In just a few seasons, Judea “JuJu Watkins” has gone from Los Angeles prodigy to the most talked-about player in women’s college basketball. As the scoring engine of the USC Trojans women’s basketball and a national player of the year, she has also become one of the most valuable young athletes in any college sport. Naturally, fans want to know: what is JuJu Watkins net worth, how does she earn her money, and how big could her fortune grow?
Because she is still a college athlete and her contracts are private, no one outside her inner circle knows the exact number. But by combining credible public estimates with what we know about her deals, awards, and future earning power, we can build a realistic picture of how rich the USC basketball star already is – and why her financial story is only getting started.
Quick Information Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Judea “JuJu” Watkins |
| Date of Birth | July 15, 2005 |
| Age (2026) | Around 20 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | About 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Position | Guard (scoring playmaker) |
| Current Team | USC Trojans women’s basketball |
| College Conference | Big Ten Conference (USC from 2024–25) |
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | Roughly $1–2 million (approx.) |
| Main Income Sources | NIL deals, endorsements, social media, investments |
Who Is JuJu Watkins?
JuJu Watkins is an American college basketball star who plays guard for the USC Trojans and is widely viewed as a future WNBA franchise player. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she was ranked the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class and arrived at USC with massive expectations, then immediately justified the hype with high-scoring performances and fearless play in big games.
By her sophomore season she had already collected hardware that most players never touch: national player of the year awards from organizations such as the Naismith Trophy, the Wooden Award, and the Associated Press, plus multiple first-team All-America honors. Those accolades, combined with USC’s return to national relevance, turned Watkins into one of the main faces of women’s basketball and a magnet for sponsors.
Early Life, Family, and High School Stardom
Watkins grew up in South Los Angeles in a close family that emphasized discipline and community impact as much as wins. Reports describe her as the youngest of four children, with parents and siblings who pushed her to stay grounded even as her profile exploded. Coaches frequently mention how that support system helped her handle attention, pressure, and early comparisons to past greats.
On the court, she first starred at Windward School before transferring to Sierra Canyon School, where she became the centerpiece of one of the best high-school programs in the country. As a junior she led Sierra Canyon to a California Open Division state title and a 30–2 record, averaging roughly 25 points and double-digit rebounds. That season earned her MaxPreps National Player of the Year and helped her collect major national honors like Gatorade National Player of the Year and Naismith Prep Player of the Year.
College Career at USC and On-Court Dominance
When Watkins chose USC, she stayed in her hometown rather than join an already-stacked power, betting that she could help revive a historic program. From her freshman year she delivered huge scoring nights, regular 30-point games against ranked teams, and a highlight reel that spread quickly across social media and television.
Her sophomore season pushed her into true superstar territory. Watkins became the first Trojan ever to be named AP National Player of the Year and joined Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie as USC winners of the Naismith Trophy. She averaged well over 20 points per game, became the fastest player in program history to reach 1,000 career points, and regularly carried USC in games against top-10 opponents. That dominance is the foundation under every estimate of JuJu Watkins net worth, because brands want to be tied to generational talent.
JuJu Watkins Net Worth in 2026: Best Public Estimates
So how rich is she already? Different outlets give slightly different answers, but they cluster in the same general range. One detailed breakdown links her wealth to her NIL valuation and suggests she has amassed somewhere in the neighborhood of $750,000 to $1 million.
Newer analyses that factor in additional endorsements and growth through late 2025 and early 2026 place JuJu Watkins net worth higher, commonly between $1 million and $2 million. These pieces consider endorsement income, social media campaigns, appearance fees, and early investments, not just a single headline number. Taking these sources together, a fair estimate is that her 2026 net worth sits roughly in the $1–2 million range, with the exact figure depending on how her private contracts are structured and when payments are scheduled.
Because some articles lean more on projected “value” and others try to approximate cash already earned, people will see slightly different numbers online. What matters more than any single figure is the clear picture they paint: Watkins has already reached seven-figure territory before playing a professional minute, and her earnings curve is still bending upward.
Main Income Streams Powering Her Wealth
Endorsement and NIL Partnerships
The biggest driver of JuJu Watkins net worth is her stack of brand partnerships. Reporting from sports business and college athletics outlets shows she has deals with global names across sportswear, beverages, beauty, and financial services. Notable partners include Nike, Gatorade, AT&T, Spotify and several food and beverage brands that feature her in March Madness and digital campaigns.
In 2024 she became the first female college basketball player to sign with NYX Professional Makeup, a widely covered partnership that highlighted her influence in fashion and beauty as well as sports. Later NIL-deal trackers added more blue-chip partners such as United Airlines, State Farm, Fanatics, and a Mercedes-Benz dealer, illustrating how appealing she is to companies looking for a long-term ambassador.
Social Media and Appearances
Endorsements are only one layer. Watkins also benefits from a strong digital presence, with highlight clips, training videos, and lifestyle posts that draw high engagement. Analyses of her finances emphasize that this online influence allows her to command premium rates for sponsored posts and campaigns, adding another important stream on top of her formal NIL contracts.
She can also earn from appearances at camps, events, and branded experiences, especially in Los Angeles where many of her partners and media opportunities are based. Over time, these appearance-based earnings can become a steady background source of income that keeps JuJu Watkins net worth growing even between major signings.
Investments and Long-Term Plays
Watkins has already begun to move into longer-term business territory. One notable example is her investment in Unrivaled, a new women’s basketball league backed by stars from across sports and entertainment, where she is reported to be the youngest investor.
Investments like this may not add huge cash today, but they can change her financial picture over the next decade. If the league gains traction, her early stake could appreciate in value, giving her a meaningful ownership role in the sport’s future and diversifying the assets that sit behind JuJu Watkins net worth.
Education, Personal Life, and Support System
Even with that level of attention and income, Watkins remains a student-athlete. She is enrolled at USC, where she balances classes with travel, practices, and media obligations, all while competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country. Being based in Los Angeles also keeps her close to major entertainment and advertising hubs, making it easier to fit photo shoots and campaigns around her basketball schedule.
Public reporting on her private life is minimal, and there is no evidence she is married; most coverage focuses instead on her family, education, and role as a leader in the women’s game. Articles repeatedly describe the strong influence of her parents, siblings, and long-time coaches, and how that circle has helped her stay humble, prepared, and thoughtful about her platform even as her bank account and fame grow.
Why Brands See JuJu Watkins as a Long-Term Star
From a financial perspective, Watkins sits at the intersection of talent, timing, and story. She is a high-usage scorer with size and flair, playing for a historic program in a huge media market at the exact moment when interest in women’s basketball is exploding. Her highlight plays travel well on social platforms, she speaks comfortably in front of cameras, and she has already shown a willingness to align with brands that fit her personality, from sportswear and beauty to airlines and consumer products.
All of that makes companies comfortable signing multi-year deals rather than one-off campaigns. Each contract adds to JuJu Watkins net worth today, but it also reinforces a feedback loop: strong play leads to more exposure, which attracts more partners, which funds more training and visibility, which then loops back into performance and reach.
Conclusion
JuJu Watkins has already achieved a rare balance for someone barely in her twenties: she is both a generational basketball talent and a young woman who has translated that talent into real financial power. The best available public estimates place JuJu Watkins net worth around $1–2 million in 2026, supported by a deep roster of brand partnerships, strong social-media influence, and forward-looking investments.
Yet the most important part of her story is that she is just getting started. With national awards, record-setting performances, and a rapidly expanding list of partners, Watkins stands at the center of a new era in women’s basketball – one where staying in school can go hand in hand with building serious wealth. For now, the number attached to her name is impressive; what makes it truly exciting is how much room there is for it to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is JuJu Watkins?
JuJu Watkins is a 6’2″ guard for the USC Trojans and one of the biggest stars in women’s college basketball. She was the top recruit in her class and has already become a national player of the year.
What is JuJu Watkins’ estimated net worth?
Public estimates, based mainly on her NIL valuation and endorsements, generally place JuJu Watkins’ net worth in the low seven-figure range (around $1–2 million). The exact number isn’t public because her contracts and earnings are private.
How does JuJu Watkins make most of her money?
Most of her income comes from college NIL deals and brand endorsements with major companies in sports, tech, beauty, and finance. She also earns from social campaigns, media projects, and early investments in women’s sports ventures.
What is JuJu Watkins’ NIL valuation?
Recent NIL rankings and reports list her valuation in the high six-figure to low seven-figure range, with figures around $739,000–$1,000,000 depending on the source and date. Those numbers reflect her huge visibility, engagement and deep portfolio of deals.
Which brands has JuJu Watkins partnered with?
Watkins has signed deals with Nike, Gatorade, AT&T, State Farm, NYX Professional Makeup, Celsius, NerdWallet, Ritz, Wells Fargo and others. These partnerships make her one of the most heavily sponsored athletes in college basketball.
Does JuJu Watkins really earn more than some WNBA rookies?
Yes. At least one detailed breakdown notes her NIL-driven income and net worth already exceed the base salary of a typical WNBA rookie, thanks to high-value brand deals and bonuses.
How old is JuJu Watkins and where is she from?
JuJu Watkins was born on July 15, 2005, which puts her around 20 years old in 2026. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.
What position does JuJu Watkins play for USC?
She plays primarily as a scoring guard, operating as both a shooting guard and point guard for the USC Trojans. Her mix of size, ball-handling and shot-making makes her the focal point of USC’s offense.
What major awards has JuJu Watkins won in college?
Watkins has already won the Naismith College Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award, AP Player of the Year, and multiple national player of the year honors. She’s also a multi-time consensus first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year.
How good was JuJu Watkins in high school?
In high school at Sierra Canyon, she averaged about 25 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.9 blocks on a 30–2 state-title team. That season earned her MaxPreps National Player of the Year and cemented her status as an elite recruit.
Did JuJu Watkins suffer a serious injury?
Yes. She tore the ACL in her right knee during the 2025 NCAA Tournament and later announced she would sit out the 2025–26 season to fully recover, though she remains a central figure around USC and the sport.
Is JuJu Watkins married, and does she have children?
No credible public reporting indicates that she is married or has children at this time. Coverage instead focuses on her family in Los Angeles, her college career at USC, and her growing influence in women’s sports and business.
FOR MORE : INSIDE FAME
