USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins, Duke standout freshman Cooper Flagg, and projected first overall pick in the WNBA Draft Paige Bueckers are the stars of the Gatorade March Madness Campaign.
The three basketball stars are featured in Gatorade’s latest commercial, which was released Monday. The commercial provides the athletes’ perspectives on how they overcome distractions to succeed in their careers.
Trio Elated With Gatorade Campaign
In the commercial titled “The Take,” UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers, USC sophomore guard and Big 10 Player of Year Juju Watkins, and Duke freshman forward Cooper Flagg discuss how “it” isn’t only about the efforts they have to put it, but the criticism they have to accept as well.
The 30-second commercial shows highlights of the three basketball stars on the court.
“I took their stomping, their yelling, their noise, takes, time, comment, their love. I took everything from them,” Bueckers says in the commercial.
JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers and Cooper Flagg for @Gatorade 🧡✌️#IsItInYou? ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/aEvnCcuzuV
— Watkins Report (@JWatkinsReport) March 17, 2025
“—And when I’m out there, all I hear is ‘ball,’” Watkins says as she rounds up Bueckers’ thoughts.
“Our brand has a storied history of partnering with generational young talent and fueling them on their way to being some of the greatest athletes in the world,” Gatorade Global Head of Sports Marketing Jeff Kearney said. “Our college basketball campaign is all about elevating the voices of those athletes and spotlighting all that they put in to win.”
Paige Bueckers says she finds the Gatorade Campaign rewarding as she looks back at what she has achieved so far in her career. The American was the first-ever college athlete to sign a deal with Gatorade as part of a NIL deal.
“Having been the first NIL athlete on the Gatorade roster, it’s extremely rewarding to look back at all we’ve accomplished together over the last few years,” the 23-year-old said in a statement about the commercial. “Gatorade has fueled me throughout the highs and lows of my college career, and I’m excited to see what lies ahead for us in the future.”
Meanwhile, Watkins is collaborating with Gatorade on something bigger. The 19-year-old signed her NIL deal with the brand in October 2024 and is working with the brand on a limited-edition Gatorade Squeeze Bottle that features both her signature and her mantra: “Without struggle, there is no progress.”
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18-year-old Cooper Flagg also joined Gatorade in October. The Blue Devil’s forward is currently in the midst of an injury he suffered in the ACC Tournament.
“This is my first Gatorade campaign since becoming a Gatorade athlete,” Flagg said. “I grew up watching the greats in iconic Gatorade commercials, and to now be in one myself alongside such talented athletes is surreal.”
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