Caitlin Clark makes classy gesture to wonderkid who could be a major threat

has served up a classy gesture to wonderkid Juju Watkins, who could prove a threat to the former's WNBA crown.

Clark has been a revelation in the WNBA this year, helping drive popularity ratings for the league through the roof.

Viewership, ticket sales and merchandise have all increased since Clark made her professional debut for the Indiana Fever, with her performances helping her dominate the Rookie of the Year award.

She only missed out on one of the 67 votes from the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, with everyone wanting a piece of Clark mania.

But such has been the 22-year-old's success, attention has already switched to who the 'next Caitlin Clark' might end up being, with Watkins currently in the conversation.

Watkins will have to wait a while before making her WNBA debut though, given she only began life as a college basketballer last year.

But Watkins has been tipped for big things, with WNBA star Clark leading the charge.

Reminiscing a conversation between the pair, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb told Orange County Register: "She [Clark to Watkins] was like, 'I had the attention for a year and a half, two years. You're going to have it for the next three."

A bold claim from Clark, but one Watkins has so far stood up to.

And the 19-year-old even extended a thank you to Clark in a recent interview, suggesting her words of wisdom have helped Watkins handle the limelight.

Watkins said: "She's great. Goes to show how good a person she is outside of basketball.

"To have that kind of mentorship and that relationship with her, it definitely means a lot.

"She's had the biggest impact on women's basketball and being able to see her journey is really inspiring."

While Watkins will have to wait another couple of seasons before entering the WNBA - a trajectory she already looks set for - next year's campaign is already being spoken about.

Clark's Fever were dumped out in the first round of this year's playoffs, with some already predicting Indiana to go further next year.

In ESPN's initial power rankings following this month's WNBA final, - a decision that sparked plenty of debate among WNBA fans.

The 2025 edition of the WNBA kicks off in April, with all eyes on Clark to see if she can replicate her astonishing debut campaign.