JuJu Watkins Returns to Court, Fueling USC's National Championship Ambitions After ACL Recovery

One of women's college basketball's most prominent young talents, JuJu Watkins, has made her much-anticipated return to the court. The standout Southern California guard spent the previous season on the sidelines, diligently rehabilitating a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

During her initial two seasons with the USC Trojans, Watkins showcased exceptional scoring prowess, averaging 25.6 points per game. Her return this year sees her rejoin a skilled roster as the third-ranked Trojans set their sights on clinching their first national championship since 1984.

Anticipation Builds for On-Court Return

Watkins openly expressed her excitement for the season ahead. "It’s on my mind every day," she stated. "So much anticipation has gone into this year. I want it really badly, but also in a healthy way. I just want to have fun and really enjoy this year." She also shared her vivid imagination of hitting her first basket back in competitive play. "I’ve had dreams about that every night. I might shed a tear, honestly, I can’t lie," Watkins admitted. "That’ll be a really amazing feeling for me."

In a recent exhibition victory against California, Watkins delivered an impressive performance, scoring 18 points in just 22 minutes, providing an early indication of the significant impact her comeback could have on the team.

A Deep Roster Bolsters Championship Aspirations

Watkins is set to form a dynamic backcourt partnership with Jazzy Davidson, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season after averaging 17.9 points. Though this marks their inaugural season playing alongside each other, their bond began to form while Watkins was recovering from the injury she sustained in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. During this period, Watkins was frequently observed offering encouragement to Davidson from the sidelines.

"She saw me being hard on myself and I think she saw a little bit of her in me," Davidson shared, "and so she kind of knew what it was like going through that. Being able to build the friendship that we were able to build, it’s a huge blessing."

The Trojans' roster boasts a wealth of talent, including guard Saniyah Hall, who contributed 23 points, six rebounds, and five steals in their exhibition game, and forward Sara Okeke, one of three five-star recruits added to the squad. Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed confidence in her new additions, stating, "They have proven that they’re going to be really impactful players at a high level."

Leadership Evolved Through Adversity

During the previous season, while recovering, Watkins found unique ways to contribute, such as arranging chairs in the locker room for team discussions during road trips. This demonstrated her commitment to the team even when she couldn't play. "I was able to take on a leadership role for sure, and I can’t say I really owned that role prior to that," she reflected. "Being able to do that and also see the game from a different perspective and seeing how can I help my team really helped grow my IQ and leadership skills."

The Trojans will officially commence their season on Monday in Las Vegas, facing UNLV as part of the Hall of Fame Series.