Jayden Daniels’ Mom Hilariously Sits Between Him and JuJu Watkins During NCAA Tourney [Prevent Defense]

Sports Illustrated ^ | Mar 22, 2025 | Matt Ryan

[nickcarraway]

The Washington Commanders quarterback is seen chatting with the USC basketball star during March Madness in Los Angeles.

JuJu Watkins and USC Trojans are must-see TV for this NCAA tournament, or in Washington Commanders star quarterback Jayden Daniels’ case, must-attend. The NFL Rookie of the Year even shared a moment with Watkins in the stands after USC’s opening game, and then another with his mom there.

With the game in Los Angeles, California, at the Galen Center, it was a home game for the Trojans, who dominated despite a couple Watkins injury scares, winning 71-25 over the UNC Greensboro Spartans.

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) grimaces and hold her wrist during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament game against the UNC Greensboro Spartans at Galen Center. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images RELATED: A’ja Wilson has perfect reaction to JuJu Watkins’ little-known middle name

Daniels also showed up back in February to watch Watkins and the Trojans’ win over then No. 1 UCLA. Like Watkins, the 24-year-old NFL Pro Bowler has a deal with Nike.

The two looked like they were engaged in a good conversation as Watkins was smiling while talking to him as ESPN cameras focused on them.

Daniels’ mom Regina Jackson was also there watching hoops with her son and at one point was hilariously seen sitting between the two and talking to Watkins.

Jackson has explained why her son and No. 2 overall NFL draft pick in 2024 remains single. Juju, 19, also isn’t linked to anyone either, and keeps a very private social life.

That’s some serious star power next to each other, though.

What happens if USC meets LSU in the NCAA tournament? Then the former Tigers star QB and his mom would have to root against Watkins, right?

[nickcarraway]

Minutes later:

Mama believes in man to man defense. No INTs.

Video - Mama ain't playing around

Jayden Daniels on 'Them Girls'

I looked up the these facts:

Jayden Daniels turned 24 in December. He played his rookies season last year. He's gotten over $25M of his 4 year/$37.7M contract. (There is a 5th year team option, not sure how much it is.)

Juju Watkins is a sophomore at USC. She's 19, her birthday is in July. She's made between $750k and $1M in NIL money. People say she will be the no. pick in the WNBA draft this year, but she's not eligible for their draft for two years. She would probably be #1 overall any year, except this year.

[dfwgator]

Women’s basketball. Who cares?

[nickcarraway]

He plays in the NFL.

[Jamestown1630]

That’s not the point of the story.

[yesthatjallen]

"That’s not the point of the story."

What is the point of this girl gossip?

[Rummyfan]

Women’s basketball. Who cares?

I agree. ESPN seriously pushes the women's game. Is anyone watching? I mean Page Bueckler was awesome yesterday but still...

[MinorityRepublican]

In America, they all want one thing.

$$$

[montag813]

This is pretty funny. But if only most Black men had mothers who watched them like this. The norm is baby mommas all ‘round the hood, and cue “Gold Digger” (K. West, 2005)

[Jamestown1630]

Jayden is very rich, and his mom is very protective of his interests.

[nickcarraway]

Personally, I doubt Juju Watkins is out for his money. I mean he is a professional athlete, and probably good looking.

[nickcarraway]

The WNBA is incredibly lucky to have players like Caitlyn Clark, Cameron Brick, and upcoming players like Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins who can generate much needed interest in their league.

[Jamestown1630]

She may sincerely like him, and there may be no romantic interest at all; but tens of millions of dollars aren’t lost on any woman I’ve ever known, and Mama knows it, too :-)

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Jayden is very rich, and his mom is very protective of his interests.

I've heard some pro athletes put everything under their mom's name to protect themselves from financial losses due to predatory women. I have no idea if that's a valid financial strategy, but I doubt anyone will protect an athlete's money from other women more ferociously than his mom.

[frank ballenger]

RE: Between Him and JuJu Watkins...

Where else would JuJuBe?

Until he has the candy sponsorship locked up.

https://www.google.com/search?q=images+jujubes+candy&sca_esv=12ec41e0914f8521&udm=2&biw=1052&bih=479&ei=_cLpZ8vXL-OcptQP1qjo

[xp38]

Hey 71-25....A riveting game for sure!

[Jamestown1630]

Her real first name is Judea.

[JusPasenThru]

His mama aint no dog. If she ever becomes single,I’d be up for a little mochochino latte action. I like my women like I like my coffee: without somebody else’s penis in ‘em.

[Jamestown1630]

She’d probably find you too crude.

[nickcarraway]

In the 2010's players were being ripped off by their parents.

One hockey player put his parents in charge of his finances. His bought themselves houses, and plundered his finances.

Not only did they spend all his money. They took out usurious loans, so he was deep in debt. He had just signed a new, favorable deal, but he had to make an arrangement from his team to live on an amount that was about half the league minimum salary just to survive. [He had children.] I wonder if he ever recovered. Professional athletes have a limited shelf life. Also, he refused to press charges against his parents.

One player for the Cowboys gave his mother money to buy a house. She spent it on something else, and demanded he buy her a house. She sent some of his cousins to threaten and beat up his fiance.

[nickcarraway]

That hockey player, Jack Johnson had to declare bankruptcy.

His mother borrowed $15M against his future earnings on very unfavorable terms.

When it was uncovered, he was worth only $50k, but he had $10M in debt, with interest that kept growing.