WNBA star Caitlin Clark has become a major figure in women’s basketball, not only for her impressive rookie season but also for the way she has drawn new attention to the sport.
However, the landscape of the WNBA is set to evolve even further as NCAA stars like JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers prepare to make their leap into the league.
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley weighed in on this dynamic during an episode of Throwbacks with Matt Leinart and Jerry Ferrara, offering insight into what’s to come.
While JuJu Watkins still has some time before she can join the WNBA due to the league’s minimum age requirement of 22, Barkley didn’t hold back his praise for the USC standout.
He discussed how both Clark and Watkins are destined to shape the future of the WNBA and offered predictions on how the competition between these two stars will play out.
The Rising Giants of Women’s Basketball
Barkley was quick to recognize the enormous contributions Caitlin Clark has made to women’s basketball, but he also hinted that her reign could soon be rivaled by Watkins.
He urged current WNBA players to acknowledge the game-changing impact Clark has made while emphasizing the exceptional talent Watkins brings to the table.
“I tell all those girls in the WNBA who are upset about Caitlin Clark to move over more because JuJu is special,” Barkley said. “Caitlin has done so much for women’s basketball over the last few years, and it’s been incredible. But JuJu, she’s the real deal.”
According to Barkley, Watkins may even have the potential to surpass Clark in skill, sparking what could be a longstanding rivalry.
“Caitlin is a superstar, but JuJu might be the better player. Those two women are going to dominate the WNBA for the next 10 to 20 years,” Barkley predicted.
Napheesa Collier and the Lynx-Liberty WNBA Finals
In addition to his thoughts on Clark and Watkins, Barkley also gave his take on the ongoing WNBA Finals, which sees the Minnesota Lynx battling the New York Liberty.
In the opening game of the finals, the Lynx secured a thrilling 95-93 overtime victory, leaving Barkley impressed by Lynx star Napheesa Collier.
“Napheesa Collier is just an absolute beast,” Barkley said. “I’m picking the Lynx to beat the Liberty. I think they’re going to surprise everyone.”
He expressed concerns about the Liberty possibly running out of steam after their hard-fought series against the Las Vegas Aces.
Meanwhile, Barkley suggested that the Lynx might have what it takes to win it all this year, labeling them as a potential “team of destiny.”
With rising talents like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins poised to lead the next era of the WNBA, and current stars like Napheesa Collier making waves in the finals, it’s an exciting time for women’s basketball.
According to Barkley, the league is in great hands for years to come, with the best action still ahead.
