Caitlin Clark singles out JuJu Watkins during Iowa retirement jersey speech

Caitlin Clark heaped praise on USC star guard JuJu Watkins during her highly-anticipated return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena .

On Sunday, Clark was in attendance for Iowas upset 76-69 win over No.

4 seed USC.

Moments after the final whistle sounded in the Hawkeyes victory, the Indiana Fever guard took center stage as her college jersey was retired.

Less than one minute into her retirement speech, Clark shouted out the Trojans for putting up a good fight - but particularly singled out Watkins and her performance.

The 19-year-old finished the contest with 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals on 8-of-22 shooting from the field.

"And obviously, USC, good luck the rest of the way," Clark said.

"Im a big fan of all of you.

JuJu, you were awesome, and Lindsay [Gottlieb], you do a great job.

It's fun to be here and watch you guys.

Earlier in the afternoon, Clark was asked if shes frequently spoken with Watkins, whos similarly attracted thousands of new fans to womens basketball thanks to her exciting style of play.

"I've talked to JuJu a little bit.

Obviously, I kinda watch from a distance.

Honestly, more than anything, I just try to be supportive, Clark said while making a guest appearance on the FOX broadcast.

"She doesn't need my help.

She's obviously really talented and her game speaks for itself.

She's so fun to watch, and as you can tell our entire scouting report: Number 12, that's all its about.

Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news We have so much respect for her.

Shes only a sophomore, shes gonna get so much better and she already is really good.

So its scary to think about.

Speaking to reporters during a postgame press conference, Watkins returned the favor by commending Clark and all shes done for the sport.

Discussing the 23-year-olds retirement ceremony, she said: "It was great.

Just to see the love that she gets from her community, and everybody in the stands.

I'm a big fan of hers, so to see her get her flowers, it's amazing.

I love when we play in front of a big crowd and that was what today was.

Just the energy from everybody, it was electrifying, Watkins added.

Its just a testament to what Caitlins done and the direction that the sport is heading in.

So Im super grateful to have a part in it.

Though fans and pundits alike believe Watkins will soon follow in Clarks footsteps and achieve international fame, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb encouraged the sophomore phenom to pave her own path.

Caitlin opened the door to so many new basketball fans, and I dont think we ever compared JuJu or Kiki [Iriafen], or our team to Caitlin in that way, Gottlieb said.

But this progress for womens basketball, I want them to be able to do it and write their own story.

And obviously the attention on it is something that theyve stepped into and handled it really well.

I dont think womens basketball is gonna turn back..

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