JuJu Watkins is drawing attention for a reported moment of sportsmanship involving fellow basketball star Caitlin Clark. According to a report published by HITC on November 10, 2026, Watkins pushed back when a game announcer brought Clark into a conversation about her scoring performance.
The reported exchange has attracted interest because Watkins did not appear willing to turn her own achievement into a comparison with another player. Her response, as quoted in the report, was direct: “No, don’t do that. Don’t do that. Much respect, Eric.”
The moment has prompted discussion about the way women’s basketball players are compared with one another. However, an important scoring detail needs clarification: Watkins scored 32 points in USC’s November 8 game against Utah State. Her career-high 51-point performance came in a different game, against Stanford in February 2024.
What JuJu Watkins Reportedly Said About Caitlin Clark
The HITC report describes an exchange between Watkins and an announcer identified as Eric. According to the publication, the announcer praised Watkins for her scoring performance before making a reference to Clark.
The reported comment ended with the question, “Caitlin Clark who?” Watkins immediately rejected the comparison.
“No, no, no. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. Much respect, Eric,” she reportedly responded.
Her reaction was notable because she did not use the opportunity to criticize Clark or claim superiority. Instead, she expressed respect and redirected attention away from the comparison.
The exchange, as described by HITC, reflects a broader conversation about how athletes are discussed during broadcasts. Players can receive recognition for their performances without another athlete being brought into the discussion as a point of comparison.
The reported comments should be understood as an account published by HITC. The full broadcast exchange has not been independently established through the official USC game reports reviewed for this article.
JuJu Watkins’ Latest USC Performance
Watkins has made an impressive return to college basketball after missing the 2025-26 season while recovering from a serious knee injury.
In USC’s home-opening game against Utah State on November 8, the senior guard recorded 32 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and five steals. USC defeated Utah State 118-40 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.
The performance showed how important Watkins remains to the Trojans. She contributed on offense, helped control the boards and created opportunities for teammates.
USC also received strong contributions from its supporting players. Freshman Saniyah Hall scored 20 points, while six Trojans finished the game in double figures.
The 78-point victory was one of the largest in the program’s history. USC’s official recap described it as the second-largest winning margin in school history.
Clearing Up the 51-Point Claim
The original HITC headline and article refer to Watkins dropping 51 points. However, that figure does not match her November 8 performance against Utah State.
According to USC’s official game recap, Watkins scored 32 points in that contest. The university’s player profile lists 51 points as her career high, achieved against Stanford on February 2, 2024.
That distinction matters because accurate sports reporting should connect statistics to the correct game and date. Watkins has delivered several outstanding performances during her college career, but the 51-point milestone should not be presented as part of the November 8 game.
Watkins’ Return After a Major Injury
Watkins missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering a torn ACL during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. USC announced in September 2025 that she would sit out the season to focus on recovery.
Her return came on November 2, 2026, when USC opened its season against UNLV. Watkins scored 21 points in her first game back, helping the Trojans secure a 100-68 victory.
USC noted that the appearance was her first game in 588 days. She followed that performance with 32 points against Utah State, giving her 53 points across her first two games of the 2026-27 season.
The comeback has been an important storyline for USC. Watkins had already established herself as one of college basketball’s leading players before the injury, and her early performances suggest she has returned as a major part of the team’s plans.
Why the Caitlin Clark Comparison Matters
Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins are two prominent names in women’s basketball, but their careers have developed through different teams, competitions and playing styles.
Clark became a national star during her college career at Iowa, where her scoring, long-range shooting and passing attracted widespread attention. She later entered the WNBA and became one of the league’s most recognizable players.
Watkins built her reputation at USC through scoring, defensive activity and all-around contributions. She earned major national honors before her injury and returned to the court for the 2026-27 season.
Comparisons between high-profile athletes are common in sports coverage. They can help audiences understand different playing styles and career achievements. However, comparisons can also distract from an individual performance when they are used unnecessarily.
The reported response from Watkins has resonated with fans because it suggests that she wanted the conversation to remain respectful. Rather than accepting a provocative comparison, she reportedly acknowledged Clark with respect.
Recognition Without Creating Rivalries
Women’s basketball has grown significantly in visibility, and its leading players often receive intense media attention. That attention can create pressure to frame athletes as rivals, even when they have not expressed hostility toward one another.
A player can admire another athlete while still pursuing personal goals. Clark’s accomplishments do not reduce Watkins’ achievements, and Watkins’ success does not diminish Clark’s career.
The reported exchange highlights why commentators should allow players to receive recognition on their own terms. A strong performance deserves attention without requiring a comparison designed to create controversy.
Watkins’ Place in USC Basketball
Watkins entered the 2026-27 season as a senior guard and a central figure in USC’s ambitions. Her official roster profile lists her as a 6-foot-2 guard from Los Angeles.
Before missing the 2025-26 season, she averaged 23.9 points and 3.4 assists per game during the 2024-25 campaign. She also earned major individual awards, including the AP National Player of the Year honor.
USC named her Big Ten Player of the Week on November 9, 2026, following the team’s victories over UNLV and Utah State. The recognition marked her eighth career Big Ten Player of the Week award.
What Comes Next for JuJu Watkins and USC?
USC’s early season results have placed the Trojans among the teams attracting attention in women’s college basketball. The team opened the campaign with victories over UNLV and Utah State, and Watkins has played a major role in both wins.
The Trojans were scheduled to host the College of Charleston on November 10. That game offered another opportunity for Watkins and her teammates to build momentum as the season continued.
For Watkins, the immediate focus will be maintaining her form, staying healthy and helping USC compete against strong opponents. Her return is already one of the notable stories of the early college basketball season.
The Bigger Story: Respect and Recognition in Women’s Basketball
The reported exchange involving Watkins and Clark has attracted attention because it touches on a familiar issue in sports media: the tendency to create rivalries between successful athletes.
Watkins’ reported words were brief, but the message was clear. She did not want her performance used as an opportunity to disrespect another player.
Whether fans follow USC, Clark’s professional career or women’s college basketball more broadly, both athletes have earned recognition through their own achievements.
The strongest sports coverage can celebrate those achievements without manufacturing conflict. Watkins’ latest performances deserve attention on their own, just as Clark’s accomplishments deserve respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What did JuJu Watkins reportedly say about Caitlin Clark?
According to HITC, Watkins responded, “No, don’t do that. Don’t do that. Much respect, Eric,” after an announcer reportedly brought Clark into a discussion about her scoring performance.
2. Did JuJu Watkins score 51 points in her November 2026 game?
No. USC’s official recap confirms that Watkins scored 32 points against Utah State on November 8, 2026. Her career-high 51 points came against Stanford on February 2, 2024.
3. How many points did JuJu Watkins score against Utah State?
She scored 32 points and also recorded 16 rebounds, six assists and five steals in USC’s 118-40 victory.
4. Why did JuJu Watkins miss the 2025-26 season?
Watkins missed the season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
5. When did JuJu Watkins return to college basketball?
She returned on November 2, 2026, against UNLV, scoring 21 points in her first game in 588 days.
Disclaimer: This article distinguishes verified game statistics from comments attributed to Watkins in the HITC report. The reported announcer exchange has not been independently confirmed through the official USC game reports reviewed. Game statistics and player information are based on published USC records and may be updated as the season progresses.