USC basketball star JuJu Watkins has attracted considerable attention beyond the basketball court because of her friendship with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Their public appearances, playful interactions and shared sporting connections have repeatedly sparked dating rumors. However, despite the speculation surrounding the two athletes, neither has confirmed that their friendship is romantic.
JuJu Watkins does not have a publicly confirmed boyfriend as of November 2026. The American basketball player has been linked to NFL quarterback Jayden Daniels and college basketball player DJ Wagner, but neither connection has been officially identified as a romantic relationship. Watkins has generally kept her private life away from public discussion while concentrating on her basketball career.
Who Is JuJu Watkins’ Boyfriend?
JuJu Watkins has not publicly announced that she is dating anyone.
The USC Trojans basketball star is one of the most recognizable young athletes in women’s college basketball, making her personal life a frequent subject of online curiosity.
Her growing popularity has encouraged fans to examine her interactions with other athletes, particularly Jayden Daniels.
Photographs, social media posts and public appearances have contributed to speculation about her relationship status.
However, there is no verified confirmation that Watkins and Daniels are boyfriend and girlfriend.
Watkins has also been connected to DJ Wagner, although their friendship dates back to their younger basketball years.
Neither rumored relationship should be treated as confirmed without a direct statement from those involved.
Jayden Daniels Dating Rumors
Jayden Daniels is an NFL quarterback for the Washington Commanders and one of the athletes most frequently linked to Watkins.
The two have appeared together at sporting events, attracting attention from fans of both football and basketball.
Their connection became particularly noticeable when they were seen sitting courtside together during March Madness.
Social media users began discussing whether their public appearances suggested a romantic relationship.
The speculation intensified after reports that they left Watkins’ birthday celebration together.
However, attending events together does not establish that two people are dating.
Watkins and Daniels have never publicly confirmed a romantic relationship, despite the attention surrounding their friendship.
Both athletes have maintained a degree of privacy regarding their personal lives.
Their Viral Handshake
One of the most widely discussed moments involving Watkins and Daniels occurred at SoFi Stadium.
The pair were filmed sharing a playful handshake following a football game.
Their comfortable interaction quickly circulated across social media platforms.
Fans interpreted the exchange in different ways, with some suggesting that the handshake indicated a particularly close relationship.
Others pointed out that the moment could simply reflect a friendship between two prominent athletes.
The video attracted attention because both Watkins and Daniels have substantial fan followings.
Their shared Southern California connections have also helped explain why they might spend time together.
The viral handshake was not accompanied by any relationship announcement.
It remains an example of how an ordinary interaction between public figures can generate widespread romantic speculation.
Their Nike Connection
Watkins and Daniels have another important connection through their relationships with Nike.
Both athletes have been associated with the sportswear company through endorsement and promotional activities.
Their shared professional interests have created opportunities for their careers to overlap.
Fans also noticed Daniels wearing a Nike shirt featuring Watkins’ image.
The clothing choice generated additional discussion about whether he was publicly supporting someone special.
However, athletes frequently support friends and fellow brand ambassadors through clothing, promotional appearances and social media interactions.
Daniels’ decision to wear the shirt does not establish a romantic relationship.
Their Nike connection offers a professional explanation for some of their public interactions.
JuJu Watkins and DJ Wagner
Before the speculation involving Jayden Daniels, Watkins was linked to college basketball player DJ Wagner.
Wagner became widely recognized as a talented young basketball prospect before playing at the collegiate level.
The two athletes were familiar with each other through competitive youth basketball circles.
They also attracted attention after attending high school prom events together.
Photographs from those occasions encouraged speculation that they were romantically involved.
However, Watkins and Wagner have been described as close friends rather than a confirmed couple.
Their shared interest in basketball and similar experiences as highly recruited young athletes helped establish their connection.
The friendship continued attracting attention as both developed their sporting careers.
Their Nike Advertisement
Watkins and Wagner also appeared together in a Nike Basketball advertisement.
The promotional collaboration highlighted their talent and growing recognition within the basketball community.
Both athletes had already established strong reputations through their performances at the high school level.
Their appearance in the campaign attracted interest because fans were familiar with their friendship.
Some social media users interpreted their chemistry in the advertisement as evidence of a romantic connection.
However, the collaboration was a professional marketing project.
There was no verified announcement that the two were dating.
Their association demonstrates how friendships between prominent young athletes can become subjects of speculation even when they are working together professionally.
Who Is JuJu Watkins?
JuJu Watkins, whose full name is Judea Skies Watkins, was born on July 15, 2005, in Los Angeles, California.
She developed an interest in basketball at a young age and quickly became recognized for her scoring ability.
Watkins attended Sierra Canyon School, where she emerged as one of the country’s most highly regarded high school basketball players.
Her performances attracted attention from major college basketball programs.
She eventually committed to the University of Southern California.
Watkins made an immediate impact after joining the USC Trojans, demonstrating an ability to score from different areas of the court.
Her performances helped increase national interest in USC women’s basketball.
She has also become an important figure in the growing popularity of women’s college sports.
Her Basketball Career
Watkins established herself as a leading college basketball player during her freshman season at USC.
Her scoring performances earned widespread recognition and numerous individual honors.
She continued developing her reputation as one of the country’s most exciting young players.
During the 2024-25 season, Watkins helped USC remain competitive at the national level.
However, she suffered a serious knee injury during the NCAA tournament in March 2025.
The injury involved a torn anterior cruciate ligament, requiring surgery and rehabilitation.
Her recovery became an important part of her basketball journey.
Rather than focusing exclusively on her personal life, Watkins has devoted considerable attention to returning to competitive basketball.
Her athletic development remains the main reason for her national recognition.
Her Private Life
Despite her popularity, Watkins has generally avoided sharing detailed information about her romantic relationships.
Her public appearances are usually connected to basketball, brand partnerships or sporting events.
She has also developed a substantial following among younger basketball fans.
As her visibility has increased, so has public interest in her friendships and personal activities.
However, Watkins has not made dating a central subject of her public identity.
Her approach allows her to maintain personal boundaries while pursuing a demanding athletic career.
It also means that online rumors should not be confused with confirmed information.
Is JuJu Watkins Single?
JuJu Watkins has not publicly confirmed a boyfriend or announced an exclusive romantic relationship.
Her friendship with Jayden Daniels has generated repeated speculation because of their appearances together at sporting events and social gatherings.
Their viral handshake and shared Nike connections have contributed to the discussion.
Similarly, her earlier friendship with DJ Wagner attracted attention because of their prom appearances and basketball collaboration.
However, neither connection has been confirmed as romantic.
As of November 2026, JuJu Watkins’ relationship status remains publicly unconfirmed, and she has no officially identified boyfriend. Her basketball career, recovery journey and growing influence in women’s sports continue to define her public profile more than the rumors surrounding her dating life.