JuJu Watkins Returns as USC Chases Its First Title Since 1984

JuJu Watkins will resume her college career after sitting out last season to recover from a torn ACL. The Southern California guard averaged 25.6 points across her first two seasons, and now joins a deep roster with the third-ranked Trojans seeking their first national championship since 1984.

Watkins scored 18 points in 22 minutes in USC’s recent exhibition win over California. She said she has imagined seeing her first basket go in and is eager to play, while also wanting to enjoy the season. Her injury occurred during round two of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

She will share the backcourt with Jazzy Davidson, last season’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year, who averaged 17.9 points. The two developed a bond while Watkins was sidelined and Davidson played. Davidson said Watkins understood the pressure she put on herself and helped her through it.

USC also brings back guard Saniyah Hall, who totaled 23 points, six boards and five steals during the exhibition, and adds forward Sara Okeke, among its trio of five-star recruits. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb said the newcomers had shown they could make an impact.

Watkins said her time away helped her grow as a leader and study the game. USC opens Monday in Las Vegas against UNLV, then faces a challenging early schedule that includes a November 15 visit to top-ranked South Carolina and December matchups with Notre Dame and Duke in Las Vegas.