In a candid and thought-provoking podcast interview, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley dropped a bombshell prediction about the future of women’s basketball. Barkley boldly claimed that University of Southern California (USC) star Juju Watkins, a sophomore sensation, is destined to take over as the new face of women’s basketball, surpassing current Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark, who has dominated headlines for her explosive performances over the past three years.

“Juju is special. I’ve seen her play live, and she’s just different,” Barkley said on the podcast. “I give all the credit in the world to Caitlin for what she’s done for the sport, but Juju Watkins is on another level. She’s going to be the face of the WNBA, and I tell all those bitter, angry girls in the WNBA right now who are upset about Caitlin Clark – move over, because Juju is coming!”

Watkins, who was a standout freshman last season, has been making waves with her incredible performances and high basketball IQ. Barkley emphasized that she has the potential to not only compete with Clark but to potentially overshadow her in the coming years, creating one of the most exciting rivalries in women’s sports.

A New Era for Women’s Basketball

For years, Caitlin Clark has been heralded as the future of women’s basketball. Her remarkable shooting ability, leadership, and star presence have brought unprecedented attention to the sport, even drawing comparisons to NBA legends. However, Barkley’s comments suggest that the spotlight may soon shift as Watkins emerges as a rival who could redefine the competition.

“I’ve met Caitlin, she’s a superstar, no doubt,” Barkley continued. “But when you see Juju play, it’s something else. It’s like seeing an athlete who’s ahead of her time – she could go toe-to-toe with anyone. I’m not sure people are ready for how big this rivalry could get. Caitlin Clark is a supernova, but Juju might just be the better player.”

Shaping the Future of the WNBA

Beyond the rivalry between Clark and Watkins, Barkley sees this as an opportunity for a transformative moment in women’s basketball. He lamented the WNBA’s inability to fully capitalize on the star power of athletes like Clark and predicted that these two players could reshape not just the WNBA but women’s sports as a whole.

“What we have here is a layup,” Barkley said. “The WNBA needs to embrace this rivalry. Juju Watkins and Caitlin Clark are the future of women’s basketball, and if the league doesn’t find a way to leverage this, they’re going to miss out. This is the kind of rivalry that could drive massive interest in the sport.”

In his typical candid style, Barkley didn’t hold back from criticizing the WNBA for what he views as its failure to attract mainstream attention despite the talent within the league. “Right now, the WNBA is dropping the ball. They’re trying to push all the wrong narratives instead of focusing on the actual talent. Caitlin Clark brought excitement, and Juju will take it to the next level. But if they don’t get their act together, someone else will.”

Barkley hinted at the potential for a new league to emerge, fueled by the star power of players like Clark and Watkins. “In a properly operating America, there would be billionaires out there who see this opportunity and create a legitimate alternative to the WNBA. Just Juju and Caitlin together could wipe out the WNBA if they’re not careful.”

A Missed Opportunity for Women’s Basketball?

Barkley’s suggestion to build a new league around these rising stars is a provocative one. According to the former NBA player, women’s basketball has the chance to explode in popularity, but the current leadership isn’t fully tapping into that potential. Instead of pushing players like Clark and Watkins, the WNBA is pushing narratives that Barkley believes aren’t resonating with fans.

“They’ve tried to force-feed these storylines that just don’t connect with the audience,” Barkley said. “Asia Wilson is a great player, but the way they’re marketing the league is off. What people really want to see are rivalries, legends in the making, and those two [Clark and Watkins] could be exactly that. They’re the real deal.”

The Rivalry That Could Define a Generation

As the women’s basketball season approaches, all eyes will be on Clark and Watkins. Caitlin Clark has already established herself as a household name in college sports, with her dynamic playmaking and sharpshooting capturing the hearts of fans across the country. However, with Watkins gaining momentum, the narrative could shift.

Barkley is calling it: this could be the rivalry that defines the next decade of women’s basketball. Not Angel Reese, not A’ja Wilson, but Caitlin Clark and Juju Watkins are poised to take over the court and potentially elevate the sport to new heights.

“For the next 10, 12, 15 years, it’s going to be these two running the show,” Barkley concluded. “Caitlin brought excitement back to women’s basketball, and now it’s Juju’s turn. The WNBA has an opportunity here. They better not blow it.”

With both players poised for greatness, basketball fans everywhere are gearing up for what promises to be one of the most compelling and exciting rivalries in sports – one that could ultimately change the face of women’s basketball forever.