JuJu Watkins, who could possibly go down as the greatest college basketball player ever, is signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with State Farm Insurance. She will follow in one of the footsteps of Caitlin Clark, who was State Farm’s first NIL signing last fall. On and off the court, the insurance company believes Watkins exemplifies what it means to be a “good neighbor,” to coin a phrase from the company’s advertisements. In addition to this new NIL deal, State Farm will team up with Klutch Sports Agency and LeBron James‘ UNINTERRUPTED in producing a new documentary about the greatest college freshman hooper ever.
“ ‘On the Rise: JuJu Watkins’ isn’t only about sports — it shows how JuJu’s deep connection to her family and community drive her decision making and dedication to basketball,” said Jamal Henderson, chief content officer of UNINTERRUPTED. “UNINTERRUPTED is committed to delivering unrivaled, intimate access to the lives of athletes and we are excited to have like-minded partners in State Farm, 4.4.Forty Media, KLUTCH and NBC for this amazing project.”
JuJu Watkins, record-breaker
Just last week Watkins broke another college record, adding to her laundry list of broken records. During the second half of the then third-ranked Trojans’ 81-50 victory over Santa Clara on Friday, Nov. 15, Watkins scored her 1,000th career point. The Watkins reached the milestone in her 38th game, which is the second-fastest in NCAA history and two games faster than her predecessor, Clark.
“JuJu can set the standard for excellence on and off the court, and it’s amazing to see her begin to maximize the opportunities in front of her with strategy and expertise, even at this young age,” said Rich Paul, the founder and CEO of KLUTCH Sports Group. “This documentary series captures her incredible journey to this point, showcasing her extraordinary talent, unwavering work ethic, and the vital role of community in her success.”
The first two episodes of the docuseries premiered during the highly anticipated USC vs. Notre Dame matchup on Saturday, Nov. 23. The first two episodes touched on a myriad of topics including why Watkins chose to go to USC, her first time meeting James and doing a commercial with him, and her impact on the Los Angeles community.
Notre Dame defeated Watkins and USC, handing the Women of Troy their first loss of the season, though Watkins again filled up the stat sheet with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block.
