his own journey. He highlighted how Watkins finds her spots on the court, noting the ease and fluidity that defined his Syracuse days. “For me, it’s fun to see that type of game kind of translate into the women’s game, right, because it looks so good when you’re doing it,” Melo said. It’s a joy for Melo to see his signature style reflected in Watkins, who, at just 19, already exudes a similar confidence and flair.
The Road Ahead
Though JuJu Watkins has yet to lift the trophy that Carmelo Anthony famously hoisted, the hype surrounding her is undeniably justified. Whether she’s destined to be the Michael Jordan of women’s basketball or the next Melo, Watkins is leaving her mark on the NCAA, and she’s just getting started. For fans, watching her journey is like catching the first glimpse of history in the making.
